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Arts in the Plaza
Fine Art & Jazz Festival

October 19 & 20, 2019
​9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, both days

Arts in the Plaza showcases fine art from the region’s most exquisite artists throughout the charming setting of St. Philip’s Plaza.  A limited capacity, juried art festival, that embraces the creativity of our region.  Attendees can find fine art in all forms – metalwork, jewelry, photography, ceramics, glass, mixed media, acrylic, digital art, leather, sculpture and custom wood designs as well as live musical entertainment. 

Why?

The festival was established to showcase and highlight the immense talent of local fine artisans in our region.  The festival also provides an opportunity for local artisans to exhibit, sell and promote their art and craft in the community in a tranquil Southern Arizona locale.  The event also seeks to collaborate with local Tucson businesses located at the St. Philip’s Plaza. 

Free Admission

There is no cost to attend the art festival.

Event Partners

Location

St. Philip’s Plaza
4280 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718

​St. Philip’s Plaza is a landmark in Tucson, well known for the beauty of its fountains, tile art, rose gardens, and towering Eucalyptus trees. The Plaza offers boutique shopping, galleries, restaurants, and professional offices. It is located in central Tucson, next to the historic St. Philip’s Church.

Get Involved

​Sponsorship Information
​Become an event sponsor.
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​Exhibitor Application
​Reserve your space to exhibit as a nonprofit or business exhibitor at the festival.  
Performers & Activities
If you are interested in performing in the Jazz Showcase please contact SAACA for availability for the main stage and strolling performances.

2019 Entertainment

The festival features two days of live jazz in the festival spaces and center courtyard.  The St. Philip's Plaza is an open air outdoor shopping center, with winding walkways, courtyards and cobblestone streets.

Saturday October 19
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Frim Fram Trio (Classics and Standards)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Cynthia Hilts (Great American Songbook)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Nathaniel Burnside Duo (Flamenco and Latin Jazz)
 
Sunday October 20
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Gus Woodrow Duo (Guitar Jazz)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Troy Gray (Flamenco and Latin Jazz)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Elisabeth Geel & Ed Delucia (Originals and New Jazz)
Frim Fram Trio (Classics and Standards)
Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Frim Fram Trio plays in the style of the legendary Nat King Cole trio, with recognizable favorites like “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, “Paper Moon”, and “Sunny Side of the Street” in their setlist, while also featuring a good amount of music made famous by Diana Krall. Susan Artemis fronts the band on vocal and piano with Tony Spear on guitar and Michael Grigsby on standup bass. 
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Learn more about this group at: https://www.facebook.com/Frim-Fram-Trio-569706223553367/ 
Cynthia Hilts (Great American Songbook)
​Saturday, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
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Cynthia Hilts is a jazz pianist equally talented as a vocalist, composer and bandleader. Her jazz sextet, “No Fiction”, was a featured performer at the 2019 Tucson Jazz Festival, and her other ensembles have performed in festivals, concerts and clubs in Tucson, New York City, and internationally. She has released four records to strong acclaim. NYC Jazz Record described her most recent record, Lyric Fury, as “never short of either surprising twists or humor, always colorful and lively” (Scott Yanow). At the keys and while leading a band, Cynthia's interpretations of the Great American Songbook and her original songs keep audiences enchanted and captivated.  

​For more information about this group please visit: http://cynthiahilts.com  
Nathaniel Burnside Duo (Flamenco and Latin Jazz)
Saturday, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Nathaniel Burnside has been exposed to a wealth of different music styles. He draws mostly from Flamenco music’s distinctive rhythm patterns and tones, as well as Latin, Jazz and Arabic music undertones. He has performed throughout the southwest for the past 12 years and continues in evolving his sound. 

For more information about this group, please visit: https://www.nathanielburnside.com 
Gus Woodrow Duo (Guitar Jazz)
Sunday, ​10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Gus Woodrow Trio features Gus Woodrow (guitar), Angelo Versace (organ), and Casey Hadland (drums). Formed in 2016 through mutual gigs, the group has played extensively throughout Arizona. With influences ranging from Wes Montgomery and Thelonious Monk to Kurt Rosenwinkle and Herbie Hancock, the Trio always provide a listening experience that is both soothingly nostalgic and virtuosically enthralling. They perform regularly at Maynard's Kitchen every other Friday, where they bring their signature laid back hard bop atmosphere to their followers. 
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For more information about this group, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/Gus-Woodrow-233942803410146/ 
Troy Gray (Flamenco and Latin Jazz)
​Sunday, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Troy Gray Duo, Flamenco Guitarist, has been playing guitar for 30 years and has performed quite often in Arizona and Colorado. One of the most in demand flamenco guitarists, he performs weekly in resorts, clubs, theaters and festivals throughout Southern Arizona. He performs solo as well as with other wonderful, accomplished musicians such as Native American Music Awards "Artist Of The Year" classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala and six-time Grammy Nominee percussionist Will Clipman. 

Learn more about this group at www.troygrayguitar.com 
Elisabeth Geel & Ed Delucia (Originals and New Jazz) 
Sunday, ​2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 

Elisabeth's musical travels initiated in the Netherlands, where she was born and raised. As a child she was surrounded by art and music: her father was a musician in his spare time and her mother was a passionate painter. At the age of twelve Elisabeth received her first guitar and began writing songs, inspired by the great American songwriters of the seventies. Elisabeth was (and still is) always divided between her two great passions: visual art and music. Upon her return to Europe she initially made a living as a free-lance illustrator for book publishers and advertising agencies in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy – where she took up residence in 1982.  In 1992 she made a radical career change by signing a contract with a Dutch booking agent to work as a vocalist at luxury resorts around the world. In 2002, after ten years of touring Europe, The Middle East, and Asia, she settled down in Italy and took a sabbatical year to work on her visual art and to compose new music. During that year she wrote the songs for her debut album, So Cool, and formed a band to bring her own compositions and jazz standards. Elisabeth now calls Tucson home and released her third solo album of originals, Looking In From the Outside, in December, 2016. She is joined by Ed Delucia on bass. 
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Learn more about this group at https://elisabethgeel.com/ 

2019 Exhibitors

2019 Food Vendors and Restaurant Special Offerings 

Saturday October 19
10 AM - 3 PM: Brunch Specials in Reforma, Union and Proof
10 AM - 3 PM: $20 Mimosa Passport - Wristband for bottomless Mimosas at Reforma, Union, and Proof Restaurants
Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics - 10% off Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
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Sunday October 20
10 AM - 3 PM: Brunch Specials in Reforma, Union and Proof
10 AM - 3 PM: $20 Mimosa Passport - Wristband for bottomless Mimosas at Reforma, Union, and Proof Restaurants
Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics - 10% off Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Festival Tips

Parking is available free of charge at St. Philip's Plaza.  Although parking is available surrounding the shopping center, when the lot is full, attendees are encourage to park on the Southwest corner of Campbell Ave and River Road, at the Cambric Corporate Center.  Please keep the weather in mind when you attend outdoor events and plan accordingly (bring water bottles, sunscreen, umbrellas, jackets, etc).  Dogs are allowed at the event on leashes.  A SAACA Information booth will be located in a central location onsite, to help answer any questions you may have onsite.  Food and beverages are available at St. Philip's Plaza restaurants onsite.  Visit the St. Philip's Plaza for a list of onsite restaurants.

Special Thanks To Our 2019 Event Sponsors

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About
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The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts. SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.