The Tucson Madonnari in partnership with the Downtown Tucson Partnership “It’s Happening Downtown Inc.” will celebrate the Third Annual Tucson Madonnari Chalk Art Festival April 26th 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. in the Joel D. Valdez Main Library Plaza with a special Sunday Picnic Chalk Art viewing on April 27th.

This years’ festival will feature new and established Madonnari artists rendering their art on the plaza bricks, and 4 established artists collaborating on giant chalk art murals, adding a new dramatic element to the festival. The day will be energized with special mc guests, international music and dance, University of Arizona Poetry Center Corrido performers, extraordinary car art, and interactive art projects for all ages. A great selection of food and beverages will be available for purchase, and a special dessert and espresso bistro will be on site to tempt anyone and everyone. Daytime activities at The Joel D. Valdez Main Library will include the 13th Annual High School Art Invitational inside the library, and Plaza Poetry, featuring area high school student poets reading original work.

The Annual Chalk Art Festival attracts thousands of people to Tucson’s downtown core. Adults and children enjoy watching professional artists and local youth apprentices create renditions of masterpiece Renaissance paintings and contemporary works in chalk, on the smooth bricks of the plaza throughout the day. The day will begin with the Arizona premiere bell choir, Sonoran Bells, calling in the festival with obscure classical songs and original pieces. Mid-afternoon will feature a fusion of Middle eastern and flamenco music and dance and contemporary youth performance from Art in Reality. The late afternoon brings 10-piece, high-energy, salsa and meringue music to the plaza ,with Orquestra la Unica, highlighting special guest salsa dancers from around the city. Everyone is invited to dance!
Visit www.downtowntucson.org for information about this festival and other Downtown Saturdays events. For a list of participating artists please visit the gallery page.

Schedule of the day:

11AM Sonoran Bells

Tucson’s 12-member premiere bell choir opens the festival with haunting and beautiful classical music and original pieces.

12PM University of Arizona Poetry Center Corrido performers

Mexican folk ballads and poetry from professionals and those new to the form.

1PM Algeciras

Music and dances from the strait of Gibraltar region featuring, Kalid El Boujami (Oud player extraordinaire) Sophia Everett (Flamenco dance and percussion), and special guests.

2PM Plaza Poetry and Art in Reality (A.I.R.)
Original poetry from an all-city-wide pool of talented Tucson high school students, presented by the Joel D. Valdez library.

Art in Reality djs spin music in between sets, with dancers rounding out the performance. Additional A.I.R. participants present other programmatic highlights featuring music, dance and Brazilian martial arts.

4PM Orquestra la Unica
10 piece salsa and meringue orchestra featuring special guests: Soulseros Dancers
Big Latin orchestra sound in the plaza, creating a celebratory atmosphere at the end of the daywith dancers from all over the city!

Jose Benavides: Madonna Art Car display
Creative Machines: Digital sound machine garden in the mesquite bosque!
Joel D. Valdez library: Books, Books, Books! Open all day!
Interactive Chalk Art areas for the entire family
Dessert Bistro: with Italian espresso, gelato and fine pastries.
Barbeque and Italian delicacies and more!

For more information contact:
Artistic Director, Leia Maahs: 520-903-4175 or
Production Director, Barbara Zelano: 520-548-0471
e-mail: tucsonimadonari@yahoo.com

You can see a slideshow of the 2006 Festival artwork at Arizona Daily Star website.