This Is Tucson

Artist Greta Ruekgauer and her block print pieces at her first market. From her childhood in New Mexico to Tucson’s Sonoran Desert, artist Greta Ruekgauer has found constant inspiration in the desert landscape and Americana of the Southwest. Using thrifted clothing as a canvas, Ruekgauer, the artist behind Stubbornworn, captures the spirit of the Wild West in her illustrative block print designs, depicting cowgirls, bison and galloping mustangs.

The summer doldrums came early for Ken Foy's Dante's restaurant. "We're used to being broke August and September," he said of his midtown gastropub's annual summer slowdown. "We started getting broke May and June this year." Foy estimated it costs around $10,000 a month just to open the doors of his restaurant at 2526 E. Grant Road. That covers rent and utilities; the cost of food and manpower adds a whole other level of financial hardship.

“I’m not in Tucson anymore,” I thought to myself as I drove past the metal sculpture of a rugged cowboy riding his trusty steed in Downtown Marana. It was like I was picked up by a tornado and dropped into a technicolor world filled with hidden gems and cowboy boots.

What began as a passion for design and antiques between friends Simon Carson, Lorri Boffo and Timothy Reynolds has grown into a dream business and a space for community connection among Tucson vintage lovers. Gather a Vintage Market is part antique shop, part interior design showroom, and for four days each month, the three co-owners transform the unassuming brick building in the Lost Barrio into a curated marketplace of vintage furniture, home decor and antique finds.

Just blocks away from the University of Arizona and Fourth Avenue, tucked away on a quiet side street, is an antique lover’s paradise. Sixth Avenue Antiques is a three-story wonderland, with dozens of retailers selling curated vintage clothing, furniture and home decor. Sixth Avenue Antiques, 537 N. 6th Ave. This week, for our $25 Challenge, I stopped by to uncover some of the hidden gems Sixth Avenue Antiques has to offer.

Tucson is celebrating America's 250th Independence Day with fireworks and fun. Here’s a list of where to see fireworks this weekend: The city will be hosting its annual "A" Mountain fireworks celebration. When: Saturday, July 4. Parking lot opens at 7 p.m., fireworks start at 9 p.m. Where: Tucson Convention Center’s west side parking lot, 260 S. Church Ave. Independence Day fireworks burst in the sky at Casino del Sol.

When Tucson native Samia Posadas stood among the eight finalists at the Jimmy Awards in New York, she wasn't expecting to hear her name. After winning Southern Arizona’s Monte Awards, the recent Salpointe Catholic High School graduate spent nearly two weeks training alongside 115 of the nation's top student performers at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, better known as the Jimmy Awards.

Fourth of July festivities, World Cup watch parties, Iron chef Tucson, and so much more! Even in the dog days of summer, there's no shortage of exciting things happening in Tucson this July, and we've compiled our list of 75 events you won't want to miss! Bring the whole family for a night of  games, music, activities, and refreshments. When: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, July 2 Where: Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way Cost: Free Visit their event page for more information.

Angela Pittenger, a local painter poses for a portrait inside her Tucson studio, June 25, 2026. Every artist knows that light is what gives life to artwork, but Tucson painter and muralist Angela Pittenger’s work captures light itself. Pittenger paints primarily with oil paint and watercolor to create her soft, almost dreamy works of art. Many of her pieces are impressionistic landscapes or depict animals and sentimental slices of everyday life.

Want to experience Sabino Canyon after the sun goes down? The Sabino Canyon Crawler's Saturday night tours are returning this summer. The tours begin Saturday, July 4, and will run every Saturday through Oct. 31. The guided, narrated shuttle tour travels 7.4 miles round trip through Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and lasts about an hour. The lights of Tucson as seen from Sabino Canyon during the first Night Crawler tour of the season last year.