Park(ing) Day Files

David
Are you a Tucson native? Yes
What are you doing downtown today? Working
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? congested, chaos, [expletive]
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? chaos, [same expletive]
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Photo & interview by Denise Uyehara


Matthew, Megan and Scout
Are you a Tucson native? No, Phoenix & Philly
What are you doing downtown today? live downtown
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? historic, construction, mess, comfortable
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
artwork, musicians, beans, community , tater tots, entrepreneurs
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown?
First date with each other at Red Room, first club in Tucson was Congress, buying a home, raising a child, 21st bday
Photo & interview by Denise Uyehara


Katie
Are you a Tucson native? No, St. Louis
What are you doing downtown today? dancing, knitting socks
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? close, hurting, hopeful
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
theaters, studios, living spaces, restaurants, bars
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Photo & interview by Denise Uyehara


Mercedes
Are you a Tucson native? No, Spain
What are you doing downtown today? lives downtown, walking to university
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? charming but a little bit ghostly
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
beans, rice, spinach and cheese
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? My life goes by downtown.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Michael
Are you a Tucson native? Almost, came when I was four (from New York)
What are you doing downtown today? here for Park(ing) Day
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? not yet there
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
leftover ingredients like old ground beef and middle of the road frijoles covered with nice, new fresh salsa, heirloom tomato and garden-grown exotic cabbage. Explanation - I see downtown as largely leftovers. The salsa represents the new "shoots" coming up and the heirloom veggies are the leading edge of the artistic community that is putting its mark on top of the old stuff.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I got my first kiss in the Fox Theatre and 18 months later I was dragged into the Rialto Theater (on a friend's blind date) to see the movie Deep Throat.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Titus (the burrito car maker!)
Are you a Tucson native? No. I came here when I was 10 years old. I'm now 33.
What are you doing downtown today? drinking coffee, riding my bike
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? torn-up
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
Buses, homeless, melted cheese
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes. I have a great art studio where I produce lots of art
Self interview. Photo by Julie Ray


Kara, Chris & Yvonne
Are you a Tucson native? No (New Jersey), No (Pennsylvania), Yes
What are you doing downtown today? working
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? has-been, old, dying / innovative, artistic, construction / scary, dying
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
beans and cheese / beans and cheese / beans, enchilada style
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? As a little girl my grandmother took me downtown to go shopping / Coming to work downtown changed my life /I was always here when I was in high school
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Diana/Chris
Are you a Tucson native? No, Washington / No, all over East Coast
What are you doing downtown today? having fun and working
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? improving everyday / tons of potential
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? indigenous ingredients in a mesquite flour tortilla / the works
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I got married in the gazebo at La Placita / I've made my career here. I fell in love the first time I drove through.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Mia
Are you a Tucson native? No, Oregonian
What are you doing downtown today? Checking out Park(ing) Day, handing out Tucson Meet Yourself posters
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? promising, low-energy, waiting
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? rattlesnake meat, palm tree fronds, and for color, all of the ethnic foods we have at Tucson Meet Yourself and other festivals
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Tucson Meet Yourself. That's where I discovered where I wasn't alone in my love of ethnic dance and music.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray

Berto/Jose
Are you a Tucson native? Yes
What are you doing downtown today? just walking / strolling through parking lot
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? colorful, big, noisy / weird, colorful, old
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? cars and buildings / a lot of beans
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Baylee
Are you a Tucson native? No, came when I was 5
What are you doing downtown today? Picking up a painting
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? too loud
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? a lot of mold (I love downtown, you can always pick the mold off)
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes, I used to ride the bus downtown to go shopping and Levy's and Steinfeld's. My mom worked at Levy's.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Joe
Are you a Tucson native? No, from LA
What are you doing downtown today? Visiting my friend Julie at Park(ing) Day
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? not there yet
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? touch, smell, taste, hearing, sight
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Met my girlfriend
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Philipp Neher
Are you a Tucson native? No, from Kempten, Germany
What are you doing downtown today? Lunch and checking out Park(ing) Day. (Live in Barrio Libre)
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? a promise
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? 3 hot chili spices and sour cream
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Have lectured at MOCA about "downtown Tucson."
Self interview. Photo by Prasenjit Ray


Monica & Leigh
Are you a Tucson native? No. Both from Brooklyn, New York.
What are you doing downtown today? Lunch and stroll and being productive pedestrians
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? so much potential
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? all native food ingredients - spice, mesquite, earth, O'Odham tepary beans
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? When we closed on our house (after 2 lifetimes in New York) we stayed downtown at the Royal Liz.
Self interview. Photo by Prasenjit Ray


Greg & Alice
Are you a Tucson native? No, both from Chicago
What are you doing downtown today? Visiting a cafe and the library
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? needs more work / nice urban hangout
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? many many many many many many many mesquite trees
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? We lived here 3 1/2 years. We spend a lot of time here. I've translated and written a lot of texts in downtown cafes (Greg).
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Mari
Are you a Tucson native? Yes, 5th generation
What are you doing downtown today? Working - taking pictures of Julie and the burrito cart
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Jacome's drugstore, my mother
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? salty old men (my relatives that are no longer around), chicken scratch, the Tap Room and the juke box there, Susan Avila's love that she shares with people
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Unrequited love, real love, uninhibited nights (things you think about when you're 41)
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Desiree
Are you a Tucson native? No, California originally
What are you doing downtown today? Looking @ the Park(ing) Day displays
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? dirty, colorful, empty
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? space, cars, suits!
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes. I had my first job downtown & met many of my friends!
Self interview. Photo by Julie Ray.


Mr. Frog
Are you a Tucson native? No, from a little old pond in upstate NY
What are you doing downtown today? walking, little bit of hopping, moondancing
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? not very wet
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? a bunch of waste, avocados, javelina
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Somebody stole my banana.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray