The Burrito Files - David

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Born in LA, came to Tucson in 70s, came back with my tail between my legs.
What are you doing downtown today? being a global Tucsonan
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? vibrant, diverse, unexpected
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? bite size artists, poblano chiles, coffee beans, and Wig-O-Rama sauce
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Many things that I continue to make amends for (in the 70s)
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Maribel & Patricia

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Cuba.
What are you doing downtown today? Checking out Downtown Saturday Night.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? old, musty, trying
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? art, art galleries, sidewalk cafes, light shows, and bars
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I got married downtown twice. / I got married once downtown.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Noreen & Greg

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No, originally from Ohio.
What are you doing downtown today? enjoying being outside and looking at art
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? authenticity, culture / drab, unimaginative, needs leadership
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Trader Joe's, colorful architecture, walking / Rialto, Rattlesnake Bridge, Fox Theatre
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Great music. One time we were at a Leon Russell concert at the Rialto and the lights went off just as he came on. Everyone was sweating because the AC went off. When the lights went back on everyone cheered.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Ashley & Brenda

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Hybrid
What are you doing downtown today? Working, playing with kids, came to see my favorite band (Static Session)
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? eccentric, a-work-in-progress
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? spicy chicken, adobe sifting through a hole in the ceiling as the train rattles the whole building
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? In high school I would sneak out to see concerts at Skrappy's and the Rialto, and because of that I found my inner landscape downtown.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Antonio

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. From Dodge City, Kansas.
What are you doing downtown today? With my girlfriend, son and his friend, taking in the venues.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? eclectic, exciting, exuberant
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? a fascinating mix of different spices that would give it its full flavor.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes, meeting and getting to know some artists.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Victor

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Iowa.
What are you doing downtown today? Enjoying the activities.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? coming along slowly
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? undercooked flour tortilla that was supposed to have more flavors added before it was put in the oven. The inside is palatable but as good as it should be everyday.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I was a victim of aggravated assault.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Victoria, Devin & Doug

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No, Washington State. Yes. Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Celebrating Downtown Saturday Night
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? exciting, urban, eclectic
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? a little bit of everything imaginable
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Concerts
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Mike & Dusty

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. We live in Phoenix.
What are you doing downtown today? Working at the Rialto.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? More poppin' than downtown Phoenix / Looking cooler
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? guacamole, black beans, onions and chile peppers / chicken, rice and salsa
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Tonight!
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - David

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Detroit.
What are you doing downtown today? Walking around and looking.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Small, not abandoned, not very busy [I was lenient on the 3 words]
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? meat
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Kelly

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. New Jersey
What are you doing downtown today? Looking at art and The Burrito Files
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? upcoming
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? more art
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I saw Ryan Adams at the Rialto.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - Ken

Are you a Tucson native? Heavens no! From Manhattan.
What are you doing downtown today? Looking for art
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Future potential
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? Unrisen dough
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? My theater production [downtown] was a critical success.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

The Burrito Files - MARY

Are you a Tucson native? No, from a small town in upstate NY
What are you doing downtown today? Came to see Downtown Saturday Night and visit David at Dinnerware
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? asleep, struggling, anemic
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it? not much. very low-cal. maybe lettuce.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Taught some workshops at different places. Met some interesting people that I'm still in touch with. It enriched my life.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray, 9/27/08

Downtown Saturday Night

The Burrito Files hung out for a few hours at Downtown Saturday Night on Congress Street. A lively crowd strolled down the street watching live music, visiting art galleries, and enjoying the festive atmosphere. I especially enjoyed the street musicians with the lamp that spouted fire every so often. (In the picture they are setting up. The fire lamp is in between them.)

Burrito Files in Tucson Weekly!

The Burrito Files is in this week's Tucson Weekly!

Check out the article here.

I interviewed the woman who interviewed me, Mari Herreras, at Park(ing) Day. She is a 5th generation Tucsonan! See her interview below.

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

Burrito Files from Park(ing) Day!

Alfredo
Are you a Tucson native? Yes, fifth generation.
What are you doing downtown today? Working for the AZ Daily Star
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? nostalgic
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
good memories of the way it used to be and a wish that we could make it better than it used to be
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? As a photographer, I did a story on downtown's rejuvenation in the late 80s. I had a choice between a negative or positive slant and I chose to do something positive on how it's changing.
Photo & interview by Julie Ray


Manny & Chris
Are you a Tucson native? Yeah/Yeah
What are you doing downtown today? Going to court/going to court with friend
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? interesting, I don't know / ugly, bus stop, meters
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
a mix / Mexicans
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Interview by Denise Uyehara, Photo by Julie Ray


Felipe & Jet
Are you a Tucson native? No, originally from Brazil / Yeah
What are you doing downtown today? Wasting my time (with Richard) / working
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? busy, sarcastic, witty / ugly, alright, street
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
pine nuts and avocados / Mexicans and Blacks
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No / Met a lot of girls (at bars)
Interview and photo by Denise Uyehara.


Lavergne & Helner
Are you a Tucson native? No, from France
What are you doing downtown today? Going to Nogales
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? music, hot, professional cocktails
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
fruit cocktail
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I've never been in a hotter place before (except Tunisia)
Self-interview.
Photo by Denise Uyehara.






City High School Students
Are you a Tucson native? Yes (6). LA, Texas
What are you doing downtown today? Park(ing) Day, City High
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? dirty, construction, loud
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
dry wall, cheese, bacteria, people, gasoline, cars, eco-friendly, onion, sauce
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? hit by a car while biking
Interview and photo by Denise Uyehara.

Efren
Are you a Tucson native? Yes
What are you doing downtown today? walking to school
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? cool, chill, weird
If downtown Tucson was a burrito what would be in it?
sauce, cheese, lettuce, carne
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Interview and photo by Denise Uyehara.

Park(ing) Day A Success!

Park(ing) Day was a great success for The Burrito Files and Tucson. Over 80 spots were produced in Tucson, the most out of any participating city. Tucson received great local coverage for the event including stories on/in KOLD News 13 (I was on the morning news!), Arizona Daily Star, and Tucson Citizen. Pictures of me and the burrito cart are on the home page of AZ Daily Star's website. Look for Park(ing) Day under Slide Shows. Thanks to KOLD reporter Lauren Burgoyne, AZ Daily Star photographer Alfredo Araiza, and Tucson Weekly reporter Mari Herreras for your coverage!! Also, a big thanks to Jodi Blaylock, the Tucson coordinator, Chris Leighton of ParkWise, and David Aguirre of Dinnerware Artspace.

Image: Dancer Katie Rutterer and performance artist Denise Uyehara dance in the park(ing) spot showcasing The Invisible City, a new project of New ARTiculations Dance Company and Kore Press.

The Burrito Files at Park(ing) Day!

Join The Burrito Files at Tucson's first Park(ing) Day this Friday, September 19th.

The Burrito Files will set up shop with its NEW burrito cart in the public parking space in front of Dinnerware Artspace @ 264 E. Congress. The block between 5th Ave and Arizona Alley will feature 4 Park(ing) Day spaces hosted by The Burrito Files, NEW ARTiculations Dance Theatre, Preen, and Maxed Art (times will vary per space).

THE BURRITO FILES
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th
264 E. CONGRESS STREET
6AM - 6PM

Come by to check out the cart, submit YOUR burrito file, sit and shmooze, and enjoy our city's public spaces.

If downtown Tucson was a burrito, what would be in it? The Burrito Files contributes to a thriving and creative downtown Tucson by asking everyday folks their ideas and experiences related to downtown.

You can check out past responses here.

Find a map of all Tucson Park(ing) Day Spots here (The Burrito Files is listed as a Dinnerware spot).

Park(ing) Day original concept by REBAR. www.rebargroup.org

The Burrito Files is supported by the Tucson Pima Arts Council.

Burrito Cart Design & Construction Team:
Julie Ray, Head Honcha
Titus Castanza, Chief Engineer
Prasenjit Ray, Paint Engineer

In-kind support from Thomas Harrington and Dinnerware Artspace