The Burrito Files - One Year Later

It has been slightly over a year since I embarked upon a project to go downtown and ask people, "If downtown Tucson were a burrito, what would be in it?" I have talked to over 150 people of all ages and backgrounds and heard the full range of comments - from negative to funny to bizarre. Some people hate downtown but the majority love it and want to see it be better. Folks remember coming downtown to go shopping at the department stores, attend church services, get married, start a first job, view a first art exhibit, experience a first kiss, and so much more. I believe that these positive sentiments and memories can be tapped to move downtown forward in a way that both honors the history and embraces innovation.

Year one focused on collecting these thoughts and stories. My plan for year two is to review the interviews and come up with a format to talk about the project with City Council (as mentioned in my interview in The Tucson Citizen), downtown stakeholders, and the public. It is my hope that the voices of the public can contribute to preserving and improving the heart of Tucson.

Thanks to everyone for your participation and support! If you have any suggestions for presenting The Burrito Files to the community, please comment here!

P.S. This blog contains interviews from September 2008 to April 2009. Interviews from April 2008 to August 2009 are posted at the Downtown re:VISION blog.

The Burrito Files - Debbie

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? I live in Arlington, Texas. Lived in Tucson for 9 years.
What are you doing downtown today? Hanging out with my sister and visiting open studios.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Changed a lot.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Chile peppers, lots of cheese and beans, beans everywhere.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Went to my first art exhibit at a little gallery on Congress.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/14/09

The Burrito Files - Ali

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Most recently from Atlanta.
What are you doing downtown today? Exploring new venues and meeting people who are active in the community.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Struggling to emerge.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? A paste of history, cultural sauce, chopped opportunities, and diverse spices. Side dishes would be a market, movie theater, stores, dry cleaners.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I guide tours downtown and it's been such a learning environment. It has changed my opinion.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts, 4/2/2009

The Burrito Files - Yvette

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No, California.
What are you doing downtown today? Working on my project.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Unique, history, dead.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? The history of Tucson.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes, I had a lot of my journalism experience at VOICES.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Yaritza

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Doing my digital story.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Nice, pretty, kind of small, sometimes it's crowded.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Carne asada.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Ana

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. California.
What are you doing downtown today? Storytelling.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Small, beautiful, colorful.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Different kinds of food - Panda Express.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Not really.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Laura

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Born in Mexico, raised here.
What are you doing downtown today? Doing digital storytelling.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Colorful, diverse, busy.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? A lot of diverse spices from around the world.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? When I was a sophomore I had a foklorico performance in downtown.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Austin

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Working on my digital story.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Fun, exciting and windy.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? a lot of buildings.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Not really.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Rizwan

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. India.
What are you doing downtown today? Digital storytelling.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Buildings, people, cars.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Buildings, people and cars in a giant tortilla.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No.
Photo by Rizwan, Interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Liza

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Trying to make money.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? My past.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Would be a combination plate with a chimichanga.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes. I went to church with my great aunt when the mass was in Spanish and Latin. I was really little and we took the Old Pueblo bus to St. Augustine's.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Trini

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Riding my bike and looking around.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? small, friendly, wanna be.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? guacamole, chile and mole.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes, a lot. First time I ever saw carpet was at the Fox Theatre. All my friends and I had dirt floors or linoleum. My friend shocked me on the carpet and I spent the rest of the evening shocking people.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Julius and Grace

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Philadelphia.
What are you doing downtown today? Open Studio Tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? funky / not very busy
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? pink cream cheese that looks like adobe / I can't top that
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes. I was arrested and went to court. / Watching Aztec dancers during various demonstrations.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Raul

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Vivo en Jalisco, Mexico (Santa Catarina)
What are you doing downtown today? Vine a presentar mis artesanias hecho de mano.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? pues esta bien.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? despues va a estar bien.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Si.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Richard

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes, born and raised.
What are you doing downtown today? Brought a Huichol artist to El Centro to participate in the Open Studio Tour.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? older, laid-back, cool
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? carne asada combo - frijoles, native foods, pico de gallo, tortillas
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I became an artist. I got into the artist scene, got my foot in the door selling on Alameda.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Bruce

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Oracle.
What are you doing downtown today? Open Studio Tour, hanging out with friends.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? a bun dance interrupted
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? tortilla made of stucco and filled with dirt, rocks, copper, and bones. A dry burrito.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Patsy and Korry

Are you a Tucson native? No. Live in Sonoita (Patsy), Michigan (Korry)
What are you doing downtown today? Hanging out
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? interesting, eclectic, diverse
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? something healthy, something tasty / something unique and something colorful
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Our first trip to AZ we ran into an art fair going on at Hotel Congress. There was great energy and it cemented our relationship with AZ.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Therese

Are you a Tucson native? No. Boston.
What are you doing downtown today? Exploring my creativity.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Potential, people, inspiration.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? light, fun, and crunch.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes. I have a wonderful, inspiring studio space with a wonderful inspiring colleague.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Mike

Are you a Tucson native? No. Born in Cincinnati, moved to Tucson from Albuquerque.
What are you doing downtown today? Working, sort of.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Office district.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? 5 days a week coming in and working. Dead for Saturday and Sunday.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

The Burrito Files - Alejandra

Are you a Tucson native? No, Mexico.
What are you doing downtown today? Exhibiting my artwork.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Most contemporary architecture.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? It would be painted in desert colors.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes. My photography studio is in downtown.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/15/09

Downtown Scavenger Hunt!

Pop Up Spaces presents
Downtown Scavenger Hunt!! Sunday, March 1, 2009

Walk through the streets of downtown Tucson and you will find multiple FOR RENT signs on every block. While that may be discouraging to some Tucsonans, a group of artists sees these spaces as blank canvases. In the Downtown Scavenger Hunt on March 1, participants will be given clues to find 10 locations, each one with a short activity that will encourage them to engage with the current environment, reflect upon the historic record, and imagine future possibilities for the space. The resulting photography and writings will be displayed in the future at a time and venue TBA.

Clues and instructions can be picked up at Shot in the Dark Café, 121 East Broadway Blvd. between 12pm and 2pm.

Downtown Scavenger Hunt is free and appropriate for all ages.

Downtown Scavenger Hunt is the inaugural project of POP UP SPACES, a collaboration between artists Rachelle Diaz of Tu Scene, Molly McClintock of MAXED ART and Julie Ray of The Burrito Files. POP UP SPACES seeks to produce temporary, interactive, site-specific installations in empty spaces in which the visitors are not just expected to be passive viewers, but asked to be active participants. The goal of these art-based experiences is to enhance economic vitality and public engagement in downtown Tucson through promotion of the area's culture, history, architecture and business community.

More info at the POP UP SPACES website.

Complete the Hunt and enter a Drawing to Win a special prize regarding Historical Downtown Tucson!

Weigh In On The Future of The Burrito Files

Hi friends,

In the spirit of change and inclusion, I'd like your thoughts on what The Burrito Files should focus on next. I've interviewed over 150 people, collected lots of interesting and juicy ideas and stories, and received some great news coverage. Now what?

My thought is to focus on a specific downtown issue and work on making a real impact. Another possibility is to come up with creative ways of displaying and presenting the "data" I've collected.

What do you think?

Thanks for your input!

Julie

The Burrito Files - Sheila

Are you a Tucson native? No. New England and proud of it. Mostly from Mt. Desert Island, Maine.
What are you doing downtown today? Came to see Julie's burrito files.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Old, has potential.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Salsa, Cuban music, Latino vibes, sweet chile peppers, lots of mushrooms with some chile-infused chocolate on the side.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? probably
Interview/Photo by Julie Ray at Rooted in Place opening, Arts Incubator Gallery, 12/05/08

The Burrito Files - Saumya

Are you a Tucson native? No. Dehli, India, then Philadelphia, then Ithaca, then Chicago, then Houston, then Ann Arbor, then Tucson.
What are you doing downtown today? Checking out the "Rooted in Place" exhibit
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? sparkling, open, less traveled
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? turquoise jewelry, refried beans, palm fronds, Prius, breakfast Migas
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? We learned about fake food!!
Interview by Saumya Vanderwyst, Photos by Prasenjit Ray at Rooted in Place opening, Arts Incubator Gallery, 12/05/08

The Burrito Files - Peggy

Are you a Tucson native? Semi-native, here since 1982
What are you doing downtown today? Came to the opening of my friend's exhibit
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? funky, energetic, diverse
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? music, great food, friendly people, good beer
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Used to go to U of A hockey games at TCC. Conections with cultural ideas, people, restaurants.
Interview/Photo by Julie Ray at Rooted in Place opening, Arts Incubator Gallery, 12/05/08

The Burrito Files - Doug

Are you a Tucson native? No, from all over, mostly the west, came here from Seattle
What are you doing downtown today? my wife is showing a picture at this art opening
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? potential needs work
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? asphalt and dirty paper cups
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No
Interview by Saumya Vanderwyst, Photo by Julie Ray at Rooted in Place opening, Arts Incubator Gallery, 12/05/08

The Burrito Files - Marlene

Are you a Tucson native? No, New York City
What are you doing downtown today? celebrating the art opening
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? unutilized potential
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? bland salsa, tortilla would be from a really good handmade original recipe like Tia Maria's but inside is mush. Hasn't lived up to its exterior.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? My first art exhibit here!
Interview/Photo by Julie Ray at Rooted in Place opening, Arts Incubator Gallery, 12/05/08

The Burito Files - Brittany, Vicki, Kresta

Are you a Tucson native? No - Sierra Vista
What are you doing downtown today? Vaudeville
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? radtastic, funtastical, beautimystical
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? carne asada, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, bacon
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Decided to break up while watching Rent.
Interview by Saumya Vanderwyst, Photo by Julie Ray at Rooted in Place opening, Arts Incubator Gallery, 12/05/08

The Burrito Files - Tom

Are you a Tucson native? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Heading over to 4th Ave to see the Sam Rubies play.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Layers and layers of stuff.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? adobe and cinder block, old wiring, nicotine, booze, feedback, worn cowboy boots, tatoos.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes, a couple of break ups, a drunk in a bar gave me an idea for a bill that I passed in the legislature (motorized bicycles).
Photo & interview by Julie Ray at Rooted in Place opening, Arts Incubator Gallery, 12/05/08