Thursday, April 23, 2009

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

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

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

Saturday, April 11, 2009

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

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

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