‘Troubadour Thursdays’ kicks off its weekly patio tour at multiple downtown restaurants

For most, or nearly everyone, live entertainment has been dearly missed over the past year, but there’s a bit of resurgence happening downtown.

Fox Tucson Theatre is collaborating with the Downtown Tucson Partnership to deliver the return of live entertainment with “Troubadour Thursdays, The Downtown Patio Tour” on Thursday, April 1.

This will be the first of five Troubadour Thursdays, which are happening through Thursday, April 29. Each Thursday, the patio tour will showcase some of Tucson’s musical talent featuring “everything from Gypsy Jazz and Desert Rock to Bluegrass, Americana Folk, and Songs from the Southern Border.”

“We are all missing live, in-the-moment contact with music and artists,” said Bonnie Schock, Executive Director of Fox Tucson Theatre. “We’re still waiting to be able to gather again at the Fox, but we just couldn’t wait any longer to share music in the vibrant landscape of our downtown neighborhood.”

Here’s how it works:

Every Thursday, the musical groups will begin their tour by gathering at the Fox Tucson Theatre and then make their way throughout Downtown with musical stops at seven restaurant patios. The tours will happen from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., with 10-15 minute jam sessions at each stop.

Participating Restaurants

• Charro Steak & Del Rey
• HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery
• Batch Tucson
• Ten55 Brewing Company
• La Chingada Cocina Mexicana
• 47 Scott
• Senae Thai Bistro

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Fox for Troubadour Thursdays,” said Kathleen Eriksen, CEO of Downtown Tucson Partnership. “This event helps to bring that support back as businesses continue to reopen safely. The traveling duos will enliven the streets and cafes with energy and music.”

Troubadour Thursdays Schedule

Thursday, April 1: Kiko Jacome Duo (Desert Rock)

• “The Kiko Jácome Duo performs a mix of original and classic tunes referred to as Desert Rock and Soul, a mixture of rock, blues, and folk with a Southwest flair. His original songs delve into almost every heartfelt emotion imaginable, longing, desire, betrayal, joy, and loss – it’s all there. Every tune is a little gemstone with something special to offer. The Kiko Jácome Duo, featuring Kiko Jácome and Ernie Mendoza, brings a collection of tunes delving into almost every heartfelt emotion imaginable.”

Thursday, April 8: Hot Club of Tucson (Jazz)

• “The Django Reinhardt-inspired Hot Club of Tucson features the incredible virtuosity of guitarist Matt Mitchell and violinist Nick Coventry. Both classical trained and former child prodigies, this group is Tucson’s best gypsy jazz this side of the left bank. The group that plays the virtuosic jazz music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. Nick Coventry, on violin, and Matt Mitchell on classical guitar.”

Thursday, April 15: Sophia Rankin (Americana-inspired Folk Rock)

• “Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Sophia Rankin, a recent U of A music graduate, is an accomplished writer, guitarist, and pianist who has earned fans all over Arizona. Her musical style is a blend of Americana, folk, rock, and pop. After winning numerous songwriting awards, she is firmly established and is now a staple at many events including the annual Tucson Folk Festival, Meet Me at Maynards, Spring Fling, Dusk Music Festival, Nova Bowl Events, and more. She is currently working on her third album, set to release this summer.”

Thursday, April 22: Peter McLaughlin and Alvin Blaine (Bluegrass)

• “Peter McLaughlin, singer, songwriter, and past National Flatpicking Guitar Champion has been a staple in the bluegrass and Americana scene for more than four decades. He is a current member of The Sonoran Dogs, Canyon Currents, The Colton House Trio, and is a former touring member with The Grammy Award-winning band, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands. Joining him will be Alvin Blaine, a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist musician. With 25 years in Las Vegas as a professional lounge musician, he plays everything from cowboy swing to jazz, blues, and country standards. On pedal steel, dobro, banjo, guitar, and mandolin—basically all things with strings, Alvin is a truly gifted musician.”

Thursday, April 29: PD Ronstadt and Don Armstrong (Southwestern Americana)

• “Don Armstrong has been hailed as a “Tucson legend,” and “folk treasure. Originally influenced and inspired by the New York folk music scene of the 1960s, Don plays folk, blues, bluegrass, and Americana. A consummate songwriter, his songs have been recorded by artists nationwide. Don is joined by Peter Ronstadt, a fifth-generation Ronstadt in Tucson. His music paints a musical picture of the American Southwest by presenting music from the region, music from Mexico, collected favorites, songs of his father, and new songs that draw inspiration from all the elements of his upbringing.”

The effort to help support live and local entertainment is also taking donations musicreturns.givesmart.com. For more information about Troubadour Thursdays, visit foxtucson.com.