What to Eat & Drink at Rialto Theatre’s ’80s-Themed Fundraiser


February 27, 2024
By Matt Sterner

The Rialto Theatre Foundation’s 10th Annual Fundraising Gala, I Want My MTV— A Totally Outrageous ’80s Party, starts at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

The big party is happening inside the Rialto Theatre at 318 E. Congress St. and will feature food tastings and samplings of beer, wine, spirits, and tea from local restaurants.

Plus, this is all while ’80s music fills the theatre. You’re encouraged to dress up because there’s going to be an ’80s customer party, a karaoke bar, a video arcade, and more — you’re practically stepping back in time to the era of neon colors, mullets, enormous amounts of hairspray, and synthesizers.

Tickets are $125 per person and include two drink tickets, beer/wine/liquor tastings, and a selection of food from local restaurants. Proceeds go toward maintaining the Rialto Theatre, which is celebrating its 104th birthday this year.

  • Barrio Brewing Company
  • Batch
  • Bawker Bawker Cider House
  • Catalina Brewing Company
  • Cobra Arcade Bar
  • Commoner & Co.
  • Contigo Latin Kitchen
  • Crooked Tooth Brewing Company
  • Culinary Dropout
  • Doughbird
  • Elliott’s on Congress
  • Flora’s Market Run
  • HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery
  • Kingfisher
  • Locale Neighborhood Italian
  • Obon
  • Penca
  • Playground
  • Prep & Pastry
  • Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea
  • Sauce Pizza & Wine
  • Sidecar
  • Sonoran Wines
  • Snake & Barrel
  • Uncle Bob’s Popcorn
  • Wildflower

The ’80s MTV Dance Hits will be spun by Future Syndicate with performances by Beat Drop Kidz and MC Chach Snook. The costume contest starts at 7:45 p.m.

Also, a free parking and shuttle service will be provided from 191 Toole to the Rialto Theatre from 5 – 10 p.m.

The Rialto Theatre is located at 318 E. Congress St. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit rialtotheatre.com. If you can’t make it to the gala, there’s always the option to donate online.

The Rialto Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the stewardship and preservation of the historic Rialto Theatre and its affiliates. The Rialto is a unique entertainment venue and cornerstone of downtown Tucson, which for decades has professionally produced a broad range of cultural performing arts and education programs that are reflective of the diverse and vibrant community it serves.

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