Fans of the Fox Theatre Tucson should already know the energy live music brings to downtown. Now, imagine pairing that with food!
From 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 25, local chefs and musicians will share their collaborative pairings at the first Music & Morsels experience at the Fox. It’s also a special fundraising event for benefiting the historic theatre.
“It’s always thrilling to see what happens when you juxtapose two different creative mediums,” said Bonnie Schock, Executive Director at the Fox. “Anything is possible.”
The theatre is hosting the world premieres of musical and culinary compositions created exclusively for this event — all designed around the theme of “Places We Hold Dear.” Each songwriter/chef duo has met and brainstormed around the theme and what it means to them.
“We can’t wait to see what emerges as these talented artists, who make Tucson their home, interpret and tinker and build something new while musing on a theme of special places,” Schock added.
The participating chefs were curated by the Tucson City of Gastronomy (TCoG) and are all part of the TCoG Chef Ambassador program.
They include Sarah Lamberth, Executive Chef at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Pablo Valencia, Executive Chef at Scratching the Plate Catering, and Obadiah “Obie” Hindman, Executive Chef at Mountain Oyster Club.
Local musical talents include Peter “Petie” Ronstadt, a fifth-generation member of the renowned Ronstadt family. Son of the late Michael J Ronstadt, nephew of Linda Ronstadt, and great-grandson of Federico Jose Maria Ronstadt. He plays the bass, guitar, banjo, and tuba, sings, and is a prolific composer.
Brian Lopez is a Mexican-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and recording artist from Southern Arizona. His music is influenced by grunge rock and cross-border musical traditions and has come to epitomize the sound of the 21st-century American Southwest.
Nancy McCallion is best known as the songwriter and vocalist for the folk-rock cult band The Mollys. She grew up in Tucson and was greatly influenced by the Norteno sounds of her Southwest side neighborhood.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. when guests will be warmly welcomed with specialty cocktails.
As the evening carries on, all three Music & Morsels pairings will be presented, followed by a panel discussion featuring the chefs and musicians. Also, a dinner buffet will be held on the main floor of the Fox presented by El Charro Cafe.
The evening concludes with DJ Dance and dessert on the Fox stage. Additional entertainment and other delightful surprises are in store throughout the evening.
“My morsels were inspired by the creative conversation with Petie at the Fox,” said Lamberth. “He mentioned one of his favorite childhood memories was the smell of fresh corn tortillas and masa being cooked, singing, and spending time with family. The Fox itself was a large part of the inspiration for my dish. The vibrant colors of the Pueblo deco mural on the ceiling are reflected in the deep hues of the heirloom masa and the golden tones of the pickled pineapple and aji.
Chef Lamberth’s creation:
“When listening to his music, I felt the comforting flavors of the Sonoran region along with the brightness of our sunsets and sunrises guided my use of the sharp pineapple and warm aji flavors,” said Lamberth.
Tickets for the event are $375 per person and can be purchased online. You can also purchase tickets by calling Jonathon Crider at (520) 624-1515.
All proceeds benefit the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation.
Fox Tucson Theatre is located at 17 W. Congress St. For more information, visit foxtucson.com.
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