There’s about to be a lot of rumblin’ going on at downtown’s Jácome Plaza, so don’t let the grumblin’ of your stomach throw off the beat.
Entering its sixth year now, the two-day DUSK Music Festival that incorporates art and culinary treats is taking place on Friday, November 11 – Saturday, November 12.
The downtown festival will feature performances by 40 artists on three different stages, making it a rather diverse entertainment experience. In addition to the entertainment, Tucson FEASTS will be in full effect to keep everyone’s energy levels to the max.
The culinary attraction will be highlighting the city’s “thriving food traditions as well as its cutting-edge cuisine.” Like in recent years, DUSK Music Festival curated a lineup of restaurants, food trucks, and chefs. The food will be available to purchase for anyone attending the festival, but Platinum Ticket holders will have the chance to try a “unique small bite” from certain restaurants. Each hour they’ll announce which restaurant is serving this one-of-a-kind dish.
Participating Restaurants
Culinary Dropout
Tucsonans oughta be familiar with this spot on Grant Road. Culinary Dropout is a Fox Restaurant Concept specializing in cocktails, comfort food, and fun times. Menu is TBD.
Rollies Mexican Patio
Just last week, Rollies opened a brand new location via food truck at the MSA Annex. Expect to see a handful of traditional dishes along with some modernized meals as well. Menu is TBD.
Read our November 2022 article “Rollies is rollin’ into a new location on the west side.”
Dante’s Fire
Chef Ken Foy recently won this year’s Iron Chef Tucson and it’s likely you’ve been or seen his restaurant, Dante’s Fire, across the street from Culinary Dropout. Menu is TBD.
Read our August 2022 article “Chef Ken Foy crowned 2022 Iron Chef Tucson.”
Gastronomic Union of Tucson
The Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT) is a collaboration of more than 30 local chefs and food professionals, so this needs to be a pit stop throughout your day at the festival. Menu is TBD.
Fresco Pizzeria
Fresco Pizzeria’s midtown pizza joint has a steady flow of hungry visitors and those ordering “delivery” from home or nearby businesses like Casa Film Bar, so expect a similar crowd around their booth. Menu is TBD.
Hola Hemp
Attention all vegan and meat-free Tucsonans, be sure to give this spot a visit. Hola Hemp “takes the superfood hemp to another level” and infuses “the nutritious, high protein hemp seed into delicious family recipes.” Menu is TBD.
You Sly Dog
Foodie Tip: Perhaps you shouldn’t order the Chernobyl hot dog if you’re sensitive to extreme heat. Or, actually, go for it and it’ll only make your experience at the festival that much spicier. All of You Sly Dog’s hot dogs are incredibly fulfilling and they’ll even substitute your dog with a vegan alternative. Menu is TBD.
Danny’s Vegan
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This will be DUSK Music Festival’s only non-local food option but it’ll be delivering more vegan bites throughout the day. This truck is traveling over from Long Beach, California. Menu is TBD.
If you’re looking for something else to eat, there’s plenty to choose from in downtown Tucson. Some spots in the area include Bombolé, The Monica, La Chingada, Little Love Burger, HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery, Ikes Coffee, Nook, and many more.
The music festival will also be featuring the local beverage companies Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea (a new locally brewed beverage blended with distilled spirits tea that’s naturally sweetened with organic agave), Bawker Bawker Cider House (Tucson’s only cider house), Rattle & Rum is producing a craft cocktail menu, and Barrio Brewing Company (the oldest brewery in the Southwest).
DUSK Music Festival is happening at the Jácome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave. For more information, visit duskmusicfestival.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
