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For a city of its size, Tucson is abuzz with cultural activity. It's one of only 14 cities in the United States with a symphony as well as opera, theater, and ballet companies. Wintertime, when Tucson's population swells with vacationers, is the high season, but the arts are alive and well year-round. The low cost of Tucson's cultural events comes as a pleasant surprise to those accustomed to paying East or West Coast prices: concert tickets are as little as $20 for some performances, and touring Broadway musicals can often be seen for $35. Parking is plentiful and frequently free.
The free Tucson Weekly (www.tucsonweekly.com) and the "Caliente" section of the Arizona Daily Star www.azstarnet.com) both hit the stands on Thursday, and have listings of what's going on in town.
Feeling casual and eclectic? Hit Tucson's 4th Avenue Street Fair, held one weekend in March and one weekend in December, where you can buy handcrafted wares and hear local bands while munching on every kind of festival food imaginable.
Children of all ages love the clever, original melodramas at the Gaslight Theatre, where hissing at the villain and cheering the hero are part of the audience's duty.
America's largest outdoor midwinter rodeo is at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds the third weekend in February. A fabulous nonmotorized parade kicks off the festivities.
Meet local, national, and international authors, attend workshops and readings, and purchase heaps of books at this highly regarded book festival held on the University of Arizona campus the second weekend in March. When the students depart for Spring Break, the University Mall transforms into a bibliophile's wonderland. Kids will enjoy hands-on reading, writing, and science activities.
In May, June, and September the Tucson Pops Orchestra gives outstanding free concerts on Sunday evenings at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park. Arrive about an hour before the music starts (usually at 7 pm) to stake your claim on a viewing spot. Bring folding chairs or sit on the gently sloping lawn.
