This year’s free Stone Avenue Block Party will be the best yet, says Bryan Davis, Jewish History Museum executive director and host of the fifth annual event. The event is set for Saturday, Nov. 16, in front of the Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center, 564 S. Stone Ave. The evening will feature four live bands: Sonido Tambó, Los Esplifs, Mariachi Los Diablitos, and Jovert Steel Drum Band.
Java Magazine calls Los Esplifs’ sound uniquely cumbia-based, blended with Southwest psychedelia. “Their music is energized and communal — traditionally based and undoubtedly mind-opening, grinning, and ecstatic.” The Phoenix band plays throughout the Southwest and Mexico.
Sonido Tambó, the house band at Hotel Congress’ El Tambó Club, plays cumbia, dancehall, reggaeton, dembow, merengue, banda, and champeta.
Mariachi Los Diablitos is a Sunnyside High School band under the direction of Maestro Refugio “Cuco” Del Cid. The Jovert Steel Drum Band features musicians from Tucson Magnet High School, touted as the city’s best steel drummers.
“The Block Party is both a celebration of Tucson arts and culture and a way that the museum can strengthen relations with our downtown neighbors,” says Davis. “Numerous downtown organizations co-sponsor the event including KXCI community radio, the Rialto Theatre, Hotel Congress, and local breweries including Barrio Brewery and Sentinel Peak. In the days prior to the event the museum will be hosting an open house for Barrio Viejo and Armory Park residents.”
Other sponsors include the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, and Five Points Market.
“Last year, 1,500 people attended and more than 500 visited the Jewish History Museum’s historic temple building,” adds Davis. “This year we are planning for more than 2,000 people to join the celebration.”
A beer garden and food trucks will be open from 6-10 p.m. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. The museum will be open for tours.
For more information, call 670-9073 or go to www.jewishhistorymuseum.org.
