Who’s in Burger City? Why are the Windows Taped?

A lot of people have been stopping by the (closed) restaurant, tapping on the door and saying hi.  More have been asking “Who are the people in Burger City when I stop by?”

Short List?

Tig Collins – going over inventory and getting ready for our re-opening.  Working with our marketing staff on new menus and coordinating our blogs and other social media.

Tami Countryman – Project Manager for the re-opening, and her crew of volunteers who are rearranging the furniture and making sure all the paperwork is filed and in order for Burger City (wow, staying open during the summer would have been so much easier!)

Steve Anderson – Director and instructor for Teen Street Players, a youth Theatre group which is part of UACT – Urban Artist Conservatory of Tucson – offerings.  They are taking classes and having rehearsals.  Remember all of ArtFare Block is “shared space” and you will meet artists, musicians, and other performers everywhere on the ArtFare Block.

ArtFare Block volunteers – We have lots of great things happening and many announcements for your arts pleasure this holiday season, so we are having lots and lots of meetings in Burger City.  Continue watching this site, check out our twitter page, and more to find out what’s happening.

The windows are covered to give our ArtFare volunteers some privacy as they work to get us re-opened quickly.  We love you all but we had twice as many people inquiring before we put up the paper and less work was getting done.  We promise it will be worth the wait!

Burger City to Open Soon

After a long hiatus, Burger City, ArtFare’s little burger shop that could, is opening again for lunch.  We anticipate a launch date of less than a week (keep your fingers crossed).

Our menu is still chock full of great burgers, with your favorites here for you.  As always all proceeds go to support the arts and we will be employing artists and musicians to cook and serve your burgers.  Local art is for sale on the walls.  Our tables have been resurfaced (awwww…….) but not to worry, we have plans for new artistic outlets for you while you wait for your food.

In the meantime follow our tweets, see our video on youtube, or search this blog for photos of Burger City to whet your appetite!

4th Avenue Underpass Grand Re-Opening Celebration

Join us at Burger City  on August 20th when the Downtown community celebrates the opening of the 4th Avenue underpass. Festivities begin at 3:00 p.m.  Fun, food and music.

KJLL Radio Host John C. Scott will broadcast live from Burger City and you will have a front row seat to everything that’s happening downtown, on 4th Avenue, at Main Gate Square and more:

Grand Opening Party – Aug. 20, 3-10 p.m.

Scheduled events are FREE, unless otherwise noted.

FOURTH AVE. UNDERPASS (Fourth Avenue at Congress)

3-3:30 p.m.: Leila Lopez

3:30-4 p.m.: Seven Pipers

4-5 p.m. Opening ceremony in the underpass – featuring Mayor Bob Walkup, City Council members and other dignitaries. Other participants include the Seven Pipers, antique cars, hot rods and the Old Pueblo Trolley.

DOWNTOWN (Congress Street and throughout Downtown)

3-8 p.m.: Vendor fair at Southern Arizona Transportation Museum in the Historic Depot – arts/crafts and food.

4-9 p.m.: Downtown information booths at NW corner of Congress and Scott

4-8 p.m.: Free ice cream social at Chris’ Cafe in La Placita Village. Ice cream courtesy of BlueBell.

4-8 p.m.: Youth & Teen “Art of Summer” exhibit at The Drawing Studio, 33 S. Sixth Ave.

4-8 p.m.: Pima County Sports Hall of Fame will be open in La Placita Village

5 p.m.: Tucson Birthday Cake competition in Hotel Congress – celebrity judges include Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, TSO conductor George Hanson and KOLD meteorologist Chuck George. Free cake for visitors!

5:30-6:30 p.m.: TSO Percussion Ensemble on Club Congress Patio

5-7 p.m.: Half-price admission at Tucson Children’s Museum. Free face painting by the Quasimodos Sisters.

5-7 p.m.: Elemental Artistry at Tucson Children’s Museum – fire dancing group will use LED lights to engage youngsters with their flashy art form.

5-8 p.m.: Antique car show at Southern Arizona Transportation Museum (in Historic Depot)

5:30-9:30 p.m.: Alex Samaniego’s Spanglish monologues, 15-minute plays, live music and tours of the theater at Beowulf Alley Theatre, 11 S. Sixth Ave.

6-8 p.m.: Harley Davidson motorcycle show at La Placita Village

6-8 p.m.: Determined Luddites play Maynard’s Market

6-9 p.m.: Swing Dance with Kings of Pleasure at Southern Arizona Transportation Museum’s locomotive site – tickets are $10 per person or $16.73 per couple.

7 p.m.: Second annual Best Legs in a Kilt Contest at Flanagan’s Celtic Corner. Entry to the contest is free, but all entrants must be wearing a kilt. Register for the contest by 6 p.m. First, second and third place winners receive gift certificates to Celtic Corner worth $50, $25 and $10 respectively. Bagpipe music provided by the Seven Pipers.

7:30 p.m.: Cinema La Placita – “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”

Also in Downtown: Pop-Up Spaces and more activities!

Free blue-glow light pendants (supply limited)

FOURTH AVENUE (Fourth Avenue between University and the Underpass)

5 p.m.: Hot Rod show at Maloney’s

5-6 p.m.: Phantom DJ at Winset Stage

6-7:30 p.m.: The Rowdies at Winset Stage

7-9 p.m.: Desert Bluegrass Association at Chocolate Iguana

7-9 p.m.: Live music at Magpies Pizza

7-9 p.m.: Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl at Delectables

7:30-10 p.m.: El Camino Royales at Winsett Stage

Also on Fourth Avenue: Performance sculpture by Mat Bevel, sculpture show by WAMO, balloon sculptor, energy drink and T-shirt giveaways and more!

Free green-glow light pendants (supply limited)

MAIN GATE SQUARE (University Boulevard between Park and Euclid)

3 p.m.: Seven Pipers play at Auld Dubliner in Main Gate Square.

3-6 p.m.: Fuku Sushi ½ off appetizers and Sushi Specials

3-6 p.m.: $5 for any pita or ½ Greek salad and $1.50 for 32-ounce sodas

3-6 p.m.: $1 off beer and wine at Fat Greek

3-8 p.m.: Sidewalk Sale at Pitaya

3 p.m.-close: $2 Drafts and $2 Wells at Fuku Sushi

4-6 p.m.: ESPN Radio’s “Happy Hour” with Jody Oehlher outside Gentle Ben’s

4-6 p.m.: Mix-FM Live Remote

4-6 p.m.: J. Isaac on keyboard in Geronimo Plaza

4-7 p.m.: Gentle Ben’s ½ off most appetizers and $1 off all drinks

4-8 p.m.: Public participation mural

4-10 p.m.: Birthday Party, door prizes, free birthday cake at Frog & Firkin

4-10 p.m.: Birthday Cake & Live Mannequins in Cultural Exchange de Sonora, Arizona

5-7 p.m.: 99-cent subs at Jimmy John’s

5-8 p.m.: Wine tasting at Vila Thai Cuisine

5-8 p.m.: Ben’s Bells Open Studio

5-8 p.m.: Sultan Palace Grill and Food Samples

6-8 p.m.: UA Percussion Club

6-8 p.m.: Gallery art walk

6-9 p.m.: Bryan Dean Trio in Geronimo Plaza

6-9 p.m.: Live music at Frog & Firkin

7-9 p.m.: Photography Show at Espresso Art by Fred Hood, Arizona Nature & Wildlife

7-9 p.m.: Round the House at Auld Dubliner

8-10 p.m.: Music by La Vie at Espresso Art

8-10 p.m.: Beatnik Dream Vacation at Dunkin Donuts

8-11 p.m.: Live Music at Vila Thai

Discounts at other participating merchants throughout the evening

Free red-glow light pendants (supply limited)

An Evening on the ArtFare Block

Until we load the disc of photos taken by the professional photographer(!) these last photos will have to hold you.  Scroll all the way down for photos posted earlier and click the Tucson Academy of Leadership & Arts tab above to view some shots from the TALA open house and get a sneak peak at the improvements in the building!

Adult Swim begins

Tucson Birthday Ambassadors on Hand

Burger City Crew

Families settling in for the free concert

Jumping Castle for the kids

Block Party Coordinator Gabi Andres shopping

All ArtFare Shops open for business

Special One Man Show by Orlando Montes

Dare to Hear Your Fortune?

We weren't the only school enrolling!

ArtFare Musicians in Residence

Tig's Serenade

The end of the evening - til December 11, 2009

Joint Fundraiser for ArtFare and Redondo Music – July 26

Marvelous Melodies

Enjoy an intimate evening of “Marvelous Melodies”, love songs and show tunes in a special engagement in the heart of downtown.  Tickets are $20 each and are available at the door.  If you would like to purchase advance tickets please send an email with your name and a phone number to tjdupreyunlimited@gmail.com for a return call.  Show starts at 6:30 pm. 47 N. 6th Avenue, Tucson AZ.

Burger City will open the evening of Sunday, July 26, 2009 for a special performance of Broadway/Gershwin/Porter standards presented by the aptly named trio “Marvelous Melodies”, with singers Amber Lee Harrington, Elizabeth (Beth) Clayton, and Chris Brewer, accompanied by pianist Harriet Siskin.

Also performing this Sunday evening will be Cici Salcido a blues and jazz singer, and Burney Starks rocking the house with music from the 50s.

Adding to the evening’s entertainment will be live karaoke.  Our pianist will accompany you as you go solo or join the pros for a fun duet.

The Burger City kitchen will be open to ticket holders, with a special performance menu. They’re adding shrimp, pizza, and quesadillas for the event.

Parking is available in front of the restaurant or you can take advantage of security patroled, lighted parking at Pennington Garage on the Northwest corner of the block ($2 parking on Sundays). The Garage is approximately 60 feet from the entrance of Burger City and is open 24 hours a day.

“Marvelous Melodies” operates under a 501 c 3 and will be donating their proceeds to support musical theater in Tucson.

Burger City Leads on KUAT.org

Hey We Made the front page of KUAT.org

Burger City

Tasty burgers

Click either link to view the video!

Burger City Participates in Downtown Run

MEET ME AT MAYNARD’S DRAWS MEMORIAL DAY CROWD!!!

Check out these numbers!

Returning MMM Athletes: 100

New 73

Kids 12

Total 185

Total MMM run/walks 7

Total participation 1227

Individuals 593

Thanks for being a part of another great MMM evening! Plan to make us part of your every Monday.

Thanks to our sponsor Tucson Electric Power, beginning June 8 we will award MMM shirts to everyone who has attended eight MMM events. Shirts will be available for sale for $10.

SPECIALS FOR MONDAY, JUNE 1:

Ø Burger City…Free fries and a soda with burger order. Take your ticket.

Ø Maynard’s Market…Free lemonade and munchies on the patio. $2 drafts (PATIO ONLY) and $2 off any regularly priced entrée…Monday only.

Ø Cup at Hotel Congress…free glass of wine when you order their famous Nicoise Salad.

Ø Barrio…bottled water that you can pick up as you pass by. Then return afterward for a 20% discount on your entire dinner tab. You must have your ticket.

Ø El Charro…water station as we pass by…plus $5 off any entrée…Monday only. You must have your ticket.

Ø La Cocina…happy hour drink prices plus 15% discount on all food orders. Take your ticket.

By an overwhelming majority, our MMM Athletes voted on Monday, May 4 to continue MMM every Monday through the summer months. Come to Maynard’s Market at 400 N. Toole…in the old train depot. If you would like to join us later than 6:00 PM, that’s okay too. Sign-in will begin at 5:30 and close at approximately 7:00. Come early, or come late, but be there! Walkers, feel free to start early, so you can see the runners pass by.

Questions? meetmeatmaynards@gmail.com

Post the attached flier for your active friends of all ages. You will also find an invitation attached…send to your co-workers, friends and family.

Don’t forget to check the MMM Facebook every weekend, for the latest MMM specials and MMM news! We recommend you join as a friend on our Facebook. Otherwise, use it like any website.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=72720286918

On Monday we awarded MMM caps for the MMM Athletes who have attended five MMM run/walks. On Monday, June 1 we will award the remaining caps.

Be there!

Tucson Weekly Reviews Burger City – James Reel

To read the original article:  http://www.tucsonweekly.com

Pickleicious!

Burger City not only serves up delicious eats; its profits go to a fine nonprofit cause

by James Reel

click to enlarge

• samantha sais
• The Pickle Bar at Burger City.

Burger City

47 N. Sixth Ave.

903-0919; website

Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday open later (closing times may vary – call to reserve your table if dining after 7 pm)

Pluses: Moist, tasty burgers with unusual but effective toppings

Minuses: Stuck on a not-very-active downtown side street

There are two main reasons to eat downtown at Burger City. First, the joint funnels its profits to ArtFare, a worthy nonprofit arts incubator that’s managing to keep the buildings on the backside of Hydra humming.

Second, and foremost: Burger City serves excellent burgers.

They aren’t especially large, maybe about a third of a pound before cooking. The toppings may at first seem strange. (Apples? Refried beans?) There’s not much on the menu other than burgers. But I repeat: Those burgers are excellent.

Burger City sizzles on Sixth Avenue, right across from the Ronstadt Transit Center. A few tables are spread along the sidewalk, in case you’re interested in watching the city buses do their square dance in the brick corral across the street. The interior is far more interesting: Corrugated steel lines one wall, with art for sale on the wall opposite. A paint-smeared wood-plank floor supports sturdy wooden tables that have been decorated by artsy graffitists, under ceiling fans that evoke 1930s airplane propellers. Perhaps because people on jury duty wander over from the courthouse for lunch, a criminal-code chart detailing sentencing options has been posted opposite the restrooms.

More relevant to the business at hand—eating—is another of Burger City’s unusual features: a pickle bar. It offers not only what people usually think of as pickles (brined or vinegared cucumbers), but also pickled cauliflower, beets, peppers and radishes, all covering the gamut from sweet to tart. They’re free with any burger order, but once you slop them onto the little plate that’s provided, you’ll have to eat them with your fingers. The staff provides nothing but knives unless you specifically ask for a fork.

Gerald Gay on Burger City, Tucson

Morsels: Tucson restaurant news for Dec. 18

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.18.2008

Downtown hamburger joint benefits the arts

Burger City, a new lunch-and-dinner joint across the street from the Ronstadt Transit Center, offers more than just fries on the side. With every purchase, diners also get the satisfaction of helping local artists.

ArtFare, a nonprofit arts organization, opened the restaurant last week. It’s helmed by general manager Roy Schaefer and executive chef Jess Andre.

Andre has eight years in the restaurant business. Some of his past employers include Elle Wine Country Restaurant, Wildflower, North and Trident Grill.

Burger City’s menu boasts 12 gourmet burgers, all of them Andre originals, including the Mem’fis City Burger, a hand-pressed sirloin-and-chuck patty covered in creamy peanut butter and banana slices on a Viro’s Bakery roll. There’s also the Hanalei, which comes with teriyaki sauce, candied bacon and pineapple jerky.

“I wanted to create something unique that you couldn’t get at other burger restaurants,” said Andre, 26. “There are very few places that have just burgers. I wanted to create a variety within the burgers so anybody looking for any kind of food can find something here.”

All proceeds from Burger City, 47 N. Sixth Ave., will benefit ArtFare. For more info, go to artfare.wordpress. com.

— Gerald M. Gay

To read the original article and more by Gerald M. Gay click here

Also found in this edition of the Arizona Daily Star

Arts Corridor Welcomes Unique Funding Sources

What do you do in a challenged economy when you’re in an industry that is already under-funded? Well if you’re Tig Collins, you think outside the box. Really far outside the box. November will see the opening of two businesses, providing much needed jobs for downtown residents as well as generating funds to benefit Tucson arts.

ArtFare, headquartered in the historic Sears Executive Tower on 6^th Avenue, is renovating adjacent buildings which formerly housed the Georget’s Restaurant and Kelly’s Army Surplus, creating a steady source of revenue from a new café and a market. The popular Georget’s Restaurant, famous locally for its great desserts, is being transformed into Burger City, a gourmet burger joint with a split personality and Kelly’s will become Kelly’s Market on 6^th Avenue.

Burger City will offer convenient eats. Directly across from Ronstadt Bus Center the staff awaits your arrival for either a quick take-out order and dash to work or, for those want to linger, customers can dine in or sit at the attractive café tables enjoying the free wireless internet and get a jump on the day.

Kelly’s Market is located next door and in the finest tradition of bodegas and delis will offer deli foods prepared in the Burger City kitchen as well as stocking some of life’s necessities. Downtown and running late from work but have to pick up some milk and puppy chow on the way home? Call it in and drive up to the front of the market. They’ll have it bagged ready for you to pay and dash home.

ArtFare has long had a place in Tucson’s arts scene as the place to go when you have been displaced (5 out of 6 of the downtown warehouse artists made their way to ArtFare after being evicted: OTO, Dance Loft, Odaiko Sonora, and Capoeria Malangram); are looking for a “resting place” while reorganizing and restructuring your organization (e.g., El Ojito Springs Theater and Gallery); or in need of emergency short term rehearsal space (like the cast of the soon to open musical “Lost”).

The cost of providing reduced-cost or free space, utilities, support staff and, in some cases, funding of struggling artists and musicians has skyrocketed. Rather than turn away deserving artists and organizations or fold up and close, ArtFare has found a way to be even more of an asset to the downtown community.

Profits from both businesses will support the non-profit endeavors of ArtFare, after costs and wages for its cheerful employees. For more information, contact Tig Collins at 520-903-0918 or email her at space@artfare.org