Activities for Mother's Day in Tucson, Arizona

Below are fun activities to do in Tucson, Arizona on Mother's Day - and shortly before and after too.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9, 2010.

Color Me Mine is located at: 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 260, in Park Place Mall near Wilmot Road. They are a ceramics studio and the deadline to paint a piece for Mother's Day is Wednesday, May 5, 2010. This would be a great Mother's Day gift to make. They have over 500 pieces of ceramic to choose from such as vases, plates, cups, mugs, teapots, coffee pots, piggy banks, statues and much more. Most ceramic pieces are priced from $10.00-$25.00. The Studio fees are $9.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 12 and under. VIP passes are $100.00 for adults and $75.00 for children 12 and under. VIP members receive free Studio fees for one full year and an addition 10% off pottery pieces and classes. Their hours are: Monday-Saturday: 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. and Sunday: 12:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M. Their telephone number is: 520-790-1100. Their website is: www.tucson.colormemine.com

The funny and romantic play, The Son of the Sheik, will be presented at the Gaslight Theatre from now until June 12, 2010. On Mother's Day the showings will be at 3:00 P.M. and at 7:00 P.M. This play is for the whole family. Admission is $17.95 with discounts available. The other show times are: Tuesdays-Thursdays: 7:00 P.M.; Fridays and Saturdays: 6:30 P.M. and 9:00 P.M.; and Sundays: 3:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. The Gaslight Theatre is located at: 7010 E. Broadway Blvd., at N. Kolb Road. Their telephone number is: 520-886-9428.

The funny play, Wild Things, will be presented by the Live Theatre Workshop's All Together Theatre from 1:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M. The play is also a dance musical. It will be ASLlanguage interpreted by Pima Community College students. This play will be presented every Sunday at that time, through May 23, 2010. It is for the whole family and admission is $5.00-$8.00. Live Theatre Workshop is located at: 5317 E. Speedway Blvd., west of N. Craycroft Road. Their telephone number is: 520-327-4242.

William Shakespeare's, Othello, will be presented at the Rogue Theatre from 2:00 P.M.-4:30 P.M. The music preshow begins 15 minutes before curtain time and there will be a discussion with the cast and director following all performances. This play will run through May 16, 2010 at these times: Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 P.M.; and Sundays at 2:00 P.M. Admission is: $24.00; $18.00 preview; pay-what-you-will May 6th and 13th; and 1/2-price student rush 15 minutes before curtain time. Tickets can be purchased on their website at: www.TheRogueTheatre.org The Rogue Theatre is located at: 300 E. University Blvd., between 4th & 5th Avenues. Their telephone number is: 520-551-2053.

On Friday, May 7th 2010 and Sunday May 9th 2010, Za Boom Ba will be presented at the Leo Rich Theatre. On Friday, May 7th the performance is from 8:00 P.M.-9:15 P.M. and on Mother's Day the performance is from 2:00 P.M.-3:15 P.M. This is a theatrical performance of drumming and some very energetic dancing. The audience participates as each person is given an instrument, from a shaker to a drum, to play. An interactive rhythm facilitator will also be used, which turns body signals into beats. This sounds like a lot of fun for children. Admission is $22.00 for adults and $17.00 for children ages 12 and under. The Theatre is located at: 260 S. Church Avenue, south of W. Congress Street, downtown. Their telephone number is: 512-293-2400.

On Saturday, May 1, 2010 is the Sri Karunamayi One Day Silent Meditation Retreat to experience the unity between you and your Divine Mother. The retreat takes place at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel from 8:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. The hotel is located at: 1900 E. Speedway Blvd., at Campbell Avenue. Reservations can be made for a full-day retreat, or a half-day session. The fees are: full day: $100.00 & half day: $60.00 if paid by April 20, 2010; and full day: $120.00 & half day: $75.00 if paid after April 20, 2010. The morning session ends after lunch and the afternoon session begins at lunch. Lunch and snacks will be provided for half day and full day registration. This meditation retreat will have a female leader. The hotels telephone number is: 520-327-7341. Reservations can be made online at: www.karunamayi.org

On Saturday, May 8, 2010 & Sunday, May 9, 2010 - Mother's Day, the GAP store in Park Place Mall will be celebrating their grand opening of their newly remodeled store. Children can be live models in their windows. On Saturday and Sunday morning, parents and caretakers will be able to take pictures of their children modeling for them and then Picture People will have a portable studio in the store for professional pictures also. A personal stylist will be available for adults, too. At night there will be live music by local bands. From May 6th-9th all customers will be given 25% off all regularly priced Gap merchandise (Gap 1969 denim is excluded.) The hours for this event are 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. Park Place Mall is located at: 5870 E Broadway Blvd., between N. Craycroft Road and S. Wilmot Road. The store's telephone number is: 520-790-1731.

On Mother's Day, Reid Park Zoo is having their Mother's Day Fiesta from 5:00 P.M.-7:30 P.M. On the Zoo's grounds they will be serving buffet with Latin music for entertainment. There will be activities for the children, Mom and more. Tickets are: $20.00 per adult ages 15 and above and $15.00 for children ages 3-14. You can purchase tickets online at: www.tucsonzoo.org The zoo is located at: 1100 S. Randolph Way and can be accessed from E. Broadway Blvd., or 22nd Street, west of Alvernon Way. Their telephone number is: 520-791-4022.

On Mother's Day, The Tucson Jazz Society will be having their Spring concert series at the Acacia at St. Philips Restaurant at 7:00 P.M. The concert features world-wide performer, Jim Rotondi along with Doug Webb. Acacia at St. Philips is located at: 4340 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 103, in St. Philips Plaza, at River Road. The restaurant is open: for lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.; for dinner: Sunday - Thursday 5:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.; Friday - Saturday 5:00 P.M. - 9:45 P.M.; and Sunday Brunch is: 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. The restaurant's telephone number is: 520-232-0101 Their website is: www.acaciatucson.com

Mother's Day is the last day for the Tucson Audubon's Birdathon 2010, which is like a walk-a-thon, except instead of raising money per mile walked, they raise money per bird species seen in 24 consecutive hours. In other words, how much do you want to pledge and for which species of birds? It's also a great way to learn about birds and enjoy nature as you walk. Every person who raises at least $50.00 gets a free Birdathon 2010 t-shirt. Other prizes will also be given out. The Tucson Audubon Society is located at: 300 E. University Blvd. (between E. Speedway Blvd. and E. 6th Street). Call them at: 520-622-5622 to find out what time this event starts. I heard midnight but I'm not totally sure. It is free to participate. Go to this website to register to participate: www.tucsonaudubon.org

From now until July 3, 2010, Andy Warhol's Portfolios: Life & Legends will be exhibited at the Tucson Museum of Art from 10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. The Museum is located at 140 N. Main Avenue. Admission fee is: $8.00 with discounts available - probably for students, children and seniors. The Museum's telephone number is: 520-624-2333.

Arizona Sate Museum is presenting Salvador Corona: Matador to Muralist - a 2010 Year of Mexico. This exhibition features work done by Mexican-born muralist and decorative artist Salvador Corona, who lived from 1895-1990. His work will be exhibited here until September 18, 2010. Admission: $5.00 per person 18 years and older and free for ages 0-17. Their daily open hours, including for its store, are open: Monday-Saturday: 10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. The museum store is closed from 12:30 P.M.-1:00 P.M. for lunch. The museum is located at: 1031 E. University Blvd., on the University campus just east of the main gate at University Boulevard and Park Avenue. Their telephone number is: 520-621-6302.

Tucson Museum of Art is presenting Viva David Tineo! A Retrospective of Tucson's Muralist and Art Educator. This exhibition features the work done by David Tineo, including his easel paintings, moveable murals, drawings - available for public commissions, and decorated architectural artifacts. His work will be exhibited here until July 3, 2010. Admission: $8.00 per person; $3.00 for students; and $6.00 for seniors. Their daily open hours are: Tuesday -Saturday: 10:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.; and Sunday noon - 5:00 P.M. The museum is located at: 140 N. Main Avenue, in the historic El Presidio neighborhood and their telephone number is: 520-624-2333.

On Mother's Day the War Brides Exhibit opens at the Pima Air & Space Museum. This exhibit displays a timeline with information and pictures of the experiences of English and European brides that came to the United States. Admission is free for this exhibit. This exhibits runs until July 18, 2010. The Pima Air & Space Museum is located at: 6000 E. Valencia Road, west of S. Kolb Road. They are open every day from 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. The last admittance is at 4:00 P.M. Their telephone number is: 520-618-4811.

The Rebirth After The Holocaust - Bergen Belsen Displaced Persons Camp - 1945-1950 exhibit will be on display in the Jewish History Museum from 12:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. This exhibit honors the bravery of the men and women who survived the holocaust. The exhibit is NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS OF AGE. Admission is $5.00 and free for students, 2010 JHM members and for students over age 17 with a student ID. This exhibit will also be on display: Wednesdays & Thursdays: 12:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.; Fridays: 11:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.; and Saturdays & Sundays: 1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. Group and school tours are given every morning and Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Tours can be booked by emailing: jewishhistorymuseum@gmail.com The museum is located at: 564 S. Stone Avenue, between 16th & 17th Streets. Their telephone number is: 520-670-9073.

At the Pamela Laurence's Collection in La Encantada, the Dutch paintings collection by Lily Marneffe titled, "Flamboyant In A Real Sense" will be on display from 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. This vibrant collection of paintings features nature. Admission is free. La Encantada is located at: 2905 E. Skyline Drive, at N. Campbell Avenue. Their telephone number is: 520-577-4994.

The 2010 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition will be displayed at the Joseph Gross Gallery and Museum of Art from 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. The exhibit features the art work of 10 artists. Admission is free. The Museum is located at: 1031 N. Olive Road, on the University of Arizona campus, at E. Speedway Blvd. Their telephone number is: 520-626-4215.

The New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-altered Landscape exhibition will be on display in the Center for Creative Photography from 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. This exhibition features artwork of landscaping in a timeline starting from 1975. Admission is free. This center is also on N. Olive Road. The address is: 1030 N. Olive Road, on the University of Arizona campus, at E. Speedway Blvd. Their telephone number is: 520-621-7968.

The Art That Heals exhibition will be on display in Tohono Chul Park from 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. This display features artwork of objects that were of healing to the artist. Admission is: $7.00 per adult, $5.00 for seniors, $5.00 for active military, $3.00 per student, and $2.00 per child. Tohono Chul Park is located at: 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, at W. Ina Road. Their telephone number is: 520-742-6455, extension 217.

The Congressional Student Art Exhibit will also be on display in Tohono Chul Park from 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. This exhibition is a student art competition with over 200 pieces of art submitted and 49 awards will be given. All grand prize winners will have their artwork displayed in the U. S. Capitol building for a year. Cash prizes are also awarded. Each year, a top grand prize winner from each congressional district across the nation is selected and the student and parents are invited to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception launching the annual national exhibition in the U.S. Capitol building. Admission is: $7.00 per adult, $5.00 for seniors, $5.00 for active military, $3.00 per student, and $2.00 per child. Tohono Chul Park is located at: 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, at W. Ina Road. Their telephone number is: 520-742-6455, extension 218.

The Artistic Innovations exhibition will be on display in the Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Gallery from 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. This display features the artwork of Nina Belans, Judie Shumann and Gwen Sossong. Admission is free. The Gallery in the park is located at: 12325 E. Roger Road, at N. Soldier Trail. Their telephone number is: 520-615-7855.

In the Tucson Museum of Art the Paintings of The New West by Ed Mell will be on display from 12:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. All of these paintings have a western theme. Admission is $8.00 with discounts available. The Museum is located at: 140 N. Main Avenue, east of N. Granada Avenue. Their telephone number is: 520-624-2333.

In Tucson International Airport's Main Gallery, local artist Barbara Rogers' paintings and photographs will be displayed in Allure of The Garden until June 30, 2010. The airport is open 24 hours. The airport is located at: 7250 S. Tucson Blvd., south of E. Valencia Road. For this event parking is charged by the hour. Their telephone number is: 520-573-8187.

In Tucson International Airport's Upper Link Gallery the artwork of David Kish will be on display. His saguaro rubbing artwork is very interesting and different. His artwork will be on display here until June 18, 2010. The airport is open 24 hours. The airport is located at: 7250 S. Tucson Blvd., south of E. Valencia Road. For this event parking is charged by the hour. Their telephone number is: 520-573-8187.

In Tucson International Airport's Lower Link Gallery the Saw.ar.o exhibition will be on display. This exhibition features the photographs and paintings of the saguaro cactus by local artists. This exhibition will be on display until June 11, 2010. The airport is open 24 hours. The airport is located at: 7250 S. Tucson Blvd., south of E. Valencia Road. For this event parking is charged by the hour. Their telephone number is: 520-573-8187.

When it's a beautiful day in Tucson, outdoors is the place to be. The Tanque Verde Swap Meet is every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with hundreds of vendors selling many new and old items. There's even people selling fresh fruit. It's very common to see items from Mexico for sale here. The Swap Meet has many of its own food and snack bars, and a merry-go-round, jumping castle, little theater and rides for the children. The Swap Meet's hours are: Thursday & Friday: 3:00 P.M. -11:00 P.M.; and Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 A.M.-11:00 P.M. The Swap Meet is located at 4100 S. Palo Verde Road and their telephone number is: 520-294-4252. Admission is free.

Mothers love to shop. These are Farmer's Markets in and near Tucson on Mother's Day and every Sunday:
A). Tucson Farmers Market in St. Philip's Plaza, at 4280 N. Campbell Avenue, which is at the southeast corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue. It is from 8:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. Their telephone number is: 520-882-2157.
B). Douglas Farmers Market at Raul Castro 10th Street Park, between Avenues D and E
in Douglas, Arizona. It is from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Their telephone number is: 1-520-805-5938.
All Farmers Market hours will change during the summer months.

Enjoy live Jazz music in the bar or on the patio of the restaurant, Old Pueblo Grille from 7:00 P.M.-10:30 P.M. There is no cover charge. See my article on Restaurants for Mother's Day Brunch in Tucson, Arizona to enjoy a Mother's Day meal here also. Old Pueblo Grille is located at: 60 N. Alvernon Way, north of E. Broadway Blvd. Their telephone number is: 520-326-6000.

If you want to venture a bit past Tucson and do something different on Mother's Day:

From May 6th-9th, the Desert Magic Festival 2010 will be at the C.O.D. Ranch & Retreat starting at 4:00 P.M. The festival will consist of workshops, presentations, rituals, merchants and bardic evenings. Indoor accommodations and camping accommodations are available. This is for all ages and the fee is $75.00-$200.00 per person. C.O.D. Ranch & Retreat is located just 20 miles north of Tucson in Oracle, Arizona. Their telephone number is: 520-437-3958. Information and registration is available on their website at: www.ssg-adf/desertmagic.com

On Saturday & Sunday, May 8th and 9th 2010, the Holy Trinity Monastery's Benedictine community at St. David is having their annual Fiesta de la Primavera from 10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 8th and from 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. on Sunday the 9th, Mother's Day. There will be 150 artists along with entertainment and delicious food. A beef dinner will be served in Benedict Hall, an Italian dinner in the Outside Inn, salad entrees in Father Louis Hall, hamburgers, etc. at La Fonda, and frozen treats, coffee and bakery items in the Rose Garden Plaza. If you would like to go to Mass, Mass will be offered both Saturday at 5:00 P.M. and Sunday at 10:30 A.M. and at noon. The Tongans will provide the music at the 10:30 A.M. Mass and the music ministry will provide it for the other masses. An ongoing variety of entertainment will be on the Rose Plaza and in the chapel, such as barbershop music. There will be a raffle drawing at 4:00 P.M on Sunday, with $2,000 in cash prizes. While you are there, visit the Monastery's book store and thrift shop. The used book kiosk will also have a lot to see and buy. Benedictine bread, tamales, and pecans and other baked goods will be sold at a booth. Holy Trinity Monastery is two miles south of St. David on Hwy 80, between Benson and Tombstone, just beyond milepost 302. The Monastery office telephone number is: 520-720-4642 and their guest office telephone number is: 520-720-4016.

Further north:

On Saturday & Sunday, May 8th and 9th 2010, in Williams, Arizona Grand Canyon Railway is celebrating: Amtrak's National Train day 2010. This event will be from 10:00 A.M.-6:30 P.M. on both Saturday and Sunday. At the Grand Canyon Railway's depot there will be a full weekend of free train related activities for the whole family as well as the train buff. There will be fun activities for the whole family. Visitors can enjoy a display of railroad locomotives and cars - some to ride on, displays from the Arizona Railroad Museum, a computer railroad simulator, live entertainment and delicious food. There will only be a charge for an optional 45 minute train ride, which will run hourly from 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. with a special sunset photographer's run at 6pm. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $10 for children and can be purchased at the depot on both days. One block from the event is downtown Williams, where there are many shops featuring Route 66 memorabilia as well as art and other craft items. Their toll-free telephone number is: 800-863-0546. To get to the event, take I-40 west from Flagstaff to the Williams exits. Take any Williams exit and go to the center of town. The Depot is just at the railroad tracks and at Grand Canyon Blvd. Parking is free.

Happy Mother's Day!