CIMAFUNK
@ the Rialto Theatre 
w/ support from Mariachi Nuevo Azteca de Tucson & Pijama Piyama

Presented by Pueblos del Maiz
In collaboration with Best Life Presents, Galeria Mitotera, Arizona Arts Live, & Tucson International Mariachi Conference

Doors 6pm / Show 7pm 
$20 ADV / $25 DOS
All Ages

Cimafunk is a Grammy-nominated, Afro-Cuban Rockstar. His name refers to his heritage as a "cimarrón," Cubans of African descent who resisted and escaped slavery, as well as to the essence of his music that aims to subvert classical Cuban rhythms with innovative mixes of funk, afrobeat and hip hop. Cimafunk has received overwhelming praise touring the U.S. and Europe, making a name for himself as one of today's great showman, performing an electric live show with La Tribu, his 9-person band from Havana. His live show is a celebration of groove and an unforgettable sonic and bodily experience. Cimafunk is redefining contemporary Cuban music as well as Afro-Latin identity and the fusion of black cultures. His latest album, El Alimento, was nominated at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album.

Milpas and Microbes: Landscapes of Fermentation | Dr. César Ojeda Linares

• Date: Sunday, April 14th,

• Time: 2pm-3pm

• Location:  FORGE at Roy Place, 44 N Stone Ave 

This free presentation by a pioneer in ethnomicrobiology will explore how the traditional milpa agricultural system of Mesoamerica creates landscapes designed to provide the ingredients for a variety of traditional fermented beverages made with maize and complementary crops through microbial interactions. 

Tarpuna: el maíz film 

Sunday, April 14th
12pm-1:30pm
at FORGE at Roy Place
44 N Stone Ave

(2019, 34 min, Spanish with English subtitles)

Free film screening and Q&A with producer Dr. Pilar Eguez Guevara 

Co-sponsored by the UA Center for Latin American Studies

In this award-winning documentary film by the Seeds Savers Network of Ecuador, traditional farmers in the highlands of Ecuador share their skills and traditions to preserve, exchange, and reproduce their most sacred seed. The film is a captivating journey into the indigenous ceremonial rituals, rich with cultural significance, that revolve around the sowing and harvest seasons and the preparation of corn-based recipes that have ritual and medicinal uses. The film's producer, Dr. Pilar Egüez Guevara, will talk to the audience after the film. 

Live music by:
Angel Norteño
Los Gallegos
Native Creed
Dámaris Bójor
La Nueva Onda
DJ TitoSuavecito

Hosted by MC Raul Aguirre

Performance by Compañia de Danza Folklórica Arizona and Mariachi Los Dragoncitos

Family friendly activities & live art installations by Galeria Mitotera

4pm-10pm / ALL AGES / FREE

Tucson City of Gastronomy presents the 3rd annual "Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta," a  FREE community event at Kennedy Park. Starting at 4pm, Kennedy Park will transform into a maíz themed fiesta with live music from Los Gallegos and more. The event will also feature local food and artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and art installations, all celebrating the cultural and culinary significance of Maíz in the Sonoran Desert.

BIDI BIDI BANDA (Selena Tribute Band)
@ the Hotel Congress

Presented by Pueblos del Maiz and Hotel Congress

Doors 7pm / Show 8pm 
$15 ADV / $20 DOS
21+

Bidi Bidi Banda is Austin's first all-star Selena Tribute, embarking on their final tour! Composed of members of some of Austin's premier latin bands, Bidi Bidi Banda is the refried dream of Stephanie Bergara, a native Austinite who grew up listening to Tejano radio and singing in to a hair brush while wearing her mother's red lipstick. The band's interpretation of Selena's greatest hits will leave you belting lyrics, doing the washing machine and reliving greatness of the Queen of Tejano Music.

Learn to Make Maíz Recipes from Texas and Yucatan

Free cooking demonstrations and tastings of traditional and innovative maize dishes by chefs visiting from San Antonio and Mérida, Mexico.

Friday, April 12, 6 - 7:30pm

Pima Community College - Desert Vista Campus
5901 South Calle Santa Cruz 
Parking in north parking lot
Pueblo Building, Section D, RM D104 

@ Carriage House
7pm-10pm Dinner
$150 / 21+
Featuring Chefs from four UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy
w/ visiting chefs from Mérida MX, San Antonio TX, & Bergamo-Gandino, IT
wine-paired courses + hors d’oeuvres

Tucson City of Gastronomy and Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT) present an unforgettable dinner to kick off Pueblos del Maíz 2024. Visiting chefs from sister UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy, Mérida MX, Bergamo-Gandino IT, and San Antonio TX will collaborate with award-winning local chefs to prepare wine-paired courses highlighting corn's creative culinary possibilities.

Kick off Pueblos del Maiz weekend with a Viejo Pueblo at Borderlands Brewery. Taste the special brew made for Pueblos del Maiz with 60 day Tohono O'odham corn, grown at the San Xavier Co-op Farm right here in Southern Arizona. Grab a pint on happy hour after attending the Sabor de la Comunidad: A Celebration of Hispanic Food Entrepreneurs at FORGE at Roy Place down the road on Thursday, April 11th.

Sabor de la Comunidad: A Celebration of Hispanic Food Entrepreneurs

Date: Thursday, April 11th, 3pm – 5:30 pm

Location: FORGE at Roy Place, 44 N Stone Ave

Hosted by: University of Arizona FORGE in partnership with Tucson City of Gastronomy and Local First Arizona.

This community event celebrates local Hispanic food entrepreneurs through a fusion of music, educational panels, business support opportunities, and product demonstrations, showcasing Tucson's rich diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with business support organizations, enjoy live music, and meet many of the Hispanic food entrepreneurs moving Tucson's food forward.  The event includes a panel on Success in Food Entrepreneurship moderated by Ray Flores, the President of Flores Concepts.

Join us for "A Taste of Pueblos del Maiz" at Casa Hernan! Chef Johnny Hernandez and visiting chefs from the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy- Mérida (Mexico) and Tucson (Arizona) will prepare an array of maíz tastings as we celebrate the rich traditions of maíz throughout May.

Benjamin Krick from Pastiche will provide a cocktail demonstration featuring Tejuino con Elote with Vago Elote Mezcal.

UTSA Libraries will have a pop-up display of their maíz cookbooks.

Andres Lobato, a photographer from Puebla, will provide a photography exhibit: “Mazorca, multicolored pattern of traditions and culture of maize in Puebla, Mexico” available for purchase through silent auction.

Tickets includes one complimentary cocktail, maíz tastings from each of the three chefs and sweet maíz desserts.

Chefs will utilize the Culinary Institute of America of San Antonio Outdoor kitchen space to provide an educational cooking demonstration using sustainable ingredients and the impact climate change has on their local cuisine. As part of our Pueblos del Maíz celebration, chefs from the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy- San Antonio, Tucson, and Mérida will also incorporate maíz in their dish and share how it connects with each city’s culinary heritage.

Schedule of Events:

5:30- 6:30PM San Antonio- Chef Stephen Paprocki

6:30- 7:30PM Tucson- Chef Obadiah “Obie” Hindman

7:30- 8:30PM Mérida- Chef Juanita Selena

This is an opportunity to explore maíz from different regions of the Americas. Free samplings of each chef's dish will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

La Sonora Dinamita 

@ the Rialto Theatre 

w/ support from Mariachi Luz de Luna

Food, drinks, & more! 

Presented by Pueblos del Maiz, Agave Heritage Festival, and Tucson International Mariachi Conference

Doors 7pm / Show 8pm 

 $30-50 / All Ages

Pueblos del Maiz, Agave Heritage Festival, and Tucson International Mariachi Conference present Colombia's LA SONORA DINAMITA con Vilma Díaz at the Rialto Theatre on Sunday, May 7th. The legendary group featuring “the Diva of Cumbia” will light up the Rialto Theatre stage with all your favorite cumbia hits. Mariachi Luz de Luna will open the evening, Mezcal specials at R Bar, and a guest food truck in the alley.

Maiz Fiesta at Kennedy Park 

w/ live music by Los Apson

Gertie & TO Boyz, Los Hermanos Cuatro, & Mariapaula Mazon

DJ G & MC Raul Aguirre 

Family friendly activities hosted by Pima Public Library and Pima Reach 

Chef Demonstrations by UNESCO/Tucson City of Gastronomy Chefs

Live Art Installations by Galeria Mitotera

4pm-10pm / ALL AGES / FREE

Tucson City of Gastronomy presents the 2nd annual "Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta," a  FREE community event at Kennedy Park. Starting at 4pm, Kennedy Park will transform into a maíz themed fiesta with live music from Los Apson, Gertie & the T.O. Boyz, Los Hermanos Cuatro, and Mariapaula Mazon. The event will also feature local food and artisan vendors, chef demonstrations, family-friendly activities, and art installations, all celebrating the cultural and culinary significance of Maíz in the Sonoran Desert.

Free, with suggested donation at the Garden entrance

Tucson City of Gastronomy and Mission Garden are participating in the new corn-centered festival of Pueblos del Maiz. This year Mission Garden focuses on the processing of corn through nixtamalization.

Maiz Showcase

Bocadito Dinner Experience

Doors at 6:30pm / Dinner service at 7pm - 10pm

@ Tucson Museum of Art

Tucson City of Gastronomy presents the Maíz Showcase, a bocadito dinner experience featuring some of Tucson's finest chefs, restaurateurs, and food artisans including Wendy Garcia (Tumerico & La Chaiteria), Analy Guzman (El Antojo Poblano), Juan Alamanza (El Taco Rustico), Devon Sanner (Zio Peppe), Tanner Fleming (The Coronet), Ahydée Almazán (Dolce Pastello), and Mary Steiger & Susan Fulton (Gourmet Girls Gluten Free), all together in Downtown Tucson.

Join us as we celebrate various members of the Tucson City of Gastronomy's dynamic roster with one common element to tie everything together, Maíz. $75 will include TEN small plates, ONE Pueblos del Maíz signature beer by Borderlands Brewery, and some special surprises from other TCoG affiliates. Arrive at 6:30pm to see the Justin Favela exhibit at Tucson Museum of Art before food service begins at 7pm.

Attendees can start the evening at 6:00pm in the TMA Stonewall Community Room, where there will be an illustrated presentation on Traditional Maíz Beverages in Mexico

All Sales Final.

Traditional Maíz Beverages in Mexico/Ojeda

6:00pm – 6:45pm

@ Tucson Museum of Art, Stonewall Community Room, 175 N. Meyer Ave

A little-known aspect of Mexico's culinary legacy, traditional fermented maize beverages will be the subject of an illustrated lecture by Dr. Cesar Ojeda Linares. His research has documented a previously unrecognized diversity in these beverages, and explored the associated microbial-human interactions as a part of traditional ecological knowledge.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Native Seeds/SEARCH, a seed bank conserving more than 2,000 varieties of desert-adapted seeds of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, including more than two dozen traditional varieties of maize. NS/S and the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area partnered to develop this special tour for the Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta. 

Noche de Maiz Dinner

@ Carriage House
6pm-7pm Photo Exhibit
7pm-10pm Dinner
$200 / 21+
Featuring Chef Janos, Chef Gary Hickey & Chef Tyler Fenton
w/ visiting chefs from Merida & San Antonio
6 paired courses + hors d’oeuvres

Tucson City of Gastronomy and Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT) come together at The Carriage House to present an unforgettable kickoff to Pueblos del Maíz 2023. Chef Janos Wilder, Chef Gary Hickey & Chef Tyler Fenton will welcome visiting chefs from UNESCO Pueblos del Maíz sister cities, Mérida MX and San Antonio TX. Each visiting chef will collaborate with renowned local chefs to prepare a series of paired courses highlighting the creative culinary possibilities for the cultural staple, Maíz. 

Come early at 6:00 to see a new photography exhibit presented in person by award-winning photographer and journalist Andrés Lobato from Puebla, Mexico. The exhibit documents some of the living traditions and ceremonies celebrating the important role of maíz in the Puebla region, where maíz was first cultivated eight millennia ago.

Opening Celebration of Popol Vuh and the Maya Art of Storytelling

@ Tucson Museum of Art

5pm-8pm

FREE 

On the first Thursday of the month the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block offers extended hours and pay-what-you-wish admission from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. On May’s First Thursday explore the feature exhibitions Popol Vuh and the Maya Art Storytelling, and Jose Luis Cuevas: Unpardonable Sin.

At 5:00 pm in conjunction with Popol Vuh and the Maya Art of Storytelling, join contemporary artist Justin Favela as he offers insights to his creative practice and his relationships with the Popol Vuh story and the work of Carlos Mérida. Then, enjoy the kick-off for his Family Fiesta—a public celebration and performance work featuring his family’s traditions, live music, art-making activities and more!

Kick off Pueblos del Maiz weekend with a Viejo Pueblo at Borderlands Brewery. Taste the special brew made for Pueblos del Maiz with 60 day Tohono O'odham corn, grown at the San Xavier Co-op Farm right here in Southern Arizona. Grab a pint on happy hour before heading to Tucson Museum of Art or Carriage House on Thursday, May 4th!

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Native Seeds/SEARCH, a seed bank conserving more than 2,000 varieties of desert-adapted seeds of the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, including more than two dozen traditional varieties of maize. NS/S and the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area partnered to develop this special tour for the Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta. 

A preview of the Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta with bocaditos by Tucson's Chef Ambassadors, local wine and spirits, and music by Salvador Duran.

These Tucson City of Gastronomy Certified restaurants will offer special maize-themed menus or dishes on Mother's Day. Dine at any of these restaurants on Mother's Day (May 8th), post a photo of your meal, and tag @tucsoncityofgastronomy with the hashtag #tourdemaiz to be entered to win a gift card to one of our certified restaurants. Check back soon for more restaurants and details.

Barrio Charro

Blue Willow

Three course Mother's Day menu, with every dish featuring corn! Available May 5-8, for $28.

• First: Grilled Corn and Roasted Tomato Salad- with pepitas and vinaigrette

• Main: Carnitas Pupusas- fried Masa Cakes

• Dessert: Caramel Cheesecake- with salted caramel popcorn and caramel sauce

• Add this spicy corn cocktail for $10! Maiz Tierno: Habanero-infused tequila blanco, fresh grilled corn, agave, pineapple, lemon, hibiscus

Charro Steak and Del Rey

Charrovida

Crossroads Fine Mexican Restaurant

Pre-fix menu, package for two: Two plates of sweet corn tamales with Monterey cheese and chile verde strip inside served with refried beans. Limited special price of $25!

Cup Cafe

Cast Iron Tamale Pie: Cast iron sautéed corn, green chiles, potatoes, olives, and pickled jalapeños, corn maseca masa, eggs any style, ranchero or tomatillo sauce (enjoy as part of Cup Cafe's Mother's Day 3-Course Brunch Menu).

El Charro

The Delta

Holy Tamale! Cocktail debut. This is an original, one of a kind cocktail! Nixta Licor de Elote, Ancho Reyes Verde Chili Poblano Liquor, cream, mild sweet jalapeno, fresh lemon, served over pebble ice. *Nixta Licor de Elote is an ancestral corn liqueur from Jilotepec, Mexico - the birthplace of corn. More than just a crop, corn is a foundational element and valued heirloom in the cultural identity of Mexico, and Nixta was created to be the world’s purest form of ancestral corn distillation.”

Tito & Pep

Tucson Tamale

Mother's Day Family Platter Special, only $29.99. Includes eight assorted hot tamales, two 16-oz sides (choose from Spanish rice, pinto beans, black beans, cold basmati rice, Mexican slaw, or dinner salad), and chips and salsa! Regularly $38.99.