We are in Tucson for a week. Fortunately we have a social director in the person of DeAnna, our friend who now travels only part time with her husband, Al. DeAnna loves the culture in Tucson and let us know about a storytelling event that takes place monthly at the Congress Hotel in downtown Tucson. The series is called Odyssey, and is a program of StoryArtsGroup, Inc. The theme for February? Exposed: Naked in Public.
Lest you be horrified (or disappointed), the storytellers were not naked. Their stories were about times they were exposed - physically or emotionally. Six tellers, plus an impromptu teller, told a variety of stories, each ten minutes long. While not of the same caliber of the tellers who come each year to Pine for the Tellebration (photo), their stories were interesting and revealing, to say the least. This is a popular event - at least this theme was - the place was SRO.
You can reserve a seat if you purchase dinner in the cafe. While DeAnna said it wasn't the best meal, the woman sitting to my right said they had just upgraded the menu and had more choices. She had a ham and cheese grilled sandwich with an egg on top! However, she said the salads looked delicious. Reserved seats were in front and took up more than half the chairs, so it is a good way to be sure you get a seat.
We opted to eat at our favorite Tucson restaurant, Cafe Poca Cosa, just a few blocks away on Pennington. Besides delicious food, the presentation is fabulous. Unfortunately I accidentally deleted the photos I took of our dinners! (At the Web site, click on Passion and you can get a glimpse of a few dishes.) George had Pollo Mole Negra (a chicken mole) and I had Pollo Crema Chili Ahumado. Mine was scrumptious.
The only negative about coming here is that no two day's menus are the same. The chances of finding my dish again are practically nil and I would get it again in a minute. Each meal- lunch and dinner - has a choice of eight items all created that day after the owner/chef, Suzana Davila, shops and decides on the menu. Your server b,rings the menu written on a chalkboard. It changes between lunch and dinner. You can order a single item or a platter with three items. You don't know what the items she'll choose for your platter so if you don't eat beef or pork, it's not a good choice. When you have a group, it's a wonderful way to get a taste of each menu item. The house margaritas were excellent too.
Next month, March 4, the storytelling theme is "New shoes: the fashion show." If you are in the area, you can have a fun evening by attending. Get there at least 20 minutes early to get a seat. Cost is $7 at the door. Don't bring your RV; no parking for large vehicles. We all enjoy a good story and this is a fun way to peek into someone else's life and Tucson culture. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
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