The Southern Arizona Roadrunners expect 1,500 participants at the 5th annual TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run & Walk next Saturday, June 4th. This is one of Southern Arizona’s most unique running events, but it’s not just a race. It’s a walk and run for all ages and abilities, and promotes exercise, socializing downtown, and fund-raising for charity.

The path is 3.1 miles and winds through downtown. The event raises money for local organizations including the Children’s Museum, the Educational Enrichment Foundation, the Fox Theatre, Southern Arizona Roadrunners Children’s Fitness Fund and many others. Registration is $25 through May 30th, and $30 up until the race starts. Participation includes a free t-shirt and entry into a variety of raffles. There will be activities for children, and any under 10 are free. Visit the Southern Arizona Roadrunner website or call 520-991-0733 for more information.

Next Saturday, May 21st at the Fox Theatre The Philly Soul Experience will take you back in time. The great Bunny Sigler, “Mr. Emotion” himself, and Instant Funk will perform all the great hits of the Philly Soul era. Prepare to sing and dance the night away to the Disco, Funk and R&B classic songs by the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The 3 degrees, The Delfonics and many other great artists of the time.

Of course, Bunny and Instant Funk will also perform their greatest hits. There will be a picture opportunity with “Mr. Emotion” after the show benefiting the Casa de los Ninos charities. The show starts at 7:30 and is an all ages event. (520) 624-151

Beyond The Sacred Music & Arts Festival is a two-day event celebrating all things Sacred, showcasing some of the most important underground musicians and cutting-edge international visionary artists. This is a grassroots event created and inspired by artists and musicians, who have come together in celebration of Sacred Machine‘s one-year anniversary.

The art exhibition’s opening reception is Friday, May 13th from 7pm-midnight, and will be on display until July 31st. Twenty-four world-renowned artists from Scotland, Spain, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and across the U.S. converge on Tucson at Sacred Machine Museum. For more info call 520-777-7403.

The music event is Saturday, May 14th from 7pm-2am at the Rialto Theatre. Join Gabriel Sullivan and The Taraf de Tucson, The Jons, Brian Lopez, Blind Divine, Ensphere, and Dead Western Plains for an epic night of music and drama. Tickets are $8 at the door and all ages are welcome.

Daniel Martin Diaz (Tucson)

For 37 consecutive years, the Centurions have invented creative themes to give life to their party and this year is no exception.

The Centurions present a Roaring ’20s-themed charitable event featuring dining, dancing, live bands, costume contest, casino, and more to benefit Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital. Food, gambling, raffles and costume contests are featured in a street party staged downtown at Fifth Ave. and Congress St from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, May 7.

Current efforts by the Centurions are part of a five-year, two-million-dollar pledge to the hospital by the Centurions, which commenced in 2008. Fulfillment of the pledge is made possible by the Centurions through their volunteer efforts, ticket and raffle sales and the financial support of dozens of generous corporate sponsors. At $75 per head, $50 of each ticket price is tax deductible. Tickets and corporate packages are now available for purchase from any Centurion or online at www.thecenturions.com.

This will be the first time in over two decades that the Centurions have staged their event downtown and they hope to draw an estimated 6,000 party goers.

Image courtesy of Tucson Lifestyle

Tucson, Az. (April 12, 2011) – Southwest Soul Circuit (SWSC), a local music production business, and Garden Youth Development Project (GYDP) announced the first annual UNITY & INSPIRATION WEEKEND! This two day event includes CommUNITY Fest. and “An Night of Inspiration – Gospel Concert” to be held at Mansfield Park and the Tucson Convention Center on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 respectively.

“Each year we seek to uplift, inspire, and entertain our community with family friendly events that promote unity” said Kevin Hamilton, co-founder and musical director of SWSC. “This year we encourage other producers, promoters, singers, musicians, social service organizations, businesses and churches to join us in creating a stronger sense of community, especially after all of the violence we’ve had in Tucson this year.”

This year’s Unity and Inspiration Weekend will feature a gospel concert May 1 at the Tucson Convention Center’s Leo Rich Theatre at 5PM. Kevin & Tanishia Hamilton will be in concert along with special guest host Dr. Verlean Turner of “A Resilient You” online radio. Also featuring recording artists Brian Horn of Midland, Tx., Creasha Randall from Tucson,Az., and other Southwest Soul Circuit artists.

CommUNITY Fest. is scheduled April 30 and Mansfield park from 10AM – 4PM. “There will be a host of participants at this year’s community building event,” said Tanishia Hamilton, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of SWSC. “There will be food, fun, and games at the park, along with a DJ and live performances from local recording artists.” Tucson Urban League will inform the public of their social services, Dunbar Barber Academy will offer free haircuts to the public, and much more. Local youth from Garden Youth Development Project will collaborate with local mentoring programs to provide event coordination as part of their training.

Garden Youth Development Project, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization which seeks to create a quality learning environment for community youth to develop life skills through the arts. Our project-based approach includes such activities as: Multi-Media productions which will include film, music, and/or stage productions which take place during each school semester; A CD and/or film project during our Summer Music and Recording Arts Program; Specialized projects for at risk youth through diversion programs and probation/parole programs.

The Southwest Soul Circuit is a music production business which specializes in live concerts and studio recording. Established in 2006 by Kevin and Tanishia Hamilton, the Southwest Soul Circuit is a music production company seeking to raise the Southwest’s quality of life. Our mission is to uplift, inspire, and entertain the Southwest by combining music with community service. our core cities of service include San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Sierra Vista, Albuquerque, El Paso, and Dallas.

On Saturday, May 21, Bunny Sigler will bring his Philly Soul Experience to the Fox Tucson Theatre. Backed by the Instant Funk band, Sigler will perform hits by The O Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Delfonics, and other artists from the 70s Philly Soul era.