February 15, 2025
The Wailin’ Jennys!!!
Tonight’s one we’ve been waiting for ever since arriving in town and we by chance learned that the Wailin’ Jennys would be performing at the Fox Theater while we’re in Tucson. We decided to take a rare day off so we’d be well rested and alert enough to enjoy the show, so neither of us did anything noteworthy enough to be sharable from the day. It’s all about the show this time, but you’ll be glad to see we still slipped in a bike at the end.
The Fox Theater is on Congress Street, right in the heart of historical Tucson. We could have walked to the nearest streetcar stop to get down there, but my knees have been bothering me enough lately that we decided to plan on Uber for transportation in both directions. And knowing that ride prices were likely to jump significantly and rides might be harder to get and come with longer wait times if we waited too long, we got an early start and were dropped in front of the theater around six. The show starts at 7:30 and doors open an hour earlier, so that left us a half hour to kill time somewhere.
We began by walking to the corner and standing in a doorway that sheltered us from the cold wind. It was a warm day, but the temperature does really plummet fast here once the sun disappears behind the Tucson Mountains.
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While I stood in the entryway and looked around for things worth aiming the camera at, Rachael wandered off to explore the immediate neighborhood.
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Rachael’s foray was a big success, and she returned in a few minutes to let me know she’d found a bar at the opposite end of the block where we could sit inside and order a snack while we wait for doors to open.
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The outer doors were open when we returned, but not the stage itself. While we waited sitting in the lobby we enjoyed a chat with one of the volunteers, who said she signed up excited to have a chance to see Waylon Jennings! And then she added that she was surprised he was still alive (spoiler alert - he died over 20 years ago). I trust she enjoyed the show anyway.
Inside, I occupied my time looking around and admiring the beautiful theater. Opened in 1930 as a combination movie house and vaudeville stage, the Fox Tucson Theater is a beautiful structure and the only known example of a southwestern art deco movie palace. Reading up on it in this Wikipedia article later, It was startling to realize it had shuttered in the 1970’s and lay vacant for thirty years, falling into massive disrepair and becoming overrun with a homeless population. The story of its restoration, its history since then, and its key role in the revitalization of the vibrant downtown that exists here today is a truly inspiring one and well worth reading. I especially enjoyed reading of the opening night festivities, when there was dancing, dancing in the streets! It’s a vastly smaller scale project of course, but it makes me think of France’s decision to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral and how much is possible if people come together.
And gradually attention turns to what’s happening on stage. The show is completely sold out and was mostly so when we looked for tickets, but we were lucky to find two seats together that are reasonably close to the stage. It’s a good venue for sight lines, we have a clear, unobstructed view of the stage, and no one is sitting in front of us wearing a bowler hat of all things. But it could be better. Were seated in row U, just far enough back that the faces are a bit blurry. It’s not bad, but noticeable. Even three or four rows closer would have made a significant difference. If we’re lucky enough to still have a country we feel we can return to next winter and come back to Tucson, we’ll certainly check to see what’s on at both the Fox and the Rogue Theater well before coming down.
And, of course, it’s a music performance. Sightlines matter, but it’s mostly about the sound; and the famous acoustics of the theater really are excellent - as are the singers. It must be said though that they’re no Wailon Jennings. So don’t go if you’re hoping for some Outlaw Country, because they ain’t that. If you love the magical sound of three stellar voices in perfect harmony serving up an inspirational message though, you should give the Wailin’ Jennys a try.
And just a note in passing. They’ve moved around now - one still lives far north in Winnipeg, one is down in the southwest in Taos, one lived in Portland for awhile - but originally they began north of the border. So thanks, Canada. Life was better when we were just best friends. We don’t really need to own you, and I hope we’ll still be welcome up there in the future.
So that’s the night. As soon as the last number finishes and the crowd rises as one for the standing ovation we immediately head for the exit and are on the street hailing an Uber. One arrives four minutes later, and it’s only triple the cost of the ride down.
Simple, sweet, superb. Team Anderson really should try taking a day off more often.
Today's ride: 15 miles (24 km)
Total: 871 miles (1,402 km)
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