Life Along The Streetcar

This week on Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath sits down with three of Tucson’s standout muralists — Jessica Gonzales, Camila Ibarra, and Pen Macias — to discuss their collaborative mural, “Threads of Tucson, Woven by Women.” Located in the El Presidio neighborhood, the mural celebrates the women, traditions, cultures, and communities that have helped shape Tucson’s story. Jessica, Camila, and P...

This week on Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath sits down with Sofia Perez and Darlene Ollada from the Fox Tucson Theatre, winners of the inaugural Streetcar Cocktail Competition. Their winning cocktail, La Luz, tells a Tucson story through coffee, creativity, and a deep connection to the urban core. Sofia and Darlene share how the drink came together, from early failed experiments to the final a...

This week on Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath sits down with Dean Howard, the namesake behind Dean’s Public House on Fourth Avenue. Dean shares his Tucson story, from arriving as a child and falling in love with orange blossoms, sunshine, and lizards, to discovering the service industry through Mama’s Pizza and eventually helping transform Trackside into Dean’s Public House. The conversation ex...

This week on Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath sits down with Matt August, the Kasser Family Artistic Director of Arizona Theatre Company — Arizona’s official state theater. From Broadway and Madison Square Garden to Tucson’s historic Temple of Music and Art, Matt shares the journey that brought him to Southern Arizona and how ATC continues to produce nationally recognized theater right here in...

In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, we sit down with Tucson-based artist Angela Solis as part of our “Meet the Artist” collaboration with the Tucson Gallery. Angela shares her journey from growing up in the Sonoran Desert to traveling the world—and ultimately returning home to reconnect with her roots. Drawing inspiration from nature, family heritage, and the expansive energy of the deser...

What starts with a few dance moves can turn into something much bigger. In this episode of Meet the Artist, we sit down with Brian Dahl, better known as The Guy Who Dances on Congress—a local creative who’s turned energy, movement, and connection into a growing brand across Tucson. From dancing at Hotel Congress to collaborating with local businesses, launching products, and even creating his own...

In this episode we collaborate with the Tucson Gallery and present Meet the Artist. Host Tom Heath sits down with Tucson-based artist Victor Navarro for an engaging conversation about creativity, culture, and the journey that shapes an artist’s work. Victor shares insights into his artistic process, the experiences that have influenced his style, and how his work connects to both local and interna...

Tucson muralist Ignacio Garcia returns to Life Along the Streetcar to share what he’s been working on since his last visit, when we discussed the unveiling of his massive Los Vaqueros mural celebrating 100 years of Tucson rodeo history. In this first part of our conversation, Ignacio gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, the research and emotion that go into each of his murals...

What happens when you dedicate an entire radio show to music made right here in Arizona? This week on Life Along the Streetcar, Tom sits down with Hope and Bo — the voices behind The Arizona 411, Downtown Radio Tucson’s program devoted exclusively to Arizona-made music. Since launching the show, they’ve spotlighted hundreds of artists from across the state — from Tucson’s hip-hop roots to indie ro...

Downtown Tucson is shaking things up—and this episode is proof that the rising tide truly raises all ships. 🌊 This week on Life Along the Streetcar, host Tom Heath sits down with two of Tucson’s influential hospitality entrepreneurs: Billy Elliott of Elliott’s on Congress and Brendan Scott of John Henry’s and the recently renamed Dean’s Public House, to talk about their exciting new venture—Stage...

📅 Original Air Date: January 2026 📻 As heard on Downtown Radio 99.1 FM & DowntownRadio.org This week on Life Along the Streetcar, we’re tipping our hats to one of Tucson’s most iconic events — the Tucson Rodeo Parade! 🤠 Host Tom Heath chats with Herb Wagner, a dedicated volunteer and local historian who’s been involved with the parade since the 1980s. Herb takes us back to the origins of this u...

Tucson photographer Steven Meckler joins Life Along the Streetcar to talk about photography, storytelling, and life in downtown Tucson. Living and working in the urban core since the early 1980s, Meckler has documented Tucson’s makers, musicians, architects, and cultural moments with an eye for narrative and environment. In this conversation, host Tom Heath explores how Meckler approaches environm...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Krystal Popov, founder of FuturePreneur, we explore how her hands-on business kits and upcoming FuturePreneur Live event are helping kids—starting as young as seven—discover their creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial spark. Krystal shares how parents and children learn together, why real-world skills matter, and what families can expect at the February Fut...

Krystal Popov joins us for Part 1 of a fascinating two-part interview. As the founder of Proper Shops and now the powerhouse behind FuturePreneur, Krystal shares her journey from engineer to entrepreneur — and her passion for making business dreams accessible to all, especially kids. FuturePreneur is a movement: hands-on business kits for youth aged 7–14 that teach real-world entrepreneurship thro...

We're shifting gears this week and diving into a major topic that’s shaping Downtown Tucson’s future — affordable homeownership and urban density. Host Tom Heath sits down with Louis Parrish of United Realty Specialists to explore a new condo development project that could transform the residential landscape in the heart of the city. Whether you're a real estate enthusiast, a hopeful homeowner, or...

What does it take to lead a movement rooted in compassion, equity, and community healing? In this powerful episode of Life Along the Streetcar, we sit down with Anna Harper, the newly appointed CEO of the Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse. She reflects on her 26-year journey from earning $9 an hour as a frontline advocate to now leading one of Tucson’s most vital organizations. Anna shares deep...

This week on Life Along the Streetcar, we welcome the inspiring Camila Ibarra—a civil engineer-turned-muralist who's transforming Tucson's walls with color and culture. Camila shares how she transitioned from technical work to full-time artistry, the story behind her massive 250th birthday mural for Tucson, and why art in public spaces matters. Whether you're a mural enthusiast, a fellow creative,...

🎙️ This week on Life Along The Streetcar – we're diving into the vibrant pulse of Tucson's urban core as it comes alive this November! No guest this time—just you and me exploring the can’t-miss festivals, cultural celebrations, and community experiences that make Downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods truly shine. From street fairs to local art, food, and music events, we’re highlighting ever...

This week on Life Along the Streetcar, we dive into the silver-lined world of Erik Buckley, founder of ENB Jewelry, whose handcrafted pieces are inspired by Tucson’s vibrant art culture and enriched by century-old design traditions. From cutting rough turquoise like a loaf of bread to using 1800s-era impression dies, Erik walks us through his fascinating process, his family’s artistic roots, and t...

On this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, we sit down with Michael Kramkowski, the driving force behind IBT’s Bar + Food, one of Tucson’s most iconic LGBTQ+ venues. He is nowthe visionary behind Nathan’s Famous and The Blind Tiger on Fourth Avenue. As IBT’s approaches its 40th anniversary, Michael shares how he's blending historic Tucson flavor with fresh ideas. From bringing the legendary Nath...

After a five-year hiatus, the Tucson Greek Festival is back, and it's bringing the spirit of Greece straight to the heart of Downtown! In this episode, we sit down with Peter Anadranistakis, one of the driving forces behind the festival’s return, to explore how this beloved tradition is being reimagined for a new generation and a new location. Hosted by Tom Heath, this lively conversation covers:...

The Tucson Gallery is back—and it's more vibrant than ever. In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, we’re celebrating the grand reopening of the Tucson Gallery in its brand-new location at 245 E Congress St, Suite 101, right next to the Ronstadt Center in downtown Tucson. To mark this exciting moment, we’re revisiting a powerful interview with Jessica Gonzales, one of Tucson’s most acclaimed...

Get ready for goosebumps as guest host Amanda Mourelatos steps into the eerie streets of downtown Tucson with Sully McGinnis, a passionate guide with Freaky Foot Tours. In this episode, we explore the spine-tingling blend of local lore, haunted history, and heartfelt storytelling that makes Tucson one of Arizona’s most paranormally charged cities. From chilling encounters during home renovations t...

Tucson just turned 250 and we’re marking the milestone with a cannon blast and a return to where it all began. In this special episode of Life Along the Streetcar, we revisit a 2017 interview with historian and volunteer Rick Collins at the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson, the original Spanish fort that gave rise to the city we now call home. From blacksmith demonstrations to tortilla-making, tin...

In this inspiring episode of Life Along the Streetcar, guest host Brittany Battle sits down with Ricky Hunley — College Football Hall of Famer, two-time consensus All-American, and the highest draft pick in University of Arizona history. Ricky opens up about his humble beginnings in Virginia, how a twist of fate (and some sunny Tucson weather) led him to Arizona, and how his time as a Wildcat shap...