Life Along The Streetcar

Tom Heath

5.0 (1)
Society & Culture
Updated Biweekly

Exploring the social, cultural, and economic forces shaping life in Tucson’s urban core. On the air since October 2017 with over 350 episodes and counting. Catch us Sundays on Downtown Radio 99.1 FM, stream on your favorite podcast platform, or watch full episodes on our website. LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org

Sep 28

A Gorgeous Excitement - Tucson Art with Chris Leighton and Paul Gold

Artists help bring downtowns to life. How do we make sure they can afford to stay? WAMO Executive Director Chris Leighton and curator Paul Gold join Tom Heath to explore the spaces, people, and partnerships supporting Tucson’s arts community—and preview A Gorgeous Excitement 2026 at Steinfeld Gallery. Chris shares the thinking behind the Warehouse Arts Management Organization’s mission to keep art space affordable downtown, the historic buildings it serves, and the challenges of protecting room for creativity as the city changes. Paul explains how his work as an art advocate and collector led to curating an exhibition featuring 23 artists and 58 pieces. We talk about what goes into bringing those works together, why seeing art in person matters, and how exhibition sales help support both artists and WAMO’s work. There’s also a suspended dragon involved. A Gorgeous Excitement 2026 October 3–November 14, 2026 Opening reception: Saturday, October 3, 4–8 PM Steinfeld Gallery, 101 W. 6th St., Tucson Admission is free. Learn more about WAMO and upcoming exhibitions: WAMOTucson.org Connect with Paul Gold, including inquiries about private exhibition tours: PaulGoldBooks.com Life Along the Streetcar explores the social, cultural, and economic forces shaping Tucson’s urban core, from Sentinel Peak to the University of Arizona. Listen Sundays at 11 AM on Downtown Radio Tucson, 99.1 FM, or stream at DowntownRadio.org. Find more conversations, audio, and video at LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org.
Sep 14

LASC 397 — Downtown Tucson Restaurant Pioneers Kathy and Fiore Iannacone

When businesses were leaving downtown Tucson, Kathy and Fiore Iannacone were moving in. Beginning in the early 1980s, the couple brought their New York roots, Italian cooking, and entrepreneurial spirit to a downtown still searching for its next chapter. In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, they join Tom Heath to share the stories behind restaurants including Old Pueblo Eatery, Cafe Renaissance, Enoteca, and Urban Fresh—and why they kept believing in downtown even when their ideas arrived ahead of the crowds. Fiore recalls the bicycle ride and smell of pizza that unexpectedly launched his restaurant career. Kathy shares her commitment to homemade food and the personal journey that led her to create Urban Fresh as a place for plant-based meals and nutrition education. Their impact extended beyond the kitchen. We explore their efforts to bring downtown businesses together, make sidewalk advertising more workable, and create spaces where food, music, art, and community could meet. It’s a conversation about taking chances, building connections, and helping shape the downtown Tucson we know today. Life Along the Streetcar explores the social, cultural, and economic forces shaping Tucson’s urban core—from Sentinel Peak (“A” Mountain) to the University of Arizona and all stops in between. Listen Sundays at 11:00 AM on Downtown Radio Tucson, 99.1 FM, or stream at https://DowntownRadio.org. Find more conversations, including audio and video episodes, at https://LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org.
Aug 31

DJ Jahmar | The Reggae Connection, Papa Ranger & Tucson’s Reggae Legacy

DJ Jahmar grew up surrounded by reggae music, but his family’s connection to Tucson’s music scene goes much deeper than the records he plays today. In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, Jahmar shares the story of his father, Dennis Francis — better known as Papa Ranger — who helped establish a reggae community in Tucson through radio, live performances, concerts, and the 12 Tribes reggae shop. Jahmar talks about growing up inside that world, stepping behind the turntables as a teenager, and eventually finding his own voice as a DJ. The conversation also explores the connections between reggae and hip-hop, Tucson’s long relationship with reggae music, and why Jahmar decided to revive The Reggae Connection, the radio show he once shared with his father. Today, The Reggae Connection is back on the air on Downtown Radio Tucson, giving Jahmar a chance to introduce listeners to both the music he grew up with and the culture behind it. Life Along the Streetcar explores the people, places, and stories shaping Tucson’s urban core — from Sentinel Peak to the University of Arizona. Hear the show Sundays on Downtown Radio Tucson, 99.1 FM, and find audio and video episodes at LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org.
Aug 24

Aivila | Finding Her Voice in Tucson Through Soul, Songwriting and Reflection

Singer-songwriter Aivila is one of the newer voices finding a place in Tucson’s music community. Originally from Houston, Aivila talks with Tom Heath about moving to Tucson, connecting with the local music scene, and building a sound that draws from pop, R&B and soul. She shares the story behind her debut album, Reflection, which traces the emotional arc of a relationship from connection through healing, and explains why writing from personal experience is so important to her. The conversation also explores her recent single, “Gone,” a deeply personal song connected to experiences from her teenage years and her own journey of recovery. Aivila also talks about using her voice as an instrument through layered harmonies, the influence of artists including Amy Winehouse and Ariana Grande, her love of vinyl, and her hope to begin performing and collaborating more within Tucson. Learn more about Aivila and her music at AivilaRecords.com and follow @aivilarecords. Life Along the Streetcar explores the people, places and stories shaping Tucson’s urban core — from Sentinel Peak to the University of Arizona. More episodes at LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org.
Aug 17

Logan Greene | Groundworks Tucson, Youth-Driven Music & Building a Creative Community

Groundworks Tucson is giving young musicians and artists more than a place to perform — it is giving them a chance to help shape the creative community around them. In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath talks with Logan Greene, one of the founders and current director of Groundworks Tucson. Logan shares how his own roots in Tucson’s music scene, along with his experience as a musician and educator, helped inspire an organization focused on youth-driven music and arts. The conversation explores Groundworks’ grassroots beginnings, its DIY response to launching during the pandemic, and the community space it has built at Grant Road and Country Club. Logan also explains how young people get hands-on experience with concerts, recording, sound engineering, art, event production and leadership — often by taking real responsibility for the programs and spaces themselves. The episode also looks at Groundworks’ commitment to keeping its programs accessible regardless of someone’s ability to pay, the realities of sustaining a grassroots nonprofit, and Camp Groundworks — the organization’s youth-run music and arts fundraiser that helps support its work for the year ahead. While Groundworks sits just beyond the streetcar route, the musicians, artists and young people it serves are part of the broader creative culture shaping Tucson and its urban core. Learn more about Groundworks Tucson at GroundworksTucson.com. Find this episode and other audio and video conversations at LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org. Life Along the Streetcar airs Sundays on Downtown Radio Tucson, 99.1 FM, exploring the people, places and ideas shaping Tucson’s urban core from Sentinel Peak to the University of Arizona.
Aug 10

Hilary Van Alsburg | 40 Years of Learning Through Play at Children’s Museum Tucson

For 40 years, Children’s Museum Tucson has been creating a place where kids can explore, experiment, imagine and learn through play. In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath sits down with executive director Hilary Van Alsburg to look at the museum’s history, its role in downtown Tucson and how the organization continues to grow while remaining rooted in the urban core. Hilary shares the story of the grassroots effort that launched the museum in 1986, why play is such an important part of early childhood development, and how children naturally take the lead when they are given the freedom to touch, climb, create and explore. The conversation also covers the museum’s expansion into Oro Valley and Tohono Chul, the purchase and renovation of a second downtown building, new education and community spaces, partnerships throughout Tucson, and the team behind the museum’s work. Life Along the Streetcar explores the people, places and ideas shaping Tucson’s urban core from Sentinel Peak to the University of Arizona. Listen to more episodes and find our audio and video conversations at LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org. Life Along the Streetcar airs on Downtown Radio Tucson, 99.1 FM.
Aug 3

Mister Bing Old Hollywood Glamour, Creative Purpose and Downtown Tucson Entertainment

Mr. Bing is creating entertainment experiences designed to make people feel as though they have stepped out of the 21st century and into another era. In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath sits down with the Tucson producer and creative visionary behind Mr. Bing’s After Dark, an old-Hollywood lounge experience at the Leo Kent Hotel featuring live music, tableside magic and vintage glamour. Bing also shares plans for the Skylark Club at the Treasury, an ambitious supper-club experience combining elevated dining, dancing and nationally recognized performers inside one of downtown Tucson’s most distinctive historic spaces. The conversation traces his creative journey from childhood productions on 80 acres outside Palm Springs to a life-changing realization at age 50. That moment led Brian Ewing to embrace the name Mr. Bing and fully commit to the work he believes is his purpose. Learn more about upcoming experiences and performances at MisterBingsPresents.com. Life Along the Streetcar shares the people, places and ideas shaping Tucson’s urban core—from Sentinel Peak to the University of Arizona. Listen and watch at LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org.
Jul 27

Chandler Warden | The Bert W. Martin Foundation and a Legacy of Giving Back

Chandler Warden’s connection to Tucson began during childhood summers at Tanque Verde Ranch and eventually grew into a lifelong commitment to the Old Pueblo. In this episode of Life Along the Streetcar, Tom Heath sits down with Chandler to explore the story of his grandfather, Bert W. Martin, and the family foundation that continues his legacy of philanthropy. Chandler shares how Bert Martin rose from a difficult childhood to become an inventor and businessman, building success through printing, packaging, and the Diamond Match Company. He also explains how Bert’s early experiences shaped a belief that success comes with a responsibility to give back. The conversation follows that legacy into Tucson, where the Bert W. Martin Foundation has supported institutions and traditions including the Fox Tucson Theatre, the Tucson Rodeo Parade, children’s healthcare, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and other organizations that help define the community. It is a conversation about innovation, preservation, family stewardship, and investing in the people and places that make Tucson special. Life Along the Streetcar explores the social, cultural, and economic forces shaping Tucson’s urban core—from Sentinel Peak to the University of Arizona and all stops in between. Learn more at LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org.

Exploring the social, cultural, and economic forces shaping life in Tucson’s urban core. On the air since October 2017 with over 350 episodes and counting. Catch us Sundays on Downtown Radio 99.1 FM, stream on your favorite podcast platform, or watch full episodes on our website. LifeAlongTheStreetcar.org

Creator

Tom Heath
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

296
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© All rights reserved
Show Website

Life Along The Streetcar