CULTURAL STEW: It's once again that time of year when the scent of patchouli fills the air, shish kabobs roast over an open fire, and Jack Frost nips at a thousand toes peeking out from their Birkenstocks, not to mention a small army of plaid-clad, lily-white legs. Yep, it's time for the Fourth Avenue Street Fair, a holiday shopping extravaganza marked by scores of craft booths, chow vendors, live music and enough culture to make you reach for a social antibiotic. But the fair is a chance for Tucson to meet itself, from the mainstream to the sublime, share some camaraderie and hopefully a bit of pristine December weather. Fair runs until sundown Friday through Sunday, December 13 to 15, on Fourth Avenue between University Boulevard and Congress Street. Call 624-7997 for information. UPBEAT REAPERS: Check out the Tucson Chapter Gospel Music Workshop of America in concert. These ecclesiastical warblers ring in the season in a charitable way, with admission consisting of two canned food items earmarked for the Tucson Community Food Bank. Performance will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 14, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1949 E. Helen St. Call 792-4875 for information. TUBAC STROLL: The craft-laden burg south of Tucson offers holiday charm with Fiesta Navidad, hosted by the Tubac Center for the Arts. Luminarias will light the streets, with more than 75 top artisans from across the Southwest sporting wares from furniture and quilts to hand-crafted Christmas ornaments. Live performances include the Tubac Singers and puppeteer Gwen Ray, who performs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m Friday, December 13, on the Center's stage. The gathering runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14. Tubac is located 30 minutes south of Tucson on Interstate 10. Call 1-520-398-2371 for information. ART MEETS MEAT: What do cartoonist Max Cannon and photographer Steven Meckler have in common? New books! Yes, that's right, you'll find Red Meat: A Collection of RED MEAT Cartoons and Steven Meckler Photographs Tucson Artists, side by side. At first glance, the two might seem an unusual pairing--but from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, December 14, in the Hotel Congress lobby, 311 E. Congress St., a good time will be had by all with a holiday booksigning with free punch and cookies and live music by the groovy trio Calexico. Stuff that in your stocking. Call 690-6427 for information.

		© 1995-97 Tucson Weekly . Info Booth