Conceptual Poetry Symposium FAQS
1. How do I get to/from the Poetry Center?
The Poetry Center, located at 1508 E Helen St., is one block north of Speedway Blvd. and one block east of Cherry Ave. on the southeast corner of Helen St. and Vine Ave..
2. Where can I park at the Poetry Center? How much does parking cost?
The Highland Avenue Parking Garage is located on the northwest corner of Cherry and Vine, directly across from the Poetry Center. The maximum charge is $7 for over 5 hours of parking. Parking in Zone 1 lots around the Poetry Center is free after 5pm and on weekends. For more specific parking inquiries, call (520)626-PARK.
3. What is the Poetry Center?
The Poetry Center is a living archive founded in 1960. The library, an internationally renowned collection of contemporary poetry, includes books, anthologies, broadsides, journals, recordings, and other literary ephemera. The Center also focuses on community outreach through classes, workshops, children’s programs, exhibitions, and contests. Our mission is to promote poetic literacy and to sustain, enrich, and advance a diverse literary culture.
4. Is there a group discount rate?
If you are coming with an organized group of 5 or more from a single institution or organization, contact Frances Sjoberg at (520)626-1185 to discuss possible group discount rates.
5. What is the weather like in Tucson at the end of May?
The weather is hot and dry, with a high around 95 degrees F and a low around 65 degrees F.
6. What types of clothes should I bring?
Summer clothes are best with a light sweater for air-conditioned buildings. Bring comfortable walking shoes. Always carry a water bottle, use sunscreen, and bring a hat and sunglasses. If you are particularly sensitive to heat and sun, bring an umbrella.
7. Where can I eat?
There are several places to eat both on and off campus. Restaurants on Speedway Blvd, directly south of the Poetry Center, include Asian Sandwich Deli, Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea, and Local Dough. Located on Campbell Ave. are Miss Saigon, Bruegger’s Bagelry, Cold Stone Creamery, and plenty of fast food. The Student Union Memorial Center at 1303 E University Blvd, in the center of campus, contains many restaurants such as Burger King, On Deck Deli, Chik-Fil-A, Panda Express, IQ Fresh, and Papa John’s Pizza. On University Blvd, located just west of campus, are several restaurants such as The Fat Greek, Pita Pit, Pei Wei, La Salsa, Gentle Ben’s, No Anchovies, Café Paraiso, and Which Wich.
8. Where can I stay?
Four Points Sheraton is the closest hotel at 1900 E Speedway Blvd. This is a five minute walk from the Poetry Center. The Arizona Inn is an exceptional historic hotel at 2200 E Elm St., just 12 blocks (about 20 minutes) from the Poetry Center. A bit less posh but plenty hip is the Historic Hotel Congress, located at 311 E Congress St.; current construction makes that walk less pleasant, but it’s a 25-minute walk or a 5 minute drive to the Poetry Center. The Mariott at 880 E 2nd St is east of campus and about 15-minutes walking distance.
9. What types of things are there to do on campus?
The UA Museum of Art at Park and Speedway features both classic and contemporary art. During the Symposium, Goya’s Mastery in Prints: Los Caprichos will be exhibited. Open Tues-Fri, 9-5 and Sat-Sun, 12-4. The Center for Creative Photography at 1030 N Olive Rd will have an exhibit entitled New Topographies. Open Mon-Fri, 9-5 and Sat-Sun, 12-5. The Arizona State Museum at 1013 E University Blvd is the oldest and largest anthropology museum in Southern Arizona. Open Mon-Sat, 10-5 and Sun 12-5. The UA Phoenix Mars Landing will have just taken place and there will undoubtedly be exhibitions and activities pertaining to that across the UA campus. For up-to-date information on things to do, you can go to www.arizona.edu.
10. What types of things are there to do in the community?
Fourth Avenue is full of restaurants, bars, and shops. The Museum of Contemporary Art at 197 E Toole Ave offers exhibitions of painting, sculpture, art, film, and performance created since 1945. The Tucson Mall is located at 4500 N Oracle Rd. The Loft Cinema, a community-owned, independent art house shows foreign films, independent films, alternative films, and documentaries. Century 20 El Con is a theater at 3601 E Broadway Blvd. For short day-trips, Mission San Xavier del Bac at 1950 W San Xavier Rd is a gorgeous visit; as is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum at 2021 N Kinney Rd, which displays desert animals in their natural habitats. Hikers can find trails at Sabino Canyon and Mt. Lemon. Arizona houses Kitt Peak National Observatory, the largest observatory in the world. The Pima Air and Space Museum at 6000 E Valencia Rd displays the history of flight.
11. Are there other literary resources in Southern Arizona?
Singing Wind Bookshop is devoted to literature on the American Southwest. Call 520-586-2425 for information about this bookshop tucked away on a working cattle ranch in Benson, just 45 minutes southeast of Tucson. There are two great independent bookstores on 4th Avenue: The Book Shop is a used bookstore with a great selection of out-of-print books at 214 N. 4th Avenue and Antigone Books is a feminist bookstore serving all genders at 411 N. 4th Ave. Also on 4th is Casa Libre en la Solana, a non-profit community resource center and inn for writers. Casa Libre is located at 228 N 4th Ave #2.
12. Are there discounts for southern Arizona K-12 educators and/or journalists?
Yes, there are! Please contact Frances Sjoberg at (520)626-1185 for more information.
