Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – Summer 2025
See the Sonoran Desert come alive after dark during Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Happening every Saturday from June 7 through August 30, this evening series invites guests to explore the museum until 10 PM with fun, family-friendly programming centered around the desert's nocturnal wonders.
Each Saturday features a unique theme, like Bat Night, World Oceans Night, and Radical Reptiles—plus special presentations, animal encounters, stargazing, art, and interactive exhibits. The Packrat Playhouse offers indoor fun for younger guests, while the Stingray Touch exhibit and galleries like Kindred Spirits add extra depth to the experience.
Food and drinks are available at Ironwood Terraces and Ocotillo Café, so come hungry. Bring a flashlight and enjoy the cooler nighttime air while you discover what desert creatures do after the sun goes down.
Event Details:
• Dates: Saturdays, June 7 – August 30, 2025
• Time: Museum open until 10:00 PM
• Location: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd
• Admission: Included with regular entry
More Tucson Events HERE
El Con Health & Wellness isn’t just a place for cosmetic procedures, it’s a trusted destination for personalized care, real answers, and expert guidance. Their licensed team takes the time to understand your unique needs, whether you're exploring a treatment or just looking to get your health questions answered.
Wondering if a treatment is right for you? Curious about new cosmetic options? Want a second opinion on something you’ve been wondering about?
Submit your question using the form below, and the experts at El Con Health & Wellness will provide answers you can trust. We may even read your question and the doctor’s response on the air during our upcoming health and wellness segments.
No question is too small. Whether it’s skincare, hormones, wellness, or beauty, we’re here to help connect you with answers.
To contact El Con Health directly:
📞 Call 520-318-5515
🌐 Visit elconhealth.com
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at The Drive Tucson and El Con Health & Wellness.
We had the incredible honor of connecting with Beach Boys legend Mike Love, a true American icon whose music helped define a generation. From his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction to decades of sold-out shows, Mike’s legacy is as enduring as the California sun. A fun fact: he’s a cousin of Brian Wilson and co-wrote some of the band’s biggest hits. This special moment was made even better by Tucson’s own beloved icon, Ken Carr, who brought his signature charm to the KENversation.
Click the play button below!
Want to buy tickets to the show at Casino Del Sol? Click THE BUTTON
The Drive Tucson is an anthem for distant memories, where every song brings it all rushing back. From family dinners timed to the evening news, to TV carts in classrooms and “The Price Is Right” on summer mornings. We don’t just play Timeless Variety; we rewind the soundtrack of your life and play the parts that still feel like home.
At The Drive Tucson, everything you hear is shaped by a tight-knit, collaborative team that brings heart, humor, and Tucson pride to the airwaves every day.
Matt Gentry (M-F 6a-10a)
Director of Programming & Morning Host
Matt oversees and is responsible for everything that goes on the air, from managing the team and shaping the station’s content to curating music and crafting on-air promotions. He leads with intention and trust, always creating space for collaboration. During the week on-air, he starts the day alongside his wife Randi (on Tues & Thur) with the kind of chemistry you can hear and a playlist that'll hit you right in the feels!
Leslie Lois (Saturdays 12p-6p)
Programming Team & On-Air Talent
Leslie does it all. In addition to her Saturday shift and regular fill-ins and helping Matt with any number of things, she plays vital roles in shaping our content and bridging the gap between sales and programming. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes magic that keeps the station running, and few can do it like she can. We call her our station unicorn because she juggles multiple roles, excels at them all, and still manages to sparkle! She's a rare find! On the air, her warmth, wit, and relatability have made her one of The Drive Tucson's most beloved voices.
Ken Carr (M-F 10a-3p)
Production Director & Midday Host
With decades of Tucson radio experience, Ken brings steady insight and deep local knowledge. He manages commercial production and voice talent, an often-unsung piece of the station’s sound and polish. As a midday host, he keeps things local, fun, and full of heart. On the air, Ken’s deep knowledge of music and his unmatched enthusiasm turn every day into a celebration, especially if it’s one of his made-up holidays, which just happens to be… every day!
Mikey Esparza (M-F 3p-7p)
Afternoon Host
A founding voice of The Drive Tucson, Mikey has become a core part of its personality. His celebrity impressions, humor, and quick wit add color to the station’s sound, while his presence on the air brings attitude, energy, and authenticity.
Maria Mendez (M-F 7p-11p)
Overnight Host
Maria brings warmth, style, and deep Tucson roots to the late-night hours. Her connection with the community and loyal Nightriders gives The Drive Tucson a sense of heart that carries into every corner of the day.
Patty Ruiz
General Manager & Vice President
Patty’s steady leadership and trust in her team have shaped an environment where creativity and collaboration can thrive. Her support has helped The Drive Tucson become something truly rare in radio: a station that runs on heart, not ego.
From giving away classic cars to handing out oven mitts (because why not?), we’ve always looked for real, fun ways to connect with Tucson. But it’s never just been about prizes, it’s about showing up, supporting local causes, and being part of the community.
That connection has grown into something special. Thanks to you, The Drive Tucson is now the fastest-growing radio station in town. Behind it all is a team of seasoned pros who bring more than talent, they bring heart, hometown pride, and stories that feel like your own.
At The Drive Tucson, every song is placed with purpose. We don’t just play Timeless Variety, we create a mood, a memory, a moment that sticks with you. Great radio takes heart. And you can feel it.
Request a song, share a memory, or just say hello. We’re always a call or text away. At The Drive Tucson, you’re not just a listener, you’re part of our radio family. 520.815.1017
The Drive Tucson – 830 AM / 101.7 FM
The Radio Station the Other Radio Stations Listen To.
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In February 2021 Jeremiah “Jody”, our seven-year-old grandson, was assigned to complete a report during Black History month on an African American Hero. He went online and then asked, “Nanu (that’s what our grandchildren call me) don’t you help people with a museum in Michigan?” I said, “Yes, I do.” Then he went on to say, “So, where is the museum I can go to here in Tucson to learn about African American people who lived around here?”
I told him I would look into it and found what I already knew would probably be the case. The history of African American people, particularly around the country, is more like collections of artifacts, hearsay, documents, and things in trunks, garages, basements, and attics. Jody wanted me to know that we should have an official museum in Tucson, and I agreed! So, on April 15, 2021, I began my research.
- Beverly Elliott
The vision of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSA) is "To serve as a resource and to provide the community with an applied and virtual venue and repository for stories, histories, and cultural contributions by African Americans and Blacks in Southern Arizona". Museums allow the community to improve its knowledge of the triumphs and progress of the African American and Black experience in spite of the struggles. AAMSAZ plans to engage voices from the past and the present including the youth. AAMSAZ will enable the community to join together and respect the past, honor the present, and pay reverence to the future while engaging and sustaining social action.
Everyone can learn more about African American and Black history and culture of Southern Arizona.
AAMSAZ is located in the student union room 244 on the campus of the University of Arizona. They are devoted to gathering and sharing stories, images and artifacts as they document, digitize and preserve African American and black life, culture and history in southern Arizona.
If you would like to learn more about AAMSAZ for donations or to be involved as a volunteer, simply click HERE for further information.
Here at The Drive Tucson, we are always thinking about road trips. Especially road trips you can take while the family is in town for the holidays. The Tucson-area has some really special places to take your relatives. Even if you have been to any one of these places before, they are still a wonderful place to build memories. We thought we would assemble a list of some of our favorite places to hit the road and enjoy a drive. Happy driving!
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a is a 98-acre fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery & classes, natural history museum, and aquarium and art gallery, founded in 1952. Located just west of Tucson, it features two miles of walking paths traversing 21 acres of desert landscape. A local favorite for generations.
Reid Park Zoo has been a destnation point for Tucsonans for decades. The zoo features more than 500 animals. It was unofficially established in 1965 by Gene Reid, the Tucson Parks & Recreation Director at the time.
Mount Lemmon was named for botanist Sara Plummer Lemmon, who trekked to the top of the mountain. Mount Lemmon is always a pleasant and beautiful road trip. Just make sure if you stop by The Cookie Cabin that you bring some back for us!
Sabino Canyon is a significant canyon located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest. It's a popular recreation area for many of our local residents as well as visitors of Southern Arizona, providing a place to walk, hike or ride.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens is transcendently impressive and a tranquil oasis in the heart of Tucson. TBG strives to be recognized and respected as the best small public garden in America. This is one of Tucson's gems. For us, the Tucson Botanical Gardens never gets old. They're mission is to connect people with plants and nature through art, science, history and culture.
Biosphere 2 advances our understanding of natural and human-made ecosystems through integrated research to increase the resilience and sustainability of Earth systems and human quality of life. They advance research in unique facilities, conduct interdisciplinary science education, and foster leadership initiatives focused on developing scalable solutions for our planet and beyond. This place is CRAZY COOL.
The Pima Air & Space Museum features about 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976. Over the past forty years, the museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII).
At the Titan Missile Museum, visitors journey through time to stand on the front line of the Cold War. This preserved Titan II missile site, officially known as complex 571-7, is all that remains of the 54 Titan II missile sites that were on alert across the United States from 1963 to 1987. This one-of-a kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. What was once one of America’s most top-secret places is now a National Historic Landmark.
The Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is a science museum and planetarium in Tucson, Arizona. It is part of the University of Arizona. It is named after American author Grace Flandrau. The Eos Planetarium Theater has a 15.2 meter dome and seats 146 people. The science center includes fossil and mineral exhibits
The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun celebrates both the life of Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia and his art. Established in 1950 by DeGrazia, the Gallery in the Sun is a Tucson tradition that is a favorite among visitors and local Tucsonans alike. DeGrazia and his work are characterized by their rebellious approach and passionate depiction of Southwestern life.
The Children's Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona stands at the forefront in responding to reports of child abuse, serious maltreatment, and situations where children have witnessed violence or other crimes in southern Arizona.
Help us reach our giving goal of $10,000. We are almost there! If you would like to donate an amount now, just click Donate Now to be taken directly to the Children's Advocacy Center's website.
Your information will remain secure and confidential. We have also collaborated with the Children's Advocacy Center to spread joy by collecting new, unwrapped toys for Tucson-area children. If you'd like to contribute, see the list of drop-off locations below throughout the Tucson area. For additional community events, click HERE.
Toy Box Drop-off Locations:
To go back to events page, click HERE.
The YWCA Southern Arizona Women’s Business Center is all about helping local businesses thrive.
In our Women’s Business Center, we work hard to assist lots of small businesses in our community each year. We offer specialized programs like IncubateHer and Build Academy that provide valuable help to current business owners and folks who dream of starting their own businesses. These programs cover important aspects of business, like creating a strong business plan, finding the right customers, improving branding and marketing, managing money wisely, and getting the funding you need through loans and grants from us and our partners.
Every year, we meet many exciting new local businesses. When they do well, we want everyone in our community to know about them. So, we're thrilled to introduce you to five fantastic Tucson businesses that have benefited from the support we offer. These businesses show what can happen when people with passion and determination get a helping hand from their community.
To learn more on how the YWCA Southern Arizona Women’s Business Center in Tucson can help you, just click The Button
