Downtown Insider: Elva De La Torre

Elva De La Torre (she/ella/they) is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, a first-generation Chicana, and the first Latina Executive Director of KXCI 91.3 FM, Tucson's community radio station since 1983. KXCI exists in the ancestral homelands of the Tohono O'odham and Yoeme. 

She grew up in Los Angeles in the 1980s, where she listened to FM radio and drove to concerts across the Southland, and later studied Media Communications in Southern California. For more than 20 years, she worked in community education and training, including ten years with the Peace Corps in Latin America and Asia, first as a volunteer and later as Training Director. Throughout, she navigated the complexities of being Queer and BIPOC in spaces where colonialism and resistance coexist.

In 2011, while working in Tucson's nonprofit sector, she came back to radio as a KXCI volunteer. A ceramic artist and a birder, she lives on Tucson's Westside with her wife. Elva is committed to uplifting the diversity of voices of the Sonoran Borderlands.

Why did you choose to work in downtown Tucson, and what keeps you here?

I love working downtown. KXCI’s main studios are in a lovely historic home in Armory Park and I like being able to walk from there to our satellite studio inside the Hotel Congress lobby. I get to check out what’s going on downtown and stop in to have lunch at any one of the nearby spots. It’s also easy to meet partners for coffee at one of the many downtown cafes.

And Tucson is such a beautiful place; there have been people in this area for over thousands of years! You can see and feel the heritage of the indigenous cultures that have been here and that continue to inhabit this area.

What does downtown Tucson offer people that they may not find elsewhere in the city?

Downtown really has everything you need in just a few blocks; it’s a very walkable area with public art, food and drinks, entertainment, and plenty of cultural landmarks. There are always new and interesting things happening downtown. There’s a historic feel to the buildings and landmarks, mixed with modern architecture. And there are so many beautiful murals, with more popping up every day. Did I mention food? 

How would you describe downtown Tucson to someone visiting for the first time?

I'd describe it as authentic, welcoming, and full of history and plenty of character. You get a feel for the Borderlands that we reside in by spending some time downtown. You'll find beautiful historic architecture, incredible local food, vibrant murals, live entertainment, and people who genuinely care about their community. Walk around, talk to folks, step into businesses and you’ll quickly get a sense for what makes Tucson special.

And if you come downtown any evening, even during the summer, there’s a buzz. You’ll find restaurants, shops, and gathering places full of folks who want to experience the local culture. The food is special, the music and arts are top-notch, and there’s a sense of community here.

Was there a moment when you realized downtown Tucson was really changing or evolving? What was it?

When I noticed more folks coming down and spending entire evenings downtown. This, along with more businesses opening, helped activate the area. You can now see a more thriving downtown with lots of tourists and locals. When I’m on the air broadcasting from our Congress Street studio, I get lots of folks knocking on the window who are visiting Tucson and love seeing a radio station right on the street in a downtown area.

What other downtown businesses, restaurants, bars, shops, or organizations do you love supporting?

Many of my favorite spots are downtown. As a vegan, I’m always looking for new places to enjoy a meal, but I’ve loved lunch at Urban Fresh for quite some time. Whenever we eat at JoJo’s (best patio in the world!), we check out the Old Town Artisan shops and I usually get caught up in Old Paint Records. When we’re in the heart of downtown, I like checking out what’s new at Wooden Tooth Records. I regularly meet folks for coffee at Cartel on Broadway or Caffe Luce on Congress.

When you think about downtown Tucson five years from now, what do you hope to see?

I hope to see continued growth that stays true to Tucson's identity. I'd love to see more locally owned businesses, more affordable housing, more public events, more people walking and biking, and even stronger support for artists and entrepreneurs. Growth is exciting as long as we continue to preserve the history and character that make downtown special.

What does your ideal downtown Tucson day or night look like? Where are you going, eating, drinking, walking, or spending time?

It would start with a vegan dinner at  JoJo’s or The Cup Cafe. We have such a great music scene here, so dinner would be followed by music on the Congress Hotel Plaza stage or at The Rialto or checking out an Arizona Theatre Company production at the Temple of Music and Art.

What’s happening lately at KXCI and what can people do to support your goals?

KXCI always has plenty going on in addition to the music and programs you hear every day on 91.3 FM. Right now we’re gearing up for our On-Air Fundraising Campaign taking place from Saturday, Sept. 12th through Saturday, Sept. 19th support here. We continue to be a completely independent, community–powered radio station. That means that we rely on support from our community. You can learn more about events going on in Tucson, how to get involved with KXCI, and how to support your local, independent radio station at KXCI.ORG.