Best Of Tucson®

Best Outdoor Venue

Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater

Let's face it: Tucson doesn't get a lot of the biggest, best entertainment acts out there. But when they do, and the performers want something bigger than (Rialto) and better than (Tucson Convention Center) downtown's offerings, many end up at this classic open-air concert spot. With about 1,800 seats under cover from the occasional elements, and room for another 2,700 or so on a grassy berm, AVA is just the right size for many traveling acts. Take this past summer, when performers included Seal, Pitbull, Duran Duran, Def Leppard, comedian Gabriel Iglesias and a tour of washed-up '80s New Wave bands. It also hosted the start of the Beach Boys' latest reunion tour. All the TCC gave us was Bon Iver and maybe something on ice.

Runners up:

2. La Cocina

201 N. Court Ave.

622-0351

3. DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center

Reid Park

22nd Street and Country Club Road