Kendal Blust/KJZZ

For years, artists have been painting murals and hosting events on Hermosillo's Calle Sufragio Efectivo, or what's being called 'Art Street,' in an effort to create a city arts district.

After closing for more than a year because of the pandemic, a street in the Sonoran capital Hermosillo known as the “Art Street” is opening back up with a series of weekend performances starting this Saturday.

For 10 years now, artists have been working to rehabilitate part of Hermosillo’s historic center they’re calling La Calle del Arte, or Art Street, with public murals, music festivals, theaters and coffee shops.

All of that ground to a halt during the pandemic.

But an effort to revive the local arts scene with 10 weekends of music, theater and art starts this Saturday.

"It's a cultural circuit," said Hilda Valencia, director of the theater company AndamioSteatro.

She added that organizers hope the weekly shows will permanent fixture of downtown Hermosillo that not only provides entertainment for the community and employment for artists and businesses, but can become something the city is known for that can drive tourism.

So far, performances and an open-air market are scheduled every Saturday in April and May. It's being put together by La Matraka, AndamioSteatro, El Mentidero, Otros Mundos Café y Casa Madrid, along with the city’s art and culture institute to offer 40 different cultural activities with more than 60 artists.

Organizers say everything will be free, outdoors and in adherence with coronavirus safety protocols.