Family Traditions Story Call
Family traditions are at the heart of our Tucsonense barrio heritage.
That special dish made only on certain occasions. The uncles who played music at family parties. All-night vigils. Finding the Baby Jesus in the cake. Decorating cars for weddings.
These are just a few examples of the countless traditions—big and small—that make up the folkways of a community and help tell the story of who we are.
In the spirit of community collaboration, we invite Tucson families to share a short video story about a family or neighborhood tradition. It can be something your family still practices today or something that has faded away. We especially want to preserve traditions and memories that go back generations.
These videos will then be featured at the Sosa Carrillo House as an art installation during Barrio Stories.
Help us preserve the traditions, memories, and everyday practices that make Tucson’s barrios unique.
Deadline to submit your video: October 17, 2026
How to participate:
- Think of a tradition and a storyteller. Is there a family elder who remembers an old family or neighborhood tradition? Maybe it’s your parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, neighbor—or maybe you are the elder!
- Record your story. Use your phone to make a vertical video of 3 minutes or less. Make sure that there is plenty of light, not much background noise, and that the subject head and shoulders are taking up most of the shot. Please state your name at the beginning of your video.
- Click on the button below and fill out the form.
- Click the blue highlighted “link” at the end of the form. This will take you to a page where you can upload your video!
- Upload your video on the page that popped up, then be sure to back to the original google form, and press submit!
- Come to Barrio Stories 10 Year Anniversary Festival and see your video as part of the Family Traditions video art installation at the Sosa Carrillo House.
Some helpful tips:
How to Record a Great Video:
- Once you have your oral history subject (the storyteller) pick a spot inside (less noise that way) where they can sit. The living room, the kitchen, it should be a place with plenty of light.
- Using your phone stand about 3 to 4 feet away so you get good audio.
- Compose the shot so the subject’s head takes up most of the frame and we can see their expressions clearly.
- Use your phone camera in portrait orientation (tall, not long) and video record your relative telling the story of how the family tradition was carried out.
Confused on what to ask? Here’s some questions to help you out!
- Who participated in this tradition?
- When did/does it take place?
- Was there someone in charge or that orchestrated the event?
- Were different people in charge of or assigned different parts of the tradition?
- Describe step by step the event or tradition from start to finish
- Was there any preparation ahead of time?
- What did people wear for the tradition?
- How was it passed on, how did people learn to carry it out?
- Are there any interesting or funny stories around this tradition? “Remember the time your dad forgot to… ”
