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Leaping Lizards!

Giant dinosaurs roar into TCC

Cara Rene


You’ve seen Jurassic Park. You’ve drowned in a sea of dinosaur marketing. You get it. Dinosaurs have been the rage for a long, long time.

But don’t turn away just yet. An event is coming to town that will show you just how outrageous this dino phenomenon can get.

Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular is likely as close as you will ever come to experiencing a real life dinosaur. Excepting a mad scientist with an ancient DNA sample and a fat bankroll, of course.

Ten species of life-sized dinosaurs are set to roam about the Tucson Arena Feb. 17-21. There are eight shows, including matinees and evening performances.

The animatronic creatures are born of the genius of those who created the popular BBC TV series Walking with Dinosaurs. But, the minds behind the arena show are quick to point out that nothing says being there like a live show. Read more

MOCA’s hot new home

Former fire HQ offers multiple galleries,
great city view and fun outdoor space

Monica Surfaro Spigelman

Sleep will come later for the artfully-exuberant Anne-Marie Russell – after she re-purposes a fire station into a fully-functioning contemporary art museum in less than two months.

As executive director of Tucson’s Museum of Contemporary Art, Russell and an engaged Museum Board are preparing to debut the new MOCA at 265 S. Church Avenue in both a February 6 sold-out fundraising gala and a public opening of the Museum on March 6.

“Contemporary art needs big spaces and this building is the perfect environment to feed the cultural vitality of our city,” says Russell about MOCA’s new South Church home.

After a decade of developing signature, edgy-meets-global installations and artist residencies in Downtown spaces, MOCA knew it required a larger, more permanent site. When the Tucson Fire Department decided to move to new headquarters, the William Wilde-designed, 1970s building came on the market. MOCA was the only respondent to the RFP (request for proposal). The Museum was awarded a five-year lease on the firehouse and took keys for the Neo-Brutalist-style glass and concrete building on December 1, 2009.

“We’re not trying to create a generic contemporary art institution, but rather one that is unique, just like Tucson is unique in the world,” notes MOCA Board President Randi Dorman. “The firehouse will allow MOCA to present the public with important, large-scale artwork in dynamic, world-class style.” Read more