Catalyst Events

RENT CATALYST FOR YOUR NEXT CREATIVE GATHERING

CATALYST combines over 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting, event, classroom, and production space. SAACA conceived CATALYST after identifying a need for a dedicated community space that could uplift, connect and build stronger collaborations within our creative sector.

Work with other creatives, non-profits, and community leaders in an inspiring and collaborative environment to seed new work, projects, and creativity together. As a true community space, CATALYST is designed for collaboration and co-working.

Based in the Tucson Mall, CATALYST offers plenty of parking, hybrid meeting options, ADA accessibility, comfortable air conditioning, and a fun and colorful environment. For rental inquiries, please email [email protected], fundraisers, graduations, special events, art-themed parties, team buildings events, workshops, receptions Film and music production studio, performing arts rehearsals, podcasting, film screenings, recitals, live concerts Art, dance, cooking classes, public and private workshops, hybrid meetings, co-working, and more!

ART MIXER

PAINTING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL AGES
Drop-in Hours*
Wednesdays | 12:30pm – 4pm Thursdays | 12:30pm – 7pm
Fridays & Saturdays | 12:30pm – 8pm
Sundays | 2:00pm – 6pm

*Appointments are HIGHLY recommended to ensure your paint day/time. Painting availability not guaranteed for walk ins. A unique Tucson paint and sip experience! Public and private paint events and classes. Attendees can choose step-by-step painting projects on canvas, wood board, wood cutouts, wine glasses, wine bottles and paint-and-take ceramics!
Learn more and make reservations at: https://artmixer.net/
Contact: (520)490-9400, [email protected]

RESERVATIONSPHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER NETWORKING MIXER
Thursday, July 27
5pm – 7:30pm

Calling all Tucson photographers and videographers! The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance recently re-branded our space in the Tucson Mall as CATALYST Creative Collective and we would love for you to come by, see the space and meet some fellow photographers. The 14,000 sq ft collective features numerous rooms that serve as a great resource for our thriving community of photographers. CATALYST is a prime location for photo shoots, food, product, and fashion photography, film screenings, teaching digital photography classes, pop-up galleries, and more! FREE Drinks and Charcuterie provided by Humble Board. RSVP ON FACEBOOKSONG & SUGAR SWEETS’

BUTTERCREAM PIPING CLASS
Saturday, July 29
5pm – 7pm

Indulge in the sweetest experience with Song & Sugar Sweets’ Buttercream Piping Class. Get ready to elevate your baking skills with this special class that focuses on piping scrumptious buttercream on cakes. During this class, you will start with the basics of filling a piping bag then move onto learning several piping techniques. Then show off to your friends and family by taking home your own 5 inch, 2 layer cake decorated with the piping skills you learned. Suitable for beginners and experienced bakers alike, the class is conducted by Sierra of Song & Sugar Sweets. Make sure to grab your ticket now before they sell out!

DESERT ARTISAN MARKET
Saturday, August 19
​12:00pm – 4:00pm

Please join us for the inaugural Desert Artisans Market at CATALYST Creative Collective! The one-day event will feature local Tucson Artisans selling their jewelry, art, goodies, candles and more. Support local and come shop at the Desert Artisan Market!

MORE INFOBEN’S BELLS: KIND CAMPUS KICKOFFSaturday, August 26
​9:00am – 11:30am
FREE

Join Ben’s Bells for The Importance of Modeling Kindness, where we’ll kick-off Kind Campus activities for the 2023-2024 school year and talk about strategies for building an enthusiastic and engaged kind campus!

• Learn new ways to infuse kindness in your school
• Get the inside scoop on current kindness research
• Hear from students who led kind initiatives
• Hear from fellow Kind Campus educators
• Meet Ben’s Bells education team, including Founder, Jeannette Maré

REGISTERTUCSON YOUTH MUSIC
FALL MUSIC PROGRAM
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Beginning September 5!
​2:30pm – 6:30pm

CATALYST is partnering with Tucson Youth Music to bring free weekly music lessons for underserved families in the community! Tucson Youth Music (TYM) provides comprehensive weekly free music lessons to teach students how to play a musical instrument as well as, proper technique, repertoire, sight-reading, music theory, ear training, performance, and music appreciation. All necessary materials are provided to qualifying school-age children, ages 6 – 18.

Support, volunteer, or see if your child qualifies for lessons by visiting the Tucson Youth Music website. Contact: (520) 975-3787, [email protected]

REGISTERPLANT BASED POTENTIAL COOKING CLASS
Why buy beef? When you can make your own at home Saturday, September 23
11:30am – 2pm

In this interactive cooking class we will be making taco meat substitutes and then serving it up with a nacho platter or tacos. Make your reservations today! All tools and ingredients will be provided. $35.

ESPERANZA DANCE PROJECTMondays & Thursday rehearsals
6PM – 8:30PM
*CALL FOR DANCERS* Esperanza Dance Project is currently looking for dancers in the Tucson area for our 2023-2024 season! Please share this with those who would like to create positive change and hope for healing from childhood sexual trauma within our community.

ONE NIGHTSTAND:
FURNITURE ART EXHIBITION
Sunday, October 8
12PM – 4PM

*CALL TO ARTISTS*

SAACA’S CATALYST Creative Collective in the Tucson Mall will be hosting a collection of local furniture artists on Sunday, October 8 from 12 to 4pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase a one-of-a-kind hand-painted furniture piece presented by the artist.

The showcase is open to any furniture artist that falls into the upcycle, refinishing, and restoring mediums. Artists may bring up to four hand-painted nightstands or end tables for the event. All pieces must be for sale. If you are an artist interested in selling your work at the exhibition – apply HERE and join us at Catalyst in the Tucson Mall on Sunday, October 8!

COMEDY FOR CHARITY FUNDRAISER SHOW!
Saturday, October 21
7PM – 9PM

Join us for a night of fun and laughter while supporting local nonprofits Esperanza Dance Project and Ben’s Bells! This amazing fundraiser is produced and presented by Comedy for Charity.

Comedy for Charity is a non-profit organization created by comedian Suzie Sexton to reduce violence and to raise money for victims of violence. The lineup includes Butch Lord, Jan Brenner, Suzie Sexton, Gene Moore, and headliner Monique Marvez. Plus an original dance performance by Esperanza Dance Project.

JULY ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
FRANK POWERS
FRANK POWERS & THE COMIC BOOKMOBILE!
SUNDAY FUNDAY
12pm – 3pm Every Sunday in July!

Frank Powers is a silly man who is obsessed with helping families in the Tucson community. He is more animated than the cartoons he creates and Frank’s mission is to teach kids to utilize their creativity and embrace their individuality. Powers restored a 1969 VW Bus and created The Comic Bookmobile to travel to schools and events all over Tucson spreading his belief that pure honesty, hard work, and a Positive Mental Attitude lead to a better state of mental health in kids and kids of all ages (Adults!). When he isn’t wearing a cape, Powers is a wild-mannered reporter for KOLD NEWS 13’s Tucson Now segments. This, in addition to being the radio host of Lifestyle Tucson- the program where he speaks to the people behind Tucson’s 501c3 non profit organizations. Powers closes every Lifestyle Tucson episode by saying “Toot Toot Tucson, I love you the most.” and ya know, when ya add all this up, it just might be true. #TootTootTucson TheComicBookmobile.com

CATALYST CREATIVE PARTNER FEATURE
Beth Braun – Founder & Artistic Director

ESPERANZA DANCE PROJECTThe Esperanza Dance Project is a community-based collaboration that uses a multimedia dance performance to educate about the issue of childhood sexual trauma and deliver a message of hope, strength and empowerment. Company members perform in high schools, at community events, and across Arizona and rehearse every Monday and Thursday night in CATALYST! Founder and Artistic Director Beth Braun was just selected as the OnMedia Arts Hero for the 2023-24 performing arts season – Congratulation Beth! Shoutout Arizona recently interviewed Beth about her amazing work with EDP, read the full article HERE.

You can support Esperanza Dance Project by donating, volunteering, or setting up a performance. Learn more at: https://www.esperanzadanceproject.org

VOLUNTEER AT CATALYST

SAACA is working to coordinate volunteer docents to assist in educational and community-oriented events at our CATALYST space. One current partner is Tucson Youth Music (TYM), a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to music education for Tucson’s underserved youth that provides free music classes at CATALYST three days a week. TYM is in need of volunteers to help check students in and out of class at CATALYST in the Tucson Mall. Docents will also help monitor family waiting areas and classrooms and assist with registration and equipment lending.

Fall Schedule (Starting in September)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
2:30pm – 6:30pm
SUPPORT THE CULINARY ARTS AT SAACA’S SALSA, TEQUILA TACO CHALLENGE​Cocktail craft and culinary creativity are taken to a new level at SAACA’s 10th Annual Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance’s Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge. Tequila infused popsicles, sno-cones, and mixed drinks will surprise attendees with refreshing colors, while kimchi, blueberry-jalapeno and “Smokeless Fire” salsas will spice up their palettes.

​Many chefs and mixologists came to the table to win culinary supremacy, but they are also there to support important charitable causes in the community. This creative collaboration combines resources to help raise monies for SAACA community arts outreach programs and local programming outreach by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

USE CODE “EARLYBIRD” AT CHECKOUT FOR 10% OFF YOUR ORDER!

AUGUST 26, 2023
EL CONQUISTADOR TUCSON, A HILTON RESORT
10000 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704
5 PM – 8:30 PM

CATALYST RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

Keep Tucson Sketchy brought their hilarious sketch comedy show to CATALYST this month. Many of the sketches were filmed right here in the Tucson Mall! Thanks to Artist-in-Residence Frank Powers for organizing this very fun event! Humble Board has been hard at work in the kitchen prepping charcuterie boards and grazing tables for hungry customers all across Tucson. Follow Emili on Instagram for a look at her amazing arrangements and order from Humble Board for your next special event or celebration. SAACA’s own Matt Rolland and Kevin Larkin were the featured presenters at the Tucson Youth Music summer music program last week. The topic was music history and technology and class wrote an electronic music song about the the monsoon, using only their voices and body percussion!

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