Catalyst Upcoming Events

COMEDY FOR CHARITY
STAND UP TO VIOLENCE FUNDRAISER
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.

Special SAACA community discount – 20% off all tickets with code HOPE
ANA RINCON | ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE CLOSING RECEPTION
Saturday, September 30, 3pm – 5pm
September Artist-in-Residence Ana Rincon is an accomplished visual artist from Mexico City whose globetrotting from Austin, to Paris to San Francisco ultimately saw her land in Southern Arizona. Her expressive art tells stories through vibrant colors and her work is currently on exhibit at the CATALYST gallery. Join us for the closing reception on Saturday, September 30 from 3pm to 5pm. Ana will be showing her work and sharing stories about what inspires her. Complimentary drinks will be provided. Visit https://www.rinconart.com

UPCOMING CLASSES | LESSONS | EVENTS

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, artmixertucson@gmail.com

TUCSON YOUTH MUSIC
FALL MUSIC PROGRAM
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, ​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, info@tucsonyouthmusic.org

TUCSON ABLETON LIVE USER GROUP MEET-UP
October 19, 5PM – 7PM
The Tucson Ableton Live User Group is meeting in person and connecting over electronic music! All musicians/producers are welcome. Join the DISCORD for news, community, and updates.

ARIZONA POETRY SOCIETY: SLAM POETRY WORKSHOP
Saturday, October 14, 1PM – 3PM
In this workshop participants will learn the fundamental techniques of delivering their poems in a compelling way. These sessions will be interactive in nature to encourage collaborative energy and ensure engaged participation. The Arizona State Poetry Society (ASPS) sponsored workshop facilitator Ben Gardea for the 2023 Blackberry Peach National Poetry Championship. He finished in the top 10.

LIME CITY STUDIO | WORKSHOP
Saturday, October 14, 12:00PM – 1:30PM OR 2:00PM – 3:30PM
Exciting news! Slime City Studio is making its way to Tucson, Arizona, and we want you to join us for a thrilling Halloween painting and sign workshop. Kids will have a blast painting their very own Halloween-themed canvases and even get the chance to create their own Halloween Slime. Our first workshop will be held at the Tucson Mall Catalyst Creative Collective by SAACA, conveniently situated across from Red Robin. Let’s kick off the Halloween season in the most spooktacular way possible!

DESERT ARTISANS MARKET | FALL FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 28, 12pm – 4pm
The Desert Artisans Market returns to CATALYST with Fall themed festivities! This is a family friendly event featuring over 25 local artists and vendors. Get costumed up and support local at the Tucson Mall! Applications are still open for Artists who feature fall/Halloween products.

BUTTERCREAM PIPING CLASS: HALLOWEEN CUPCAKES
Saturday, October 28, 1:30PM – 3:30PM, 5PM – 7PM
Presented by Song & Sugar Sweets. Indulge in the newest experience with Song & Sugar Sweets’ Buttercream Piping Class: Halloween edition! After the success of her first buttercream decorating class, Sierra is back with new designs and techniques for all to learn. During this class, you’ll start with learning the basics of buttercream then move onto practicing several basic piping techniques, including how to create multicolored buttercream swirls! Then use these skills to recreate three Halloween designs on six cupcakes. This class is suitable for beginners and experienced bakers alike. Make sure to grab your ticket now before they sell out!

LIGHT THE MIC FRIDAYS | OPEN MIC
Every Friday in October AND November 3, 6PM – 8PM
Light The Mic Open Mic Series is open for all for artists! Hosted by the dynamic duo, Mo LaFfo & Shay Thomas, this is where the magic happens. Doors open at 5:45 PM, and the show ignites at 6 PM sharp! We’ve got a spectacular lineup of artists ready to bless the stage with their lyrical prowess, from rap to soulful singing, electrifying spoken word, and captivating poetry. Curated by October Artist-in-Residence Jijivisha Holistics

BEYOND THE CHORDS | YOUTH MUSIC WORKSHOP
Every Saturday in October, 12PM – 3PM
The goal of the Beyond The Chords workshop is to empower and inspire young participants, aged 7-17, to discover their creative potential through music and the visual arts. Overall, the goal is to enrich the lives of young participants, inspire their creative spirits, and provide them with the tools and experiences to embark on a journey of self-discovery through music and artistry. Curated by October Artist-in-Residence Jijivisha Holistics

TALKING BACK THE MYTH OF THANKSGIVING | H.O.N.O.R. Collective
Saturday, November 4, 12pm – 4pm
Come learn about the complex history of Thanksgiving with the HONOR Collective matriarchs and join us as we create art with Indigenous foods. All materials will be provided and you will be able to take home an 8 by 10 canvas. Healing Our Nations, Offering Resilience is a collective of Indigenous women, two spirit, nonbinary and trans individuals who identify in the feminine and provide free healing spaces by incorporating Respect, Relationship, Reciprocity and Responsibility. Your fee will go to assist the HONOR Collective to serve individuals, families and communities touched by Murdered & MIssing Indigenous Relations.

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH SOCIAL & INDIAN CRAFT MARKET
November, 24 – 26
Experience the life and history of several nations in this annual Native American Indian Heritage Month Social and Craft Market event to keep our 10,000-year-old culture alive for the 21st century and beyond. Here, you will find authentic artwork, crafts, demonstrations of their songs, and dances to expand your knowledge of American Indian ways.

ESPERANZA DANCE PROJECTESPERANZA DANCE PROJECT
Mondays & Thursday rehearsals, 6PM – 8:30PM
The 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. Founder and Artistic Director Beth Braun was recently selected as the OnMedia Arts Hero for the 2023-24 performing arts season! Save the Date for Esperanza Dance Project’s Annual Fundraiser and performance at CATALYST on Saturday, November 4th!

CATALYST ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCEMORE INFO
JAMEELA HILLOCT/NOV ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Born and raised in Detroit, MI and now based in Tucson, Jameela Hill is a multi-faceted artist who centers the community in her work. She is a trained doula and yoga instructor and creatively combines artistic elements into her retreats and workshops. Jameela is constantly finding new ways to express herself through painting, writing, photography, and movement. Her Artist Residency at CATALYST will feature numerous collaborations will artists, musicians, wellness coaches and more! Including some regular programming during the weekends:

Fridays | Light the Mic – Open Mic
Saturdays | Beyond the Chords Youth Arts & Music Workshop
Sundays | Yoga

“I am only just beginning to discover the talents I have been blessed with. I am so grateful for each opportunity I have been given and I hope to offer the same opportunities to others.” -MeelaCATALYST CREATIVE PARTNER FEATURELinus Lerner – Music Director LEARN MORE SOUTHERN ARIZONA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRASince 1979, the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra has been a vibrant force in our community, uniting musicians and music lovers in a shared passion for the arts. SASO’s 2023-24 season explores the phenomena of music with an amazing array of selections from around the world. Maestro Linus Lerner brings our community of musicians together with soloists ranging from brilliant young players at the beginning of their careers to a Grammy award-winning cellist.

This season emphasizes American music, including a concert featuring African-American composers, a newly composed “Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue” for piano and orchestra, and music from Linus Lerner’s native Brazil. Also in the repertoire are some of the most powerful classics by Tchaikovsky, Dvořák and Sibelius. SASO’s season begins October 7 at DesertView Performing Arts Center in Saddlebrook en October & 8 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in North Tucson. Purchase your tickets HERE!

CATALYST RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

This August CATALYST hosted over 25 works from the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Each year, VA hospitals across the country partner with the American Legion Auxiliary to host Creative Arts Competitions with the primary goal of giving veterans a space to share their artistic work. Ben’s Bells held their Kind Campus Kickoff in CATALYST in order to kick off the school year and talk about strategies for building an enthusiastic and engaged kind campus! Learn more about the program and get your school involved today at: https://bensbells.org/kindcampus/

The September DESERT ARTISANS MARKET featured local artistans and vendors selling jewelry, art, candles, handbags, home decor and much more! Join us for their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 28 from 12pm – 4pm.