Fundraiser + Fun Party=MOCA Gala

Chuck George, John Adams, Marta Harvey, Mark Lory, Randi Dorman and Rob Paulus in front of the mural by Gerben Mulder at the 2012 Gala.
photo: Roger Tamietti

While some local fundraising shindigs have gotten predictable year after year—taking place in the same resort ballroom, with elaborate menus, lots of silent auction items and a band to help you dance the night away—other local enterprising entities’ events are standing out with their unique settings, programs and attendees.

Recent events of note have included the “Bollywood at the Fox” fundraisers that closed off Congress Street, the annual Centurions events which rotate venues and themes, and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Gala and Local Genius Awards Gala. This year, gala takes place on Friday, April 11 and is promising to raise the bar on what distinctive, fun and successful events look like in Tucson.

The purpose of the MOCA Gala is to raise funds in support of its exhibitions and education programs that aim to inspire, through contemporary art, an appreciation for the creative world. The event nearly always sells out, with many of its 300 plus attendees returning every year due to the exceptional blend of style, food and company.

Set in MOCA’s cavernous Great Hall in the old Downtown fire station, the event has many of the standard elements of a fundraiser such as live and silent auctions, top-notch food and dancing, but there is something different about the event that sets it apart from others. It may be the audience; a matchless blend of art folk, city leaders, scientists and activists, or it may be the setting of a transformed former garage of a fire station that sets the tone for the evening.

Randi Dorman, MOCA’s Board President and chief cheerleader is a tireless advocate for the mission of MOCA and sees the gala as a “perfect blend of fundraiser and fun party.”

This year, as in the past, guests can valet park at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) as the party begins in the Leo Rich Theatre at TCC. Following the official “program,” a short procession goes from the TCC across the street to MOCA for the main event, which often goes long into the night.

Featuring a lavish buffet from Blue House Catering along with a special “art” dessert from the world famous Kreemart and music from renowned DJ Gaspar Muniz, the night has all the makings of a special evening. Also on display during the gala is the artwork of video artist Janaina Tschäpe whose career retrospective is currently on display. Her artwork can also be experienced from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, in case you want to see it without a full-blown party going on around you.

A packed house enjoying the 2011 Gala.
photo: Tom Willet

The gala usually raises well over $100,000 for MOCA, helping it operate all year long to bring and host cutting-edge artwork to Tucson. MOCA’s ongoing educational programs are also a beneficiary of the evening, which many Tucsonans are unaware of. Everything from artist lectures, to programs for children from grade school age to high school are offered at MOCA all year long and are helping to create a “new generation of art savvy kids,” according to Dorman.

MOCA’s annual Gala is Friday, April 11 at the Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave., and at MOCA, 265 S. Church Ave., from 6 p.m. to midnight. Artwork by video artist Janaina Tschäpe is featured this year. Tickets are $250 per person, which includes the buffet, champagne toast and dancing. A live and silent auction will also take place during the evening. For more information and tickets visit MOCA-Tucson.org.

Category: Arts, Community, DOWNTOWN / UNIVERSITY / 4TH AVE