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BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Glendale Star Executive Editor
Jurassic Quest is more than a drive-thru entertainment event. It’s educational.
“It’s an educational interactive tour,” said Nick Schaefer, Jurassic Quest’s customer service specialist/education. “We have more than 70 photorealistic dinosaurs.”
At Gila River Arena’s parking lot from Friday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Sept. 5, Jurassic Quest also features trainer meet and greets, photo opportunities and audio adventure tours.
Founded in 2013 as a small, family-run business, Jurassic Quest collaborated with paleontologists for the dinosaurs to make sure every detail was accurate, from coloration to teeth size and textured skin.
Schaefer runs the fossil and educational side of the show.
“We’ve done shows all over the continental United States and Canada,” Schaefer said. “We have lots of great educational opportunities.
“Dinosaurs are a gateway science. You can dive into dinosaurs for each part of STEM — things like geology, biology and chemistry.”
The attraction brings in kids and families of all ages.
“I think dinosaurs are something that are universal — almost all groups, cultures and ages,” he said. “All the time, adults marvel at what we have.”
Guests can choose their own audio adventure. Jurassic Quest’s Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick (Schaefer) and Park Ranger Marty provide the soundtrack for the hourlong trip with little-known dino facts.
Visitors can opt for the original audio tour in English and Spanish or one of two new audio adventures: join Safari Sarah’s highlights tour with the rest of the crew serving up a surprise at the end, or go along for a goofy ride with Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty as they track a baby dino.
More than 2.5 million people have attended the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru since the national tour launched in June with stops in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Detroit, Atlanta, Orlando and Houston.
Jurassic Quest’s Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty provide the soundtrack for the hourlong trip. (Photos courtesy of Jurassic Quest)
Jurassic Quest Drive Thru
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, Thursdays and Fridays; 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays Aug. 27 to Sept. 5. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. WHERE: Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale COST: $49 per vehicle; up to eight guests INFO: jurassicquest.com
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Call Steve Today to Set Up Interview! 480-298-3688 Ballet Arizona’s virtual book club returns
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF
Ballet Arizona launched its 2021-22 virtual book club with the mission of building community and appreciation for the incredible art form of dance. The club meets once per quarter via Zoom, and it started earlier this year.
“We are so excited to welcome back this engaging and educational club,” said Alexandra Papazian, Ballet Arizona’s education and community engagement manager.
“Experiencing this art in all of its different forms and reading about ballet and individual stories brings a greater appreciation and excitement to our season.”
by Maria Tallchief and Larry Kaplan Wednesday, Oct. 20
A self-portrait of the fairy-tale life of a woman who understood that a committed talent could transform the world around her. “Maria Tallchief and American ballet came of age in the same moment… Her story will always be the story of ballet conquering America. It was and is an American romance.” —Arlene Croce, The New Yorker
“Bunheads”
by Sophie Flack Wednesday, Jan. 19
A vibrant and absorbing novel about the competitive world of professional ballet, written by a former New York City Ballet dancer. As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet company, 19-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. But when she meets a spontaneous and irresistibly cute musician named Jacob, her universe begins to change.
by Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince Wednesday, April 20
Michaela DePrince was known as girl No. 27 at the orphanage, where she was abandoned at a young age and tormented as a “devil child” for a skin condition that makes her skin appear spotted.
But it was at the orphanage that Michaela would fi nd a picture of a beautiful ballerina en pointe that would help change the course of her life.
At the age of 4, Michaela was adopted by an American family, who encouraged her love of dancing and enrolled her in classes. She went on to study at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre, and at 17 Michaela performed with the Dance Theatre of Harlem professional company.
The next year, she joined the Dutch National Junior Company as a second-year member and apprentice to the main company. Now at the age of 25, Michaela is ranked as a soloist at Dutch National Ballet. She has appeared in the ballet documentary “First Position” as well as on “Dancing with the Stars,” “Good Morning America” and “Nightline.” In this engaging, moving and unforgettable memoir, Michaela shares her dramatic journey from an orphan in West Africa to becoming one of ballet’s most exciting rising stars.
Preregistration is required to receive the Zoom meeting information. To register, read more and for links to purchase the books, visit balletaz.org/ ballet-arizona-book-club.
