King Tut exhibit may be coming to Dallas

An entry for Monday morning on Mayor Tom Leppert's official calendar appears to confirm what several sources have been telling The Dallas Morning News: King Tut will soon be rolling into town.

The notation on the mayor's calendar reads as follows: "9:30 AM-Press Conference Announce Egyptian King Tut Exhibit (Dallas Museum of Art)." When reached for comment on Friday, however, the mayor's office offered a terse "no comment."

Earlier this week, the DMA announced that it would be making a "landmark announcement" at 10 a.m. Monday. That's exactly what the blockbuster exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts is.

"Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" has been a major draw in the U.S. cities where it's appeared in the last two years. This is the first time in a generation that the show has visited the United States.

When it originally toured, 26 years ago, the Tut exhibition was a cultural touchstone, drawing enormous crowds, rousing interest in ancient Egyptian history and helping make young comedian Steve Martin a major star with his King Tut song and dance on Saturday Night Live .

Dallas will inject a little of its own hoopla Monday. According to the news release, Mr. Leppert will appear alongside outgoing DMA Director John R. Lane, and both will be accompanied by a "visually stunning parade down Flora Street," along with "the unfurling of a banner underscoring the announcement."

On Friday, no one would offer official confirmation of the coup. When Tut might arrive in Dallas, or where it would be housed, remain unknown.