PHOENIX (June 24, 2022) – The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is excited to announce its upcoming series of monthly Signature Events, during which guests can experience music from four countries: France, India, Japan, and Mexico. Each weekend-long event brings MIM’s galleries to life through live performances, curator talks, workshops, and more family-friendly activities—all included with museum admission and free for members.

The first global Signature Event, Experience France, is on Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10, giving guests the chance to celebrate French culture around Bastille Day, one of France’s most widely celebrated national holidays. With support from community partners Alliance Française of Greater Phoenix and the Phoenix Sister Cities Grenoble Committee, the event features live French music, exciting workshops, and hands-on educational experiences. Hear Tony Putrino play the accordion, an instrument prominent in French music, and enjoy French reed trios played by members of the Paradise Winds ensemble. Expand your knowledge of France by participating in a French language workshop and joining MIM associate curator David Wegehaupt for an in-depth look at the instruments, noteworthy makers, and musical traditions represented at the museum’s France exhibit. For added fun, guests of all ages can make their own rosette, a rose-shaped decoration made out of ribbon.

Following Experience France in July, the journey around the world continues on select weekends in August, September, and October with the following events:

  • Experience India—August 13 & 14
    Immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds and rhythms of India with live performances, family-friendly activities, and cultural demonstrations that highlight the significance of Indian music.
  • Experience Japan—September 3 & 4
    Take in the breadth of Japan’s illustrious culture with live musical presentations, fun crafts for all ages, and informative discussions about the history and instruments featured in MIM’s Japan exhibit.
  • Experience Mexico—October 8 & 9
    Enjoy the colorful sights and diverse sounds of Mexico’s rich musical traditions and go beyond familiar genres with live performances and workshops that celebrate MIM’s robust collection.

“These upcoming Signature Events offer guests of all ages an engaging way to experience new cultures through the lens of music,” says Chloe Tengan, MIM’s public programs manager. “Our team has carefully designed each event to transport you to a different country without ever leaving the Valley.”

In addition to the exciting activities, MIM’s on-site restaurant, Café Allegro, will offer a special lunch menu of regionally inspired dishes during each event. The Museum Store will also offer a selection of gifts, including books, CDs, and imported products from each country.

All Signature Events are included with paid museum admission and free for members.

Programming is supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

All programming is subject to change.

The Musical Instrument Museum is at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix (corner of Tatum and Mayo Boulevards, just south of Loop 101). For general museum information and a full schedule of events, visit MIM.org or call 480.478.6000.

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About MIM
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) enriches our world by collecting, preserving, and making accessible an astonishing variety of musical instruments and performance videos from every country in the world. MIM offers guests a welcoming and fun experience, incomparable interactive technology, dynamic programming, and exceptional musical performances. MIM fosters appreciation of the world’s diverse cultures by showing how we innovate, adapt, and learn from each other to create music—the language of the soul. To learn more about MIM, visit MIM.org.

Find MIM on Facebook: Facebook.com/MIMphx
Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube: @MIMphx

MIM Press Contact
Melissa Parsoff
mparsoff@parsoff-communications.com

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