Celebrate Jazz
Friday, June 6, 2025 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Celebrate all things jazz with expressive performances, engaging lectures, and more fun activities for jazz fans of all ages!
Supported by the Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Programming supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
Supported by:
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Event Details
Each day’s schedule is different—check to see exciting activities on Saturday and Sunday!
Craft: Drum & Drum Brush
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Get creative and make your own drum brush, a jazz drumming staple. Plus, decorate a mini drum and create your own beat!
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Curator Talk: From American to Global Jazz
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Event Room 2
Join Daniel Piper, MIM’s curator for Latin America and the Caribbean, for an exploration of the multicultural and international dimensions of jazz. Learn about the dynamic history of Latin jazz and the creative work of African and Asian jazz pioneers.
Performance: The Hot Beignets
11:30 a.m.–noon
North El Río
Dance along to the vibrant, upbeat sounds of New Orleans jazz with a lively performance from the Hot Beignets!
Curator Talk: The Story of Eliana Pittman and Jazz in Brazil
12:30–1:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Learn about the incredible saga of a Brazilian vocalist raised by an American jazz clarinetist of the swing era with MIM’s curator of education, Mike Silvers.
Performance: Bossa Brazil
1:15–1:45 p.m.
North El Río
Listen to the fused rhythms of jazz and samba in this performance from Bossa Brazil, featuring well-known bossa nova and Brazilian jazz tunes.
Performance: We3
3:15–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy the music of some of jazz’s greatest artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, and more, with renowned jazz group We3.
Craft: Drum & Drum Brush
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Get creative and make your own drum brush, a jazz drumming staple. Plus, decorate a mini drum and create your own beat!
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Curator Talk: Is It Jazz or Is It “Jazzy?”
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Event Room 2
Join an open discussion with MIM’s curator for the United States and Canada, Rich Walter, to consider key elements of jazz and what distinguishes it from other genres.
Performance: The Hot Beignets
11:30 a.m.–noon
North El Río
Dance along to the vibrant, upbeat sounds of New Orleans jazz with a lively performance from the Hot Beignets!
Youth-led Mini-Tours
12:15 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Artist Gallery Entrance
Follow Junior Museum Guides on a short, informative tour of MIM’s galleries with a special focus on jazz around the world.
Youth-led Music-Making Workshop
12:15 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Event Room 3
Join Junior Museum Guides for a fun, family-friendly improvisation workshop!
Interactive Swing Performance: Yourchestra and Savage Rhythm
1:30–2:15 p.m.
North El Río
Take part in this fun interactive performance with a live swing band! Learn the basics of swing dance with award-winning band Yourchestra and local dance company Savage Rhythm!
Youth Performance: Phoenix Conservatory of Music
2:45–3:00 p.m.
Central El Río
Enjoy a jazz fusion pop-up performance showcasing the Phoenix Conservatory of Music student jazz trio, featuring young musicians on guitar, bass, and drums. The ensemble’s strong foundation in jazz tradition is demonstrated with youthful energy and creativity.
Performance: We3
3:15–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy the music of some of jazz’s greatest artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, and more, with renowned jazz group We3.
Craft: Drum & Drum Brush
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Get creative and make your own drum brush, a jazz drumming staple. Plus, decorate a mini drum and create your own beat!
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Curator Talk: Is It Jazz or Is It “Jazzy?”
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Event Room 2
Join an open discussion with MIM’s curator for the United States and Canada, Rich Walter, to consider key elements of jazz and what distinguishes it from other genres.
Performance: The Hot Beignets
11:30 a.m.–noon
North El Río
Dance along to the vibrant, upbeat sounds of New Orleans jazz with a lively performance from the Hot Beignets!
Youth-led Mini-Tours
12:15 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Artist Gallery Entrance
Follow Junior Museum Guides on a short, informative tour of MIM’s galleries with a special focus on jazz around the world.
Youth-led Music-Making Workshop
12:15 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Event Room 3
Join Junior Museum Guides for a fun, family-friendly improvisation workshop!
Swing Interactive Performance: Yourchestra and Savage Rhythm
1:30–2:15 p.m.
North El Río
Take part in this fun interactive performance with a live swing band! Learn the basics of swing dance with award-winning band Yourchestra and local dance company Savage Rhythm!
Performance: The Diann Shumate Quartet
3:15–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Explore jazz standard compositions with the Diann Shumate Quartet, featuring well-known tunes from the genre’s most formidable artists.
Weekend Extras Available for Purchase
Lunch at Café Allegro
Offered daily 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a menu of delicious global cuisine with fresh entrées, salads, soups, and grill items showcasing local produce and flavors from around the world.
Shop the Museum Store
Find great guitar-themed gifts, books, and music, as well as a selection of guitars for all ages.
Members save 10% on most items in the Museum Store and online. Every purchase benefits MIM and its programs.
Programming supported in part by
Arts+ Culture City of Phoenix
Arizona Commission on the Arts
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