Celebrate MIM’s 15th Anniversary!
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Embark on a musical journey around the globe in celebration of MIM’s 15th anniversary! Diverse performances, hands-on learning experiences, and thrilling musical encounters will bring MIM’s immense collection to life!
Programming supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
Event Details
Each day’s schedule is different—check to see exciting activities on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Scavenger Hunt
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Explore the galleries and find the treasures of MIM’s collection on a scavenger hunt!
Craft: Tambourine
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Design a celebratory tambourine and make some noise for MIM’s 15th anniversary.
Photobooth
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.
Percussion Ensemble Performance: Sandra Day O’Connor High School
9:15–9:45 a.m.
Main Courtyard
Kick off MIM’s anniversary weekend with a special performance by the award-winning student percussion ensemble from Sandra Day O’Connor High School!
Part of the Sweetwater Student Showcase Series, supported by Sweetwater
Curator Talk: Sounding Sonoran
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Event Room 2
Join curator of education Mike Silvers for a fascinating lecture on musical influences found throughout Arizona’s soundscape.
Oud Performance: Jack Saba
10:15–10:45 a.m.
North El Río
Experience the music of the oud, a lute with roots in the Middle East and Northern Africa, as performed by Jack Saba.
Interactive Swing Dancing Performance: Arizona Lindy Hop Society
Noon–12:30 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Learn popular swing dance moves with the Arizona Lindy Hop Society!
Orchestrion
Noon and 3:00 p.m.
Mechanical Music Gallery
Enjoy music from MIM’s largest instrument, the orchestrion.
Demonstration: Octobasse
12:30–12:45 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
See curator for Europe Matthew Zeller play this eleven-and-a-half-foot-tall bowed string instrument.
Conservator Talk: Preparing Instruments for Exhibition
12:45–1:15 p.m.
Event Room 2
Learn how MIM examines, documents, restores, and maintains historic instruments with MIM’s conservator, Rodrigo Correa-Salas.
String Quartet Performance: The Phoenix Symphony
1:15–1:45 p.m.
North El Río
Take in the Phoenix Symphony’s string quartet in this captivating performance.
Chinese Dizi and Xiao Flutes Performance: Eddie Chia-Hao Hsu
1:45–2:00 p.m.
Central El Río
Hear the sounds of the dizi and xiao flutes in a brief performance of Chinese music by MIM’s curator for Asia and Oceania, Eddie Chia-Hao Hsu.
Sabar and Djembe Drumming Performance: Ensemble Ndeye Soxna
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Experience energetic West African sabar and djembe rhythms with local drumming group Ensemble Ndeye Soxna.
Curator Talk: Roots and Routes of the Middle East
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Explore the importance and influence of instruments from the Middle East with MIM’s curator for the Middle East and Latin America, Daniel Piper.
Choral Pop-Up Performance: Los Angeles Children’s Chorus
3:15–3:30 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy the harmonies of the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.
Hip Hop Dance Performance: Furious Styles Crew
3:30—4:15 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Join the internationally renowned Furious Styles Crew and award-winning hip hop artist and educator Edson “House” Magaña for an engaging performance connecting dance, music, and turntablism and showcasing hip hop culture as a unified movement.
Demonstration: Robjohn Pipe Organ
4:15–4:30 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
Enjoy this special demonstration of MIM’s 1859 Robjohn pipe organ with renowned concert organist Dr. Valerie Harris.
Scavenger Hunt
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Explore the galleries and find the treasures of MIM’s collection on a scavenger hunt!
Craft: Tambourine
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Design a celebratory tambourine and make some noise for MIM’s 15th anniversary.
Photobooth
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.
Demonstration: Orchestral Regina Music Box
9:15–9:30 a.m.
Mechanical Music Gallery
Watch a demonstration of MIM’s Orchestral Regina disc music box, which plays 27-inch metal discs.
Curator Talk: Rattling the Spirit
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Event Room 2
Join Manuel Jordán, MIM’s chief curator and curator for Africa, and learn how rattles across Africa take many forms, reinforce concepts of community, and help people communicate with the spirit world.
Burkinabe Music Performance: Arouna and Zaza Diarra
10:15–10:45 a.m.
North El Río
Discover the music of Burkina Faso with accomplished musicians and instrument makers Arouna and Zaza Diarra
Diné Songs of Tradition: Radmilla Cody
10:45–11:00 a.m.
Central El Río
Hear Grammy nominee Radmilla Cody perform songs in her native language and English honoring Diné traditions and community as well as special songs for children.
Made possible through the generosity of Canyon Records
Panel: Making an Exhibit—A Behind-the-Scenes Look
11:30 a.m.–noon
Event Room 2
Join a panel of MIM team members, hosted by curator for Europe Matthew Zeller, for a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making a MIM exhibit.
Native American Flute Performance: Aaron White and Jay Begaye
Noon–12:30 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Enjoy Native American flute music by Grammy nominee Aaron White (Diné-Ute) and Navajo horse songs and Canadian-style round-dance songs by Jay Begaye (Diné).
Made possible through the generosity of Canyon Records
Orchestrion
Noon and 3:00 p.m.
Mechanical Music Gallery
Enjoy music from MIM’s largest instrument, the orchestrion.
Demonstration: Octobasse
12:30–12:45 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
See curator for Europe Matthew Zeller play this eleven-and-a-half-foot-tall bowed string instrument.
Curator Talk: From Ancestral Voices to Island Strum—Highlights from MIM’s Oceania Gallery
12:45–1:15 p.m.
Event Room 2
Join curator Eddie Chia-Hao Hsu to explore the stories behind the instruments in MIM’s Oceania Gallery, which embody rich Indigenous traditions and European influences.
Performance: Mariachi Alma de Mi Pueblo
1:15—1:45 p.m.
North El Río
Listen to traditional Mexican folk music and popular rancheras from an award-winning mariachi group.
Strolling Accordion Pop-Up Performance: Tony Putrino
1:45–2:00 p.m.
El Río
Follow talented local accordionist Tony Putrino as he performs a variety of European music styles throughout El Río.
Taiko Drumming Performance: Ken Koshio
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Experience the powerful sound of taiko drumming with world-renowned musician and Japanese folk music artist Ken Koshio.
Made possible through the generosity of K2Enterprise LLC
Capoeira Workshop: Axé Capoeira
2:45–3:15 p.m.
North El Río
Learn the basics of a martial arts–fused dance that originated in Rio de Janeiro from Axé Capoeira Arizona!
Bomba Drumming Performance: Grupo BombAZo
3:30–4:15 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Celebrate the Afro-Puerto Rican song and dance style of bomba with Joe Goglia and Grupo BombAZo.
Demonstration: Robjohn Pipe Organ
4:15–4:30 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
Enjoy this special demonstration of MIM’s 1859 Robjohn pipe organ with renowned concert organist Dr. Valerie Harris.
Scavenger Hunt
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Explore the galleries and find the treasures of MIM’s collection on a scavenger hunt!
Craft: Tambourine
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Design a celebratory tambourine and make some noise for MIM’s 15th anniversary.
Photobooth
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.
Historic Steinway Piano Pop-Up Performance: Jonah Mars
9:15–9:30 a.m.
Upper El Río
Enjoy the sounds of MIM’s 1886 Steinway Model C “Parlor Concert Grand” piano as performed by Jonah Mars.
Curator Talk: Only at MIM
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Event Room 2
Join curator for United States / Canada Rich Walter to learn about some of MIM’s unique instruments.
Middle Eastern Music Performance: Layali Al-Sham
10:15–10:45 a.m.
North El Río
Listen to a captivating performance from Layali Al-Sham, Arizona State University’s Middle Eastern music ensemble.
Pop-Up Workshop: American Folk Sing-Along
10:45–11:00 a.m.
Event Room 2
Join curator of education Mike Silvers for a fun classic folk music sing-along!
Curator Talk: Fieldwork from Latin America
11:30 a.m.–noon
Event Room 2
Examine the growth of the Latin America collection with personal stories and highlights from MIM’s curator for the Middle East and Latin America, Daniel Piper.
Native American Hoop Dancing Performance: Yellow Bird Productions
Noon–12:30 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Experience an engaging performance of stories, music, and dance from Yellow Bird Productions representing the Apache, Arikara, and Hidatsa nations.
Orchestrion
Noon and 3:00 p.m.
Mechanical Music Gallery
Enjoy music from MIM’s largest instrument, the orchestrion.
Demonstration: Octobasse
12:30–12:45 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
See curator for Europe Matthew Zeller play this eleven-and-a-half-foot-tall bowed string instrument.
Panel: Behind the Scenes with MIM Curators!
12:45–1:15 p.m.
Event Room 2
Hear stories and insights from Rich Walter and Daniel Piper, two of MIM’s longtime curators, and learn about memorable acquisitions and how they have seen exhibits change over the years.
Interactive Drumming Performance: AZ Rhythm Connection
1:15–1:45 p.m.
North El Río
Catch the rhythm and learn the basics of African, Latin, and pop music hand drumming with master instructor Frank Thompson.
Spanish Guitar Pop-Up Performance: Luis Martinez
1:45–2:00 p.m.
Central El Río
Listen to the vibrant, melodic sounds of the Spanish guitar from Phoenix-based musician Luis Martinez.
Bharata-nātyam Dance Performance: Sampradaya Dance of India
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Witness graceful classical bharata-nātyam dance routines of southern India performed by students of Sampradaya Dance of India, under the direction of internationally renowned artist Nita Mallya.
Polynesian Dance Performance: Tamāli’i Polynesian Entertainment
2:45–3:15 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy the spirit of Polynesian dance with local group Tamāli’i Polynesian Entertainment whose performance reflects the vibrant, living culture of the Pacific Islands
Afrobeat Performance: Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra
3:30–4:15 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Experience the exciting sounds of Afrobeat with a performance from the Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra.
Demonstration: Robjohn Pipe Organ
4:15–4:30 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
Enjoy this special demonstration of MIM’s 1859 Robjohn pipe organ with renowned concert organist Dr. Valerie Harris.
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
Among the many fun musical instruments for purchase, you will also find MIM’s beautiful new collection catalog, as well as our exclusive T-shirts and caps that let you show your love for MIM.
Members save 10% on most items in the Museum Store and online.
Every purchase benefits MIM and its programs.
Presented by
Programming supported in part by
Arts+ Culture City of Phoenix
Arizona Commission on the Arts
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