Experience France
Sat. & Sun., July 11 & 12, 2026
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Schedule of Activities
Experience the joie de vivre of France through fun performances showcasing historical and modern French music and engaging talks and workshops highlighting French culture!
Supported by Alliance Française of Greater Phoenix, Phoenix Sister Cities Grenoble Committee, and the French American Chamber of Commerce, Rocky Mountain Chapter
Programming supported in part by the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
Craft: Mini French Beret
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Make and decorate your own mini felt beret!
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: Around the World—Daft Punk, Manu Chao, and the French Global Sound
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Event Room 2
Learn about the important role of France in the history of global popular music with Mike Silvers, MIM’s curator of education.
Drop-In Django Jazz Guitar: Mike Fowler
10:15–11:00 a.m.
Café Allegro
Be transported to a 1930s French café through an acoustic Django jazz performance by local guitarist Mike Fowler.
Édith Piaf Tribute Performance: Hélène Bergeon
11:30 a.m.–noon
North El Río
Enjoy the poetic chansons of Édith Piaf, performed by esteemed local French singer Hélène Bergeon.
Drop-In Discothèque Dance Party: T4YANA
12:15–1:15 p.m.
Event Room 3
Join local DJ T4YANA for an upbeat dance party featuring French house and disco hits.
Robjohn Organ Demonstration: Valerie Harris
12:45–1:00 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
Hear professional organist Valerie Harris play elegant French baroque works on MIM’s Robjohn pipe organ.
French Blues Performance: Jacques Melville
1:30–2:00 p.m.
North El Río
Experience the art of French blues with Austin-based, French-born musician Jacques Melville.
Mime Workshop: Derek the Mime
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 3
Learn the basics of miming with professional mime Derek Loughran, who has performed in films and on television.
Mime Performance: Derek the Mime
3:30–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy a beautiful and fun tribute to legendary mime Marcel Marceau in this performance of the “art of silence.”
Craft: Mini French Beret
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Make and decorate your own mini felt beret!
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: Around the World—Daft Punk, Manu Chao, and the French Global Sound
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Event Room 2
Learn about the important role of France in the history of global popular music with Mike Silvers, MIM’s curator of education.
Drop-In Django Jazz Guitar: Mike Fowler
10:15–11:00 a.m.
Café Allegro
Be transported to a 1930s French café through an acoustic Django jazz performance by local guitarist Mike Fowler.
Édith Piaf Tribute Performance: Hélène Bergeon
11:30 a.m.–noon
North El Río
Enjoy the poetic chansons of Édith Piaf, performed by esteemed local French singer Hélène Bergeon.
Drop-In Discothèque Dance Party: T4YANA
12:15–1:15 p.m.
Event Room 3
Join local DJ T4YANA for an upbeat dance party featuring French house and disco hits.
Robjohn Organ Demonstration: Valerie Harris
12:45–1:00 p.m.
Orientation Gallery
Hear professional organist Valerie Harris play elegant French Romantic works on MIM’s Robjohn pipe organ.
French Blues Performance: Jacques Melville
1:30–2:00 p.m.
North El Río
Experience the art of French blues with Austin-based, French-born musician Jacques Melville.
Mime Workshop: Derek the Mime
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 3
Learn the basics of miming with professional mime Derek Loughran, who has performed in films and on television.
Mime Performance: Derek the Mime
3:30–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy a beautiful and fun tribute to legendary mime Marcel Marceau in this performance of the “art of silence.”
Weekend ExtrasAvailable 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.
Programming supported in part by
City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
Related Events
