Explore new legendary musical instruments in Rediscover Treasures! Reserve your exhibition tickets ›
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Take in the breadth of Japan’s illustrious music and culture with live encounters and informative discussions.
Supported by the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix and the Japanese Culture Club of Arizona
Programming supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
All activities are happening on Saturday and Sunday.
Craft: Frog Origami and Den-Den Daiko 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. South El Río Make a handheld pellet drum or try the traditional art form of folding paper with a lucky paper frog craft!
Japanese Brush Calligraphy 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. El Río Stop by the community partner tables to learn more about the organizations in the Valley that support Japanese culture. Take home a piece of art created by Encolor while supplies last.
Photo Booth 9:30 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.
Gallery Mini-Tours 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Upper El Río Join Junior Museum Guides on a short, informative tour of MIM’s galleries with a special focus on instruments in the Asia Gallery.
Music-Making Workshop 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Event Room 3 Learn the Kyu Sakamoto hit “Sukiyaki” on the Loog Mini, a three-stringed guitar, in this fun, family-friendly musical activity led by Junior Museum Guides.
Curator Talk: Highlighting Folk and Indigenous Japanese Musical Instruments 12:15 p.m. Event Room 2 Join MIM curator Eddie Chia-Hao Hsu for an exclusive talk about the new Japan: Folk and Indigenous exhibit in MIM’s Asia gallery. Hsu will introduce musical instruments from the exuberant traditions of the people of Japan’s northernmost and southernmost regions in cultural context.
Performance: Ken Koshio 12:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. MIM Music Theater World-renowned musician Ken Koshio (pictured above) leads a unique performance exploring the history of taiko drumming with groups that celebrate Japanese culture.
Programming is subject to change.
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 Shop the Museum Store for elegant Japanese gifts, including wind bells, dinner bells, and bicycle bells, as well as teapots, bowls, books, and CDs.
Members save 10% on most items in the Museum Store and online. Every purchase benefits MIM and its programs.
