Experience the Mediterranean

This event is also occurring on Sunday, June 10.

Included with paid museum admission; free for members

Live la dolce vita for a weekend at MIM and enjoy the sounds and cultures of the Mediterranean region! Enjoy hands-on activities, get up close and personal with some instruments from this region, and give your ears a taste of the Mediterranean through live performances.

Sponsored by APS
Supported by the Arizona Hellenic Foundation, the Italian Association of Arizona, the National Italian American Foundation, the Phoenix Greek Festival, Sons and Daughters of Italy Leonardo da Vinci Lodge, and the Turkish American Association of Arizona

Mediterranean Gifts Available for Purchase
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Shop the Museum Store for a selection of books and music that will transport you to the beautiful scenery of the Mediterranean.

Instrument Spotlight: Sounds of the Mediterranean
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
From the Andalusian shores of southern Spain to the old city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, the Mediterranean is home to countless unique instruments. Stop by for a hands-on encounter with some of the region’s musical mainstays, then visit the Europe and Middle East Galleries to see them on display.

Photo Booth
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Add some Mediterranean flare to your outfit and take a photo to remember the day! Have your picture taken with costumes and props at MIM’s custom photo booth, and instantly get your own copy to take home.

Mini-Tours of Galleries
10:15–10:45 a.m., 11:15–11:45 a.m., 12:15–12:45 p.m., and 1:15–1:45 p.m.
Join our Junior Museum Guides for a mini-tour through MIM’s Geo-Galleries, with special highlights of countries around the Mediterranean Sea.

Music-Making Activity
10:15–10:45 a.m., 11:15–11:45 a.m., 12:15–12:45 p.m., and 1:15–1:45 p.m.
Take part in family-friendly drumming and music making! Junior Museum Guides will lead this fun musical activity four times throughout the day—you won’t want to miss it.

Middle Eastern Music Performance
10:30–11:15 a.m. (Saturday), 12:30–1:15 p.m. (Sunday)
MIM volunteer team member Jack Saba, a talented international guitar, violin, and ‘ūd player, presents a program of music from the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. He spent many years performing professionally in Kuwait and Europe and is joined by local musician Ninos Toma to share this musical style with us.

Face Painting
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Add some of the warm, rich colors of the Mediterranean Sea to your look! Have your face painted with a colorful design by the artists of Evolving Through Art.

Mediterranean-Inspired Lunch Menu Available for Purchase
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Have a taste of the Mediterranean with a special menu at Café Allegro that features flavors from North Africa, Greece, Spain, and Italy.

Greek Folk Dance Workshop
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. and 1:45–2:15 p.m.
Folk dancing has been an important part of life in Greece since ancient times. Learn about traditional folk dances from this country and try out some dance moves yourself! Join folk dancers from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral for a workshop on some of the dance techniques involved in this cultural tradition.

Italian Accordion Performance
12:30–1:15 p.m. (Saturday) 10:30–11:15 a.m. (Sunday)
Known as “the totally Italian kid from Colorado,” Augie Figurelli will take guests on a musical tour of Italy with traditional accordion music. The accordion has become a symbol of Italian culture and an integral part of Italian folk music. Come and hear Figurelli coax nostalgic and cheerful tunes from the bellows of this iconic folk instrument.

Curator Talk: “A Time-Traveling Musical Tour of the Mediterranean”
2:15–3:00 p.m.
MIM’s associate curator David Wegehaupt illuminates connections between the rich and diverse musical cultures of the Mediterranean countries in southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. Beginning with some of the world’s earliest depictions of musical culture, including images and mythology from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the talk will describe the migration and development of musical instruments found throughout the Mediterranean region today, using examples found in MIM’s displays along with illustrative audio and video recordings.

Mediterranean Guitar Performance
3:15–4:00 p.m.
Beautifully blending the sounds and rhythms of their native Greek culture with the warm, inviting romance of the classical Spanish guitar, brothers Thano and Demitri Sahnas create an intimate Mediterranean style that has enthralled thousands of people throughout the American Southwest. They will bring their unique hybrid sound to MIM to help celebrate Mediterranean music and culture.

Photograph by Massimo Smarra