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Included with paid museum admission; free for members
At this year’s annual holiday program, see and hear live handbell, mariachi, and klezmer musical performances; make a holiday card with your little one at our craft table; and learn how to play the Indonesian gamelan in a music-making workshop.
Gifts Available for Purchase 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ’Tis the season to celebrate with gifts from around the world at the Museum Store, featuring ornaments, musical instruments, and holiday décor to make every celebration special.
Holiday Card Craft-Making Activity 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Make your own holiday cards with pop-ups of your favorite instruments! These handmade cards will be perfect gifts to give to your fellow music fans.
Instrument Spotlight: Handbells 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Drop in and try your hand at a tune on MIM’s set of Schulmerich handbells. Volunteer team members will guide you through the simple steps to a joyful sound on these fun instruments.
Photo Booth 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Have your picture taken with fun musical props at MIM’s custom photo booth and instantly get your own copy to take home.
Face Painting 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Add a burst of holiday cheer to your look! Have your face painted with a custom design by the talented artists of Evolving Through Art.
Gamelan Music-Making Activity 11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:45 & 2:45 p.m. Take part in a family-friendly gamelan music-making experience! MIM’s Junior Museum Guides will lead this exciting opportunity to play one of the many instruments that make up a Balinese gamelan orchestra. Be sure to stop in on one of the four workshops throughout the day (space and instruments are limited).
Holiday-Themed Mini-Tours 11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:45 & 2:45 p.m. Join MIM’s Junior Museum Guides for a musical trip through the Geographic Galleries with a special focus on seasonal holiday traditions. Mini-tours will take place four times throughout the day.
Student Holiday Music Performance 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Enjoy a performance by students from the Arizona School for the Arts (ASA). On Saturday, join the ASA Percussion Ensemble directed by Liz Guzman and on Sunday, come see the ASA Brass Ensemble directed by Derek Sanchez to hear some unique beats and festive tunes.
Handbell Choir Performance 12:45–1:30 p.m. For over twenty-five years, the handbell choir Desert Bells International has been sharing the art of English handbell ringing at celebrations throughout Phoenix and beyond. Made up of members of many different ages, the ensemble has performed with the Phoenix Symphony, recorded with The Tonight Show orchestra, and appeared at handbell conferences and festivals around the world. Join this talented handbell group for a heartwarming performance of their favorite seasonal songs.
Mariachi Music Performance 2:15–2:45 p.m. Join us for a performance by Mariachi Pasion. This all-female mariachi group has been pleasing crowds since they first formed in 2002 at Arizona State University. Pulling together musicians from diverse backgrounds, this group has performed for a wide range of audiences, from the Arizona Opera to the former president of Mexico. Their passion and talent earned them the 2013 Best of Phoenix “Best Mariachi” award. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the holidays with joyful mariachi tunes.
Klezmer Music Performance 3:15–4:00 p.m. Rural Street Klezmer Band returns to MIM to celebrate Hanukkah and share traditional Jewish “soul music” inspired by music from Eastern Europe’s traveling Ashkenazi Jews. This ensemble blends elements of folk, jazz, blues, and rock music together to fill MIM’s courtyard with the distinctive sounds of klezmer music.
