Experience the Silk Road
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 01/15/2017
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
Gifts for purchase in the Museum Store
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Dive into the colorful selection of fairly traded crafts in the Museum Store. From bells and baskets to bags and jewelry, you will find many ways to adorn yourself and your home. We also offer a variety of Asian and Middle Eastern music CDs.
Photo Booth
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken with costumes and props at MIM’s custom photo booth, and instantly get your own copy to take home.
Rattle Drum Craft
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Rattle drums, also known as pellet drums, are popular in China and throughout East Asia. These drums are used in religious rituals, as children’s toys, and as noisemakers by street vendors. MIM team members and volunteers will assist guests in creating an instrument inspired by these traditional drums.
Toe-Tap Pianos
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Play a tune with your toes! Try your skill on our eight-foot piano mats.
Phoenix Chinese Arts Ensemble Performance
10:30–11:15 a.m.
Main Courtyard
Enjoy a Chinese classical music performance by the Phoenix Chinese Arts Ensemble. Since 1995, this group of local professional musicians has been performing at cultural events all over the Valley. This performance will feature traditional Chinese instruments such as the dizi, xiao, erhu, banhu, pipa, guzheng, and gu.
Henna Body Art
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
South El Río
Get a beautiful henna body art design from Neelam Sandesara of the Henna Shoppe. Don’t worry; this natural, brown-tinted dye is only temporary!
Special Lunch Menu Available for Purchase
11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Café Allegro
Let your taste buds go on a journey with a special Café Allegro menu with traditional dishes from the length of the Silk Road.
Indian Dance Workshop
11:30 a.m.–noon
Event Room 2
Dance your heart out in MIM’s Indian dance workshop led by talented student faculty graduates of Sampradaya Dance of India. Learn the classical bharata-nātyam style of dance with ancient roots dating back over two thousand years ago.
Qais Essar and Prafulla Athalye Afghan Rabab and Tabla Performance
12:15–1:00 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Indulge in the sounds of the ancient Hindu Kush mountain range with a performance by the international rabab artist Qais Essar, accompanied by celebrated tabla artist Prafulla Athalye. Dating back over 2,500 years ago, the rabab has been a staple in traditional and classical forms of Afghan and Indian music. Come to MIM to experience the rich sounds of these captivating instruments!
Sampradaya Dance of India Performance
1:30–2:15 p.m.
Main Courtyard
Witness the grace of 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.
Curator Talk: “Instruments and Music of the Silk Road”
2:30–3:15 p.m.
Event Room 2
Join MIM curator Colin Pearson for a musical journey across Asia to learn about the surprising variety of music, instruments, and ideas that were transmitted along the legendary Silk Road trade routes. Travel back in time to cross deserts, mountains, and forests, and hear how silk strings and blaring reedpipes have resonated across the Asian continent.
Silk Road Fusion Performance
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Main Courtyard
The Silk Road was known for its exchange of ideas, culture, and music. In this spirit, MIM invites you to a unique collaboration by all of the day’s artists as they close out the day by traveling through the music and culture of this famous ancient route.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.