Included with paid museum admission; free for members
In conjunction with Arizona Canada Week, enjoy French-Canadian string band and fiddle musical performances, hear a Canadian children’s story set to the live music of MIM’s Story Time Band, and make a fiddle craft with your little one.
Sponsored by APS In partnership with the Consulate General of Canada Los Angeles Supported by the Canadian Club of the West Valley, the Great Canadian Picnic, and Phoenix Sister Cities Calgary Committee
Gifts Available for Purchase 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Shop the Museum Store for a special selection of Canadian music and books.
Fiddle Craft-Making Activity 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Build your own fiddle! An iconic instrument that speaks to the diverse cultural influences that make up Canadian musical traditions, the fiddle can be seen all over Canada on orchestra stages and front porches alike. Use recycled materials to craft your own fiddle to take home.
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.
Musical Story Time: ABC of Canada 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m. & 1:45 p.m. Join MIM’s Story Time Band for a musical, letter-by-letter introduction to Canada’s people, places, and things. Follow along as the band reads children’s book ABC of Canada, by author Kim Bellefontaine and illustrator Per-Henrik Gürth, and performs live music set to the story.
Face Painting 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Show your Canadian spirit! Have your face painted with maple leaves, flags, and colorful designs by the skilled painters of Hello Face Paint.
Canadian Vocal Music Performance 11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, soprano Dr. Adrienne Goglia will present the music of contemporary Canadian composers who have been inspired by the folk music of their homeland. Come hear these modern works and learn about the progression from traditional folk-song styles to contemporary art songs through selections by Mary Gardiner, Jean Coulthard, Cathia Pine, and John Greer.
Canadian-Inspired Lunch Menu Available for Purchase 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Enjoy a special menu at Café Allegro that will highlight some of Canada’s most well-known culinary delights, including tourtière, a meat pie originating in Quebec; everyone’s favorite potato fries and gravy dish, poutine; and a decadent dessert bar named after the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia.
Canadian Folk Song and Dance Workshop 12:15–1:00 p.m. In the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, there is a tradition of impromptu jam sessions—affectionately known as “kitchen parties”—springing up in kitchens as household entertainment. Join in this informal, lighthearted workshop as musicians Taylor Morris and Eli Bender teach some fun folk songs and dances.
French-Canadian Music Performance 1:15–2:00 p.m. Experience both traditional and contemporary string band music of the Quebecois at MIM. Comprised of musicians residing in California and Arizona, For Old Times’ Sake brings thirty years of dance-band experience to the stage for a journey into the rich folk traditions of French-speaking Canada.
Curator Talk: “Musical Mosaic—The Richness of Canadian Culture” 2:15–3:00 p.m. Canada’s musical history encompasses indigenous and international traditions alike, and the country has produced world-renowned performers and instrument makers. Join curator for the United States / Canada and Europe Richard Walter, PhD, for a survey of diverse genres, cultural influences, and recent acquisitions on display in MIM’s galleries, including dramatic highlights from First Nations artists in the Pacific Northwest.
Canadian Fiddle and Cello Performance 3:15–4:00 p.m. American-Canadian cellist Eli Bender and local fiddler Taylor Morris aim to draw upon their eclectic strengths and skills to create innovative arrangements of Canada’s fiddle repertoire. Come hear Eli and Taylor for a toe-tapping, fiddle-infused, maple-scented good time as they honor this rousing folk music tradition from the Great White North.
Consulate General of Canada Los Angeles
Canadian Club of the West Valley
Great Canadian Picnic
Phoenix Sister Cities Calgary Committee