This event is also occurring on Saturday, May 5.
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Come to MIM to experience Chinese culture through live musical performances, crafts, talks, workshops, and more. This event marks the final weekend of our special exhibition Ancient Musical Treasures from Central China: Harmony of the Ancients from the Henan Museum, so don’t miss it!
Sponsored by APS Supported by Phoenix Chinese Week Special exhibition presented by the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation
Gifts Available for Purchase 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Shop the Museum Store for a wonderful selection of books about Chinese culture, CDs, and exclusively designed gifts commemorating Ancient Musical Treasures from Central China.
Pellet Drum Craft-Making Activity 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Enjoy making a popular Chinese musical instrument and children’s toy: the bolanggu (translates to “rattle drum”). This whimsical instrument is played by twirling the drum around in your hands. Build and decorate your own and then try your hand at spinning this fun pellet drum.
Photo Booth 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Have your picture taken with costumes and props at MIM’s custom photo booth, and instantly get your own copy to take home.
Spotlight: Chinese Lion Dance 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Bring good luck and fortune to your day by trying on pieces from a Chinese lion dance costume. Performed during the Chinese New Year and other traditional Chinese cultural and religious celebrations, dancers pair up to execute exciting acrobatic routines accompanied by drums, cymbals, and gongs to accentuate their movements.
Erhu and Pipa Performance 10:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m. Enjoy a performance of two Chinese string instruments by ASU international graduate students Liu Xingyan and Yang Donghe. The erhu is a two-stringed fiddle played with a bow, and the pipa is a lute played by using fingers to pluck and strum the strings. Come hear the peaceful harmony created when these traditional strings resonate together.
Drop-in Calligraphy Workshops 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., and 1:15–2:15 p.m. Learn about the art of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy and try it for yourself. Local artist Miranda Wong will demonstrate these painting styles and guide guests in creating their very own works of art.
Chinese Lunch Menu Available for Purchase 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Enjoy a special menu highlighting flavors of China, including dishes such as five-spiced chicken, Shanghai-inspired noodles, and egg custard tarts.
Sizhu Ensemble Performance 12:30–1:15 p.m. Sizhu, which translates to “silk and bamboo,” is used to describe a traditional Chinese ensemble made up of mellow-sounding string and wind instruments. The Purple Bamboo Ensemble from the University of Arizona shares traditional sizhu music with MIM as well as contemporary Chinese chamber music. Be sure to come hear the harmonious sounds of many traditional Chinese instruments.
Curator Talk: “Harmonizing with the Present – Connecting Ancient Musical Treasures to Today” 2:15–3:00 p.m. Join MIM curator Colin Pearson for an engaging talk highlighting the instruments featured in MIM’s exclusive Ancient Musical Treasures exhibition, and how they relate to the vibrant music of Asia and the Middle East in the present day. Guests will enjoy video examples and discover echoes of ancient China in MIM’s Geo-Galleries.
Traditional Chinese String and Wind Performance 3:15–4:00 p.m. Wang Hong is an internationally touring multi-instrumentalist who brings the traditional sounds of Chinese instruments with him everywhere he goes. Wang, in collaboration with Lily Cen, will present a program showcasing a variety of string and wind instruments from China, many of which are related to the instruments in MIM’s Asia Gallery.
