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Summer Wonder 2009 programs, free with museum admission donation, run Wednesday mornings for eight weeks, June 24th through August 12th, from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Pre-registration is required for groups of 10 or more.
The 2009 schedule follows:
June 24: Animals with Bad Reputations, presented by an Academy of Natural Sciences’ “Academy on Wheels” teacher, opens the Summer Wonder series, with a live animal program about animal myths and misconceptions.
July 1: Rhythms and Roots Latin music ensemble uses music as a vehicle for providing an entertaining, festive, and educational experience. The group performs a variety of Latin music styles including salsa, meringue, cumbia, and cha-cha-cha in a high energy and interactive performance.
July 8: Duet Productions presents Finding King Tut. The audience is invited on a journey along with British archaeologist Howard Carter as he follows the clues that lead him to the tomb of King Tut. This 50-minute, two-actor theatrical production is done with a lively sense of humor, fast-paced action and lightning-quick costume changes.
July 15: Aravod Ensemble A duet from this internationally acclaimed band offers a program of traditional Armenian and Middle Eastern folk music. The ensemble's members view their music as a form of cultural preservation. They educate and entertain the audience while performing Armenian and Middle Eastern songs in the most authentic and accurate manner possible. This program is co-sponsored by The Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
July 22: Kulu Mele African American Dance Ensemble blends West African ancestral traditions and African American hip-hop and cha-cha rhythms into a vibrant and exciting performance. The group is actively committed to keeping African cultural traditions alive through education and dance performances. This program is co-sponsored by The African Studies Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
July 29: Kyo Daiko Drummers offer a high energy and dynamic Japanese taiko drumming experience. For centuries taiko drums have been used for social gatherings, leading troops on the battlefield and entertaining Japanese royalty. This local Philadelphia ensemble uses a variety of traditional taiko drums to educate and excite the audience about the rich tradition of taiko drumming. This program is co-sponsored by The Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
August 5: Lenape Storytelling and Dance Learn about the Lenape people, a Native American group from the Philadelphia region, through traditional stories, language and dance presented by Shelley DePaul, the educational coordinator for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, and co-curator of the Penn Museum exhibition, “Fulfilling a Prophecy: The Past and Present of the Lenape of Pennsylvania.”
August 12: Martial Arts Demonstration The art of the samurai sword, called kenjutsu, and other martial arts forms, are demonstrated by the Four Winds Martial Arts School from Havertown, Pennsylvania.
Following each Summer Wonder 2009 presentation, children and their families are invited to explore the Penn Museum’s three floors of galleries including artifacts from Egypt, Asia, the Mediterranean, the Near East, Mesoamerica, North America, Polynesia and Africa.
The Museum Cafe and Museum Shops are also participating in the Summer Wonder 2009 program. The Museum Cafe, open 8 am to 3:30 pm, features a variety of kid-friendly foods on Summer Wonder presentation days, and a bright atmosphere to have lunch or just a snack after exploring the museum. In addition to the Museum Shops regular hours, the Pyramid Shop for children, featuring games, toys, books, crafts and jewelry geared to young visitors, opens Summer Wonder Wednesdays from 10 am to 3 pm. -- www.museum.upenn.edu
Posted June 17th, 2009 by ruzik_tuzik
