Explore new legendary musical instruments in Rediscover Treasures! Reserve your exhibition tickets ›
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
E komo mai! Join us at MIM for a day celebrating the music and culture of Hawaii with live musical performances as well as hula and ukulele workshops.
Supported by Arizona Aloha Festival
Programming supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
All activities are happening on Saturday and Sunday unless noted otherwise.
Flower Craft 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. South El Río Make your own orchid, hibiscus, or plumeria blossom to wear in your hair or to give to someone special.
Instrument Spotlight: ‘Ulī’Ulī and Ipu Heke 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Upper El Río Try your hand at two traditional Polynesian percussion instruments: the ‘ulī’ulī, a feathered gourd rattle; and the ipu heke, a double gourd percussion instrument. Each instrument is used to provide a steady beat and continuous rhythm for Hawaiian hula dancing. Create your own unique beats, then head to the Oceania Gallery to see more examples of these ancient instruments.
Photo Booth 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. El Río Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Curator Talk: Origins and Influence of Hawaiian Steel Guitar 10:30 a.m., Saturday Event Room 2 Join MIM curator Rich Walter for an overview of the steel guitar, one of the most distinctive sounds rooted in Hawaiian music and an instrument that has made an impact on many genres.
Curator Talk: Crossroads of the Pacific: Traditional Musical Instruments in Hawaii 10:30 a.m., Sunday Event Room 2 Join MIM curator Eddie Chia-Hao Hsu to explore the vibrancy of traditional musical instruments in Hawaii, looking at a variety of instruments and examples from MIM’s collection to illustrate the roots that Hawaiian instruments share with other Polynesian groups.
Gallery Mini Tours 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Upper El Río Join Junior Museum Guides (6th–12th graders) on a short and informative gallery tour focused on the Hawaii exhibits in Oceania and the United States.
Music-Making Workshop 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Event Room 2 Learn a new song on the ukulele with Junior Museum Guides in this fun, family-friendly musical activity.
Performance: Kaimikahu Hale O Hula 12:45 p.m., Saturday 3:15 p.m., Sunday North El Río Experience the beauty of Hawaiian dance. On Saturday, enjoy a hula `auana, the modern style of hula, which can be characterized by a shift from dancing to an oli (or chant) to dancing to a song in English or Hawaiian. On Sunday, enjoy a hula kahiko, the traditional style of hula, which precolonial Hawaiians would perform during rituals and celebrations.
Lecture/Demonstration: Makana 3:30 p.m., Saturday 12:30 p.m., Sunday North El Río Acclaimed slack-key guitarist, singer, and composer Makana explains and demonstrates the rich history and traditions of Hawaiian music.
Makana also performs at the MIM Music Theater at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. For concert tickets and details, click here.
Programming is subject to change.
Lunch at Café Allegro Offered daily 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Enjoy a menu of delicious global cuisine with fresh entrées, salads, soups, and grill items showcasing local produce and flavors from around the world.
Celebrate Music from Hawaii at the Museum Store Shop the Museum Store for a wonderful selection of Hawaiian music, books, gifts, and instruments, including everyone’s favorite—the ukulele. Proceeds from your purchase benefit MIM and its programs.
Makana Concert at the MIM Music Theater Sunday, May 15 | 7:00 p.m. $33.50–$44.50 An internationally acclaimed slack-key guitarist and singer whose music defies description
“A dynamic force . . . dazzling.”—New York Times
For concert tickets and details, click here.
