Experience Central Africa

Experience diverse music and dance traditions of Central Africa with live performances, curator talks, and other family-friendly activities.

To support social distancing, we are limiting the number of guests at each activity. Participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday

Craft | Thumb Piano
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Create your own thumb piano! Stop by and pick up a free craft kit to assemble at MIM or at home.

Photo Booth
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken with our hands-free photo booth and digitally share your pictures instantly! Tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.

Sounds of Central Africa Performance
10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
MIM Music Theater
Experience a unique musical demonstration with Ugandan multi-instrumentalist Giovanni Kiyingi as he shares how instruments such as the African harp, fiddle, and thumb piano transcend Central African borders and are defined by the communities who adopt them.

Pop-Up Performance: Angolan Dance
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
North El Río
Join Antonio Medina and Julia Nitescu of Kizomba Phoenix as they present the Angolan dance-à-deux styles and rhythms of semba, kizomba, and rebita.

Congo Masks and Music Mini Gallery Talk
2:15 and 2:45 p.m.
Target Gallery
Included with special exhibition admission only
Explore the music and art of the Congo with Katie Palmer, DMA, curator of education, in this brief insider’s look at the curation of the exhibition’s rare and special collection of masks and musical instruments.

Sunday

Craft | Thumb Piano
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Create your own thumb piano! Stop by and pick up a free craft kit to assemble at MIM or at home.

Photo Booth
9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken with our hands-free photo booth and digitally share your pictures instantly! Tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.

Pop-Up Performance: Angolan Dance
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
North El Río
Join Antonio Medina and Julia Nitescu of Kizomba Phoenix as they present the Angolan dance-à-deux styles and rhythms of semba, kizomba, and rebita.

Sounds of Central Africa Performance
12:30 p.m.
MIM Music Theater
Experience a unique musical demonstration with Ugandan multi-instrumentalist Giovanni Kiyingi as he shares how instruments such as the African harp, fiddle, and thumb piano transcend Central African borders and are defined by the communities who adopt them.

Congo Masks and Music Mini Gallery Talk
2:15 and 2:45 p.m.
Target Gallery
Included with special exhibition admission only
Explore the music and art of the Congo with Katie Palmer, DMA, curator of education, in this brief insider’s look at the curation of the exhibition’s rare and special collection of masks and musical instruments.

Programming is subject to change.

Shop and Save at the Museum Store

All weekend, save 20% on most items in-store and online, including books, CDs, and gifts celebrating the music and cultures of Central Africa.

Proceeds from your purchase benefit MIM and its programs.