Grandparents on the Go!

Unique in All The World, and right around the corner

Musical Instrument Museum
By: Cathy Droz and Cathy Burford (Cathysquared)
AAA Article
May 2010

Perhaps taking your grandchildren around the world in 90-days might be a lifelong dream of yours. However, if you don’t have the time or the 401K to do so, we believe we’ve found an alternative right here in Phoenix, at least from a musical perspective.

Rising from the desert on a 20-acre property at the corner of Tatum and Mayo Boulevards is a stunning 190,000 square foot building in which you can tour the world with your grandchildren via the universal language that binds us all together. Here everyone comes away knowing that ‘Music is the Language of the Soul’. Visitors will get up-close and personal with over 10,000 instruments and objects from around the globe. We are talking about MIM, The Musical Instrument Museum.

This museum has something for every age group. Children as young as three can see, listen, touch and feel instruments, experience various live theater performances and listen to famous artists on stage. The Geo Galleries showcase instruments by regions of the world, including audio and video. Each Geo Gallery has its own curator, placing the MIM on the level of European museums. The artist gallery has video concert footage, photos, and costumes.

The Experience Gallery affords hands on playing of instruments including drums, harps, guitars, and an enormous gong. Our 4 and 5-year-old grandchildren spent close to an hour there, sharing instruments and starting their own GEO band. What a rare opportunity for your grandchildren to experience the joy of making music, without the ‘don’t touch’ admonishments. The children are encouraged to experience and learn about the origins of the musical instruments, and the people in each country. The Geo Galleries’ videos in each display show native artists playing the instruments that are in front of you. Our grandchildren were mesmerized by them.

We had lunch in the MIM café and coffee shop, perused the museum store, conservation lab, checked out the 299 seat theatre which hosts live artists from around the world in a venue with state of the art acoustics.

There is an education team at MIM that seeks to inspire learners of all ages and abilities by offering a wide range of educational programs. Check out their museum tours, artist residency programs, lectures, classes for adults, and workshops for children.There is even a Family Center for infants and parents to rest with books and toys for all ages.

Our grandchildren didn’t want to leave; they kept wanting to go from one room to the next asking about instruments and costumes from all over the world. Jack, the 4-year old, was fascinated with the Theremin in the Experience Gallery, a type of instrument that was invented in 1919. It is the first electronic instrument controlled without contact. Just stand close, wave your hands and voila’, music! Five-year old Jayden loved the pink Daisy Rock guitar and the Arpa Harp from Paraguay.

We feel there is no need to travel around the world, or even get a passport, simply check out MIM this summer…
Admission

Adults
Seniors 65+
Youth 6-17
Under 6 $15
$13
$10
FREE

4725 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85050 | (480) 478-6000 | www.themim.org

Cathy Droz and Cathy Burford are writers, businesswomen and grandparents who love to share what this world has to offer with their seven grandchildren combined. Whether on a train to the Grand Canyon, or a cooking class at a friend’s home, their motto is: Intergenerational Fun. For more go to www.twofortheroadusa.com click on Grandparents on the go.

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