Trenton, NJ – The holidays are over and it may be cold outside but there’s plenty for families to do at the New Jersey State Museum (NJSM) this season. With NJSM’s Family Fun Days, children and their families can take a trip across the country and around the world! One Saturday each month, Young Audiences New Jersey professional performing artists will arrive at NJSM to perform. Catch riveting Ugandan folklore and music with Ssuuna, mesmerizing puppetry from Catskill Puppet Theatre, powerful Japanese drumming with Taikoza, funky, cool storytelling with the acclaimed David Gonzalez, and more during this wonderful and free series of performances.
PAT CANNON’S FOOT & FIDDLE DANCE COMPANY will kick off the series on January 26th at 1:00 PM in the Museum’s auditorium. In a show that has been described as an American Riverdance, Foot & Fiddle Dance Company offers audiences a dazzling blend of American dance traditions while exploring the roots of these traditions through dances styles including Irish Step, African Gumboot, English Sword, and Appalachian Clog Dancing. “A witty, warm-spirited creative mix of American folk and Broadway pizzazz,” says The New York Times. Audience members learn to sing, dance, and do the hambone. Accompanied by a fiddler, the company leaves its audience with a rich understanding of American folk dances and their European, African, and Native American roots.
A great way for children of all ages and the adults in their lives—parents, grandparents, relatives—to share a fun afternoon outside the house, performances generally begin at 1:00 PM (check the schedule to confirm the time of your show) and are free of charge. Bring the whole family! Please note that children must be accompanied by adults. Admission is free and free parking is available in the lot behind the State House at the Capitol Complex.
Family Fun Days is a program Friends of The New Jersey State Museum in partnership with Young Audiences New Jersey. For further informatio call Young Audiences at (609) 243-9000, ext. 219. More information can be found by visiting The New Jersey State Museum online at www.newjerseystatemuseum.org or by calling (609) 292-6310.
Founded in 1973, Young Audiences New Jersey (YANJ) is the premier arts-in-education resource in the state, providing high-quality performances and artist-in-residence programs to 420,000 children pre-kindergarten through 12th grade annually. Each year, thousands of teachers and hundreds of artists enliven their performances and enrich their curriculums through YANJ's professional development. YANJ's extensive professional artist roster represents all art forms-from dance and theater to music, language and visual arts. Its programs are accessible to all socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, and geographic communities, and are designed to strengthen the arts in schools, meet local and state curriculum standards, involve families in arts activities, and enrich cultural life in New Jersey's communities. YANJ is the first arts education organization designated as a major service organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and, as part of the national network of Young Audiences, Inc. was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. Projects like this and the 4,000 programs provided annually by YANJ are made possible in part through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State and funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit http://www.yanj.org.
The Friends of the New Jersey State Museum was founded in 1968 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to support the Museum’s collections, exhibitions and programs through fundraising, volunteerism and advocacy. Friends Members are involved in a variety of activities and comprise the core docent group for the Museum. The Friends also operate a gift shop with merchandise related to the Museum’s exhibitions and New Jersey history and culture. Proceeds from the gift shop support the publications of the New Jersey State Museum. For forty years the Friends and the Museum have shared a wonderfully successful partnership. The Friends are honored to be a collaborator with the Museum and Young Audiences New Jersey and we look forward to another forty years of service to the Museum.
FAMILY FUN DAY CALENDAR
(PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR ALL ARTISTS BY REQUEST)
January 26, 1 pm
Pat Cannon’s Foot & Fiddle Company: American Footsteps
“A witty, warm-spirited creative mix of American folk and Broadway pizzazz,” says The New York Times. Students learn to sing, dance, and do the hambone. Accompanied by a fiddler, the company leaves its audience with a rich understanding of American folk dances and their European, African, and Native American roots.
February 9, 1pm
Ssuuna:Eda Ne Kakati (From the Past to the Present)
Ssuuna is a dancer, a drummer, a singer AND a storyteller! He takes young students on a cultural voyage to Uganda. Combining humor, high energy and a great big heart, Ssuuna gives his audience opportunities to dance and play instruments as well as learn about Ugandan culture.
February 23, 1pm
Dance China New York: China Patterns
This participatory introduction to Chinese culture, customs, and dance has spectacular athleticism one moment, pure delicacy and precision the next. It features thrilling sword dances, joyful folk pieces, and dances deeply rooted in the royal court and theatre ritual. The performance climaxes with the rousing "Red Ribbon Dance"—a regular feature of Chinese national holidays and celebrations.
March 15, 1pm
Mary Knysh: Land of the Leprechaun
Explore the myth and magic of everyday life, reflected in the spirit of Ireland! Mary presents a sprightly collection of stories, melodic ballads, pennywhistle tunes, and jigs performed on pennywhistle, bodran, guitar, mandolin, Irish harp, and other traditional instruments. Guaranteed to set your feet a-dancin'--and your heart a-wishin' on a rainbow!
March 30, 1-5pm
Young Audiences presents the Family Arts Festival
This wonderful afternoon of creative expression and quality time for children and their loved ones offers a whole world of fun. With a variety of arts activities happening at the same time, children and their families can pick and choose which activities to roll up their sleeves and dig into. Children (and adults!) will work alongside professional artists, exploring different cultures through their arts. The Family Arts Festival includes art-making workshops and performances, and will feature the clever wordsmithing of Mayhem Poets and the extraordinary musicians of Spirit Ensemble.
April 5, 1pm
Catskill Puppet Theatre: Ivan and the Icewolf
This is the story of a lovable Russian peasant who is always wishing for things he doesn't have. Baba Yaga sends him on a quest to the North to find his wishes and he is guided across the Siberian ice-fields by a magic wolf. Little does Ivan know, but the ice-wolf has been put under a spell and only under the shimmering lights of the Aurora can she transform into her true shape—the beautiful daughter of Tsar Nikolas of the North! This musical show is based on Russian folklore, and features large rod puppets and lots of beautiful scenic and lighting effects. The story is enchanting and teaches the lesson that those who wish for wealth may already be rich in ways they don't realize.
April 24, performances at 11am and 1pm
(There is a 2$ per person admission fee to these shows)
Young Audiences presents TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY (Thursday)
RockRoots: A History of American Pop Music
From rockabilly to rap, RockRoots uses song to trace the evolution of American pop music and rock ’n roll. These four talented musicians take students on a historical, political, and geographical journey through one of the most influential and celebrated musical forms in the world. Along the way, the band members demonstrate each instrument, and explain how it evolved and works with the others. Children learn that they can make music just for the sheer enjoyment it affords!
April 26, 1pm
Taikoza: Japanese Festival Drums
Power, Grace, Pulse, and Driving Rhythm. This electrifying aural and visual display consists of three drummers and a dancer. The huge taiko drums (“big drums”) were originally used in Japan to drive away evil spirits and the plague—today they keep audiences glued to their seats. Taikoza draws from Japan’s rich tradition of musical performance to create a new sound using a variety of instruments. The combination of drums, shakuhachi and fue (both bamboo flutes), and the koto (a 13-string instrument) is a rare and unforgettable treat for American ears.
May 3, 11am
Catskill Puppet Theatre: Hiawatha
Using full sets, exquisitely crafted puppets and accompanied by Native American flute and drum, this enchanting play is based on the life of the great Iroquois hero, Hiawatha. Hiawatha is portrayed as a curious young boy who decides to disobey his grandmother and seek a vision, alone, in the forest. There he finds a sacred cave and enters a magical world full of talking animals and fantastic spirits! He meets a wise Mohawk, The Peacemaker, who teaches him a wonderful lesson. At last, with the help of his friends, Bear and Turtle, Hiawatha discovers the pathway he must follow to become a great man!
May 3, 1pm
Thunderbird American Indian Dancers: Yah-oh-Way
Yah-oh-Way, meaning “it is good” in Hopi, features dances of various Native American nations. Accompanied by song and drumming, the dancers don beautiful costumes and explain the meaning behind each movement. The audience is treated to the exciting and athletic Hoop Dance and participates in the Feather Dance, a traditional expression of thanks.
May 17 & 18 (time to be announced)
SUPER SCIENCE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Billy B: The Science Song & Dance Man
With catchy lyrics and memorable movements, Billy B. covers scientific themes in a way that children totally get. From themes including the Rainforest Chorus, the Rock-Knockin’ Native Americans, Greenhouse Rock and more, Billy B.’s engaging performances really do make learning fun! Billy B. plants seeds that will hopefully blossom into a lifelong appreciation and respect for nature.
June 21, 1pm
David Gonzalez: Cuentos
With colorful tales from the Caribbean, South America, Spain, and the Bronx, David paints a vivid picture of the people and rich cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. From the enchanting Puerto Rican magician Milomaki to the friendship between young Delgadina and a magical snake, these stories are filled with memorable characters, fantastic plots, and positive messages. Spanish words spice up the stories and songs so that children can repeat and retain their sound and meaning.
The New Jersey State Museum Auditorium galleries and Galleries at 225 West State Street, Trenton, NJ, are open Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:45pm, and Saturday 9am to 4 pm ,and are closed Sundays and State holidays.
The Auditorium galleries will be open to the public at 4 pm prior to each Sunday lecture. Admission is free. On weekends, free parking is available in parking lots adjacent to and behind the Museum.
For more information on the Museum, please call (609) 292-6464 or visit our website at www.newjerseystatemuseum.org. The New Jersey State Museum is a division of the NJ department of State.
