Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/57242
BY PATRICIA ANN JORDAN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM PLUS UTAH'S NATURAL HISTORY showcasing the artistry, diversity, and move- ment of musical instruments from around the world. They can venture into different regions of the world to discover the com- plete orchestra of a Chinese opera, a big- band jazz ensemble,or all the instruments of a mariachi band. G uests are introduced to Phoenix's Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) through the Orientation Gallery hurdy-gurdyman on these screens let's you experience the instruments almost as if firsthand. Signagewith information about the instruments, alongwithmaps for orientation, allows guests to tour themany displays of each country in the world. Nearly three hundred exhibits are spaced to provide comfortable viewing and an uninterrupted wireless signal. The collection contains instruments fromaround 200 countries and territories in theworld.Some larger countries such as India,China,Russia, theUnited States, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and others have multiple displays with subsections for different types of ethnic, folk, and tribal music. The instruments have both historic and artistic merit.Many are more than 50 years old. MIM's MIM offers a shared experience of the history of musical instruments throughout theworld.The space is bright and open,pro- viding guests with a warm and comfortable environment. Wireless"hot spots"aroundMIMprovide loops of streamedmusic, immersing guests in the sounds of musical instruments through- out the museum.Wearing wireless headsets, as they approach each display, they can hear the instruments being played, either solo or as an ensemble. Audio and high resolution video clips familiarize the unique sounds of eachmusical culture, allowing a shared com- mon experience. Watching a Japanese taiko drummer or a 10 goal is to acquire instruments that have been used for folk and tribal occasions. MIM offers workshops. A Balinese GamelanWorkshop began December 17th and will continue until February 18th, 2012, every 3rd Saturday. Led by curatorial assistant Colin Pearson, these workshops include an introduction to Balinese culture and music, and experience playing authentic Balinese instru- ments.Musicians and non-musicians will enjoy this unique musical experience. Each workshop is an introductory class but participants are welcome to register for more than one session. MIM is located at 4725 E.Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix,Arizona. Call: (480) 478-6000 or visit www.themim.org. It seems like a logical concept for a natural history museum to actually look like the natural environment that it's showcasing, but traditionally, these muse- ums have been designed to be attention-grabbing, awe-inspiring and, for the most part, distinctly different than their surroundings. The NaturalHistoryMuseumofUtah put the "natural" back in "natural his- torymuseum"when it opened its brand newRioTintoCenter onNovember 18. Black Meetings & Tourism January/February 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com