Target Free Family Saturday

Don't miss this opportunity to make some noise! Spend the afternoon moving to the beat of the National Museum's special drum circle. Kids of all ages can make their very own percussion instrument and then join in the fun by trying their hand at playing drums from around the world.

FREE!

Also on this day...
Karaoke Ice Comes to the National Museum
a delicious pop culture mash-up
created by Nancy Nowacek, Katie Salen, and Marina Zurkow

Popsicles, Squirrels and Songs!

Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions presents KARAOKE ICE in LOS ANGELES, a mobile public art project that contributes to the unique expressions of Los Angeles street culture. Lucci, an ice cream truck-turned-mobile-karaoke-show, is deployed to local streets to activate communities through song. The artists believe this is a marriage of necessity; the ice cream truck needs a better soundtrack (one that reflects the interests of neighborhood), and karaoke singers need an audience. Karaoke Ice will debut on Labor Day Weekend, making its way through the spaces of metropolitan Los Angeles. To view a short documentary of Karaoke Ice in action, go to www.o-matic.com/isea/documentation/

2007 Target Free Family Saturdays
July 14 - Let's Go Fly a Kite!
September 8 - Shake, Rattle, and Bang!
November 10 - Flower Power!

Learn how to browse and contribute to Nikkei Album, an exciting and versatile online tool on the National Museum's award-winning DiscoverNikkei.org web site. Nikkei and others from around the world share personal family stories, community histories, lesson plans, and more through photos, text, audio, and video. Free with National Museum admission. Reservations are required; space is limited. For information and reservations, e-mail editor@DiscoverNikkei.org.

Made possible by the generous support of The Nippon Foundation.

Developed by members of the Akio Morita family, this exhibition commemorates the remarkable life and achievements of Mr. Akio Morita (1921-1999), co-founder of Sony Corporation.

In conjunction with the exhibition Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden, the National Museum presents a four-part series of gardening demonstrations led by horticultural experts.

PART 4
Horticultural consultant and LA Times garden writer Lili Singer shows you how you can improve your green thumb -- even in small spaces -- through container gardening. Single demonstration price: $8 National Museum members, $10 non-members. Series price: $25 National Museum members, $35 non-members. Includes Museum admission. Reservations strongly recommended.

Made possible, in part, by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles and The Boeing Company.

Four-Part Gardening Demonstration Series
July 28 - The Herbal and Healing Garden
August 11 - An Introduction to the Art of Bonsai
August 26 - Water in the Japanese Garden
September 9 - Urban Gardens for Small Spaces: A Container Gardening Demonstration

Our summer concert series closes with a fandango jarocho featuring Celso Duarte and Sonex. Best known for his stunning work with Lila Downs, virtuoso harpist and multi-instrumentalist, Celso Duarte, simply dazzles. The Los Angeles Times calls Sonex a vibrant testimony to the wealth of talent among Mexico's emerging artists. Both are gaining a well-deserved reputation for invigorating son jarocho with their infectious rhythms and dynamic lyrics.

FREE!

Made possible, in part, by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; the James Irvine Foundation, and the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy. Media sponsors KPFK 90.7 FM and "Los Angeles Downtown News."

2007 1st & Central Summer Concerts schedule
June 28 - Prelude: Enzo Avitabile and Bottari
July 12 - Southern California Ukelele Showcase
July 26 - San Jose Taiko
August 2 - Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca
August 9 - For Alice with Love: Celebrating the Music of Alice Coltrane
September 13 - Celso Duarte and Sonex

Over a generation, sushi in the United States has gone from the unknown to ubiquitous, but even aficionados will be surprised at the true history and complex economics behind their favorite food. The Sushi Economy jumps from Mediterranean docks to the multimillion-dollar tuna auctions of Japanese fish markets, and from the shopping streets of Shanghai to the cargo holds of intercontinental jumbo jets -- all while making a surprising case against eating local. Sushi tasting and book signing to follow. Free with Museum admission.

This book will be available from the Museum Store Online in September.

Create beautiful cards for those special people in your life that can be shared on birthdays, holidays, or just because. $8 for National Museum members, $13 for non-members. Includes supplies and Museum admission. Reservations recommended.

Made possible, in part, by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

Cory Shiozaki explores the history of Manzanar inmates who turned to trout fishing to escape the hardships of incarceration. The filmmaker suggests that through fishing inmates found a much sought-after feeling of freedom, however brief, as they matched wits with the wily trout of the famed Eastern Sierra fishing grounds. Shiozaki will share stories of "escaping" at night from camp, highlight Manzanar's well-known fishermen, and share examples of fishing tackle used in camp.

Made possible, in part, by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

Curated by radio host and music producer, Sergio Mielniczenko, this concert celebrates the spirit of tropicalismo, the socially conscious, sonically powerful art movement that arose in Brazil during the 1960s. The evening features stirring beat grooves, beautiful visual projections, and a stellar line up that includes renowned percussionist, Airto Moreira, singer Carla Hassett, and pianist Bill Brendle. Special guest appearance by acclaimed vocalist, Flora Purim. Tickets $10. Advanced purchase recommended by calling 213.625.0414.

Made possible, in part, by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

California Japanese-style Gardens: Tradition and Practice
September 28-30

Organized by the Garden Conservancy and the Los Angeles Conservancy, this three-day conference features lectures covering a range of topics about landscaping and gardening, plus tours of Southern California gardens. For more information or to register visit www.cglhs.org, e-mail conference@cglhs.org or call 323.462.2443.

Relive history and learn about present-day Little Tokyo with National Museum docents on this historic walking tour. $8 for National Museum members and $13 for non-members, includes Museum admission. Reservations along with comfortable walking shoes and clothes are recommended. Weather permitting.