The Musical Instrument Museum by Marion Ekholm

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Phoenix has numerous museums, but one of my favorites, as well as my granddaughters', is being featured in the 10 Best Readers’ Awards - MIM, the Musical Instrument Museum. This unique museum has musical instruments from around the world, many from famous artists such as the rock star Alice Cooper, who has a home in Phoenix.
 

 
 We always go up the escalator after getting our earphones, turn to our right and go into Africa. There we see instruments on display in front of videos of people playing similar instruments. The earphone equipment picks up what’s on the video and often there’s more than one. Maps above the display show where these people and their instruments, often primitive and handmade, are from.

After Africa we travel from one continent to another. There’s history of the change in instruments as well as examples of how they are made. You can get a taste with a little amount of time spent at a display or sit and experience the ambiance to the fullest. There’s also a music theater with spacious seating and exceptional acoustics that hosts artist from around the world.

By the time we get to the United States and Europe, the girls are tired, want to leave the displays and go down to the Experience Gallery located on the first floor. This definitely is their favorite part of the museum. The room is filled with all different types of instruments they can play to their heart’s content. How many museums have you been to where you’ve spent five hours with your children and had to drag them away?

The last time I went, my daughter joined us, so I was able to leave the girls playing drums, guitars and bells while I explored the new exhibits in the United States section that included Jazz and 100 years of Arizona music. Several more, including Blues, were in the process of completion.

If  you plan to be in Phoenix, consider The MIM as a special treat. You can find all their information on their web site, www.themim.org  Also, check out the 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards and see if one of your favorite museums is up for selection as the best. This lists more than a dozen museums across the country that are particularly suitable for families with children. Voting must be done by noon on February 17. Their web site is  www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-museum-for-families/


 

Comments

  1. rozdennyfoxFebruary 11, 2014 at 7:07 AM

    Marion, how cool is that? I'll have to see if I can get up there one of these days. Thanks for the heads up.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 4:39 PM

      Let me know when you come, and we can go together.

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    2. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 5:01 PM

      Another point I should have made, One person can get in free if you have a Bank of America debit or credit card. Must be used on the first full weekend of the month. You can go to their web site for more information.

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  2. Karen RockFebruary 11, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    I would love to visit that museum. What an enriching experience for children and adults!

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    1. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 4:40 PM

      It's one of a kind. Each time I go I find something new.

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  3. MelCurtisFebruary 11, 2014 at 8:11 AM

    Thanks for sharing your love of music!

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  4. Muriel JFebruary 11, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    Marion - would love to visit there and see the African display. As a teenager, I was greatly affected by hearing the Congo Mass. Our western liturgy and music is very formal and - for me - didn't have the heart of that wonderful music from the Congo filled with drums! It made me think outside myself and feel the passion and devotion of those people so far away. Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 4:48 PM

      There is so much diversity throughout Africa. The different countries or regions share some things and are totally different in others. I think we enjoy going there first because of the variety.

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  5. Angela AdamsFebruary 11, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    Thanks for the list. I've been to several of the museums on the "10 best" list...They're all wonderful! Thanks for the post.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 5:03 PM

      I've also gone to several from New York. Another museum my granddaughters really enjoy is anything dealing with science.

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  6. Amy VastineFebruary 11, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    That sounds really cool! Thanks for sharing :)

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  7. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 4:44 PM

    It is. Just talking about it has me wanting to take another trip there.

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  8. UnknownFebruary 11, 2014 at 5:09 PM

    After reviewing the web site and writing the blog, I'm ready to go back.

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