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Sunday, June 24 12:00 noon–5 p.m.
Celebrate the new exhibition, Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, and Mermaids, with an afternoon of free programming for the whole family:
Mythic Stories and Tales
12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Join Dr. Nebula's apprentice, Scooter, as she explores mythic stories and tall tales of magical creatures from ancient times. In this whimsical theatrical experience, the audience will become the storyteller and the inspiration for our enchanting fairytale folklore.
This program is made possible, in part, by an anonymous donor.
Curators' Lecture: Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Linder Theater, first floor
Join co-curators Laurel Kendal, AMNH Anthropology, and Richard Ellis, AMNH Research Associate, as they discuss the research that led to the new exhibition, Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids.
Followed by performances in the first floor, Kaufmann Theater:
2:00 p.m.: Gamelan Dharma Swara perform the exciting dance-drama of the Barong, a mythical and sacred Balinese dragon. Young barong dancer Putu Khrisna Saptanyana does a one-person Barong in mask-costume (courtesy of Lynn Kremer, College of the Holy Cross).
3:00 p.m. La Troupe Makandal
4:00 p.m.: Chinese Theatre Works presents "Stealing the Heavenly Peaches," an excerpt from the Peking Opera classic Journey to the West, featuring two of the most famous mythical creatures from the Chinese tradition — the Dragon King and the Monkey King. In this story, the Dragon King appears as the guardian of the gates of heaven, and as an antagonist to the trickster-figure Monkey King. The two battle to decide whether Monkey King will be able to return to earth or have to face the consequences of his misdeeds.
Between performances: Dragon and unicorn parade in the Museum by the martial arts group Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute.
Artist demonstrations/workshops for the entire family:
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Hall of Ocean Life, first floor:
Takeshi Yamada, award-winning artist and visual anthropologist, will be demonstrating the intricate process he uses to create his amazing, one-of-a-kind "gaffs." His unique objects carry on the 19th century tradition exemplified by the "Cabinet of Curiosity" where oddities of the natural world were displayed and marveled over. To date, he has sculpted over 250 "gaffs," including vampire bats, Fiji mermaids and hairy trout.
Face painting — Chinese Theatre Works, 1–3:30 p.m.
Miniature Chinese dragon dance puppet workshop — Chinese Theatre Works, 1–3:30 p.m.
Wayang puppet workshop — Gamelan Dharma Swara, 3–5 p.m.
Mythic shadow puppet creatures — Kim McCormack
Haitian mythic bottle painting — Pierre Kesler
Vejigantes stories from Puerto Rico — George Zavala
African mythic art — Sandra Bell
Between performances: Dragon and unicorn parade in the Museum by the martial arts group Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute.
Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids – An enchanting exhibition that traces the cultural and natural history roots of some of the world's most enduring mythological creatures.
Opens May 26, 2007.
