Family Fun Tuesdays

Family Fun Tuesdays is a weekly summer-long children's series that provides families with opportunities to experience a variety of art forms, learn about world cultures and experience new ideas together. The series presents all forms of art from storytelling and puppetry to music and dance in the intimate atmosphere of the Sculpture Garden.

Family Fun Tuesdays takes place Tuesday mornings from 10am - 11am. Visitors should walk from the main parking lot on the south side of Diffley Road through the pedestrian tunnel to the Sculpture Garden. Signs will be posted. Please call for handicap parking options.

Admission to these programs is free. Suggested donation: $2 per person. Your donation is greatly appreciated and helps to make Family Fun Tuesdays possible. Childcare and schools groups should call for space availability and fees.

Programs will only be canceled in the event of severe weather or if the artist is unable to perform. In case of rain, events will be held under a canopy. Check back for program updates or call 651.454.9412.

2009 Family Fun Tuesdays Schedule
All programs begin at 10am.
Visit the Event Calendar for our full calendar of events.

Soul of Russia: Story, Dance & Games
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
10:00am

From the Khorovod dance to the Roucheeyok game, Russian Soul will introduce you to the rich cultural and artistic heritage through Russian dance, storytelling and a fun assortment of games for all ages.

All-American Folktales
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
10:00am

Eagle thinks he’s a chicken, mouse barks and rabbit teaches the wolves a new dance, stories that are part of the oral tradition of American culture. Award winning children’s storyteller Mike Mann shares these and other hilarious tales from America’s historical melting pot.

The Adventures of Katie Tomatie” puppet show
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
10:00am

Open Eye Figure Theatre’s popular Driveway Tour returns with a unique puppet show that will have both children and adults laughing together. The Adventures of Katie Tomatie tells the story of a girl’s mission to have a “do nothin’ day” along with a cast of colorful characters including a tomato plant and a goofy talking skeleton.

Shakespeare’s Sword Play
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
10:00am

Explore the world of Elizabethan England and the characters of Shakespeare through the adventurers, rogues and heroes of his plays. Learn what these swordsmen of old knew and how they used their swords, rapiers and daggers. The stage of Elizabethan theatre was full of fights, duels and battles. See how the audience viewed these spectacles and how it teaches us about honor, glory and our ideas of heroes today. The Oakeshott Institute promotes the interest in ancient arms and armor through a safe, hands-on educational approach.

Arabic Caravan: Dancing through the Middle East
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
10:00am

Dancer Shari Jeziorski of Jaawahir Dance Company will take students on a magic carpet ride into the unique cultures that make up the Middle East. Through movement and music, she will share the rich heritage of Arabic music and dance with participants.

The Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
10:00am

Hardanger fiddler Karen Solgard combines participatory singing and Norwegian folk fiddle music and movement with the history, legends and sights of Norway. Children and families will learn and appreciate how Norway’s music and culture is connected to Minnesota’s own large Scandinavian-American population.

Latin American Dance and Culture
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
10:00am

Learn the basic steps of Salsa and Merengue dances in a fun and creative environment with dance instructor Jae Phillips. Jae's workshop will teach traditional Latin dance steps and show how Latin dance has recently evolved to integrate popular hip-hop moves.

Wayang Kulit: Shadow Puppets of Java, Indonesia
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
10:00am

Indonesian artist Joko Sutrisno will present a short story from Mahabarata through the Javanese art form of Wayang Kulit. Intricately carved and painted puppets cast stylized shadows of heroes and demons on a screen. Learn how the puppeteer brings the characters to life.

Dragons, Flutes and Monkeys: Ancient Chinese Folklore
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
10:00am

Take a tour of ancient Chinese culture with traditional instruments and folklore. Storyteller Rhonda Lund brings the dramatic characters to life through storytelling, while flutist Zhang Ying adds musical accompaniment with bamboo, clay, and bone flutes. Listen to the unique sounds of the di bamboo flute and the xun, a clay egg-shaped flute first played 6,000 years ago. Be entertained by stories of a boy who meets a friendly dragon, and the Monkey King, a magical super hero from the Ming Dynasty.

Two Truths and a Tall Tale plus Story Stick Art
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
10:00am

Celebrate the art of storytelling with the WonderWeavers Storytellers. This tandem storytelling team will bring tales to life filled with wonder and delight for all ages. The audience will be invited to tell two truths and a tall tale in a guessing game that will be fun for the whole family. Families will also decorate story sticks to take home after learning some fun activities to share.

Jump, Sing and Explore: Discovering the Natural World
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
10:00am

Birds tweet and bees buzz. Nature sounds are musical. Join MacPhail Center for Music’s early childhood music specialists in exploring some of nature’s sounds through hands-on musical activities. Children will experience nature through songs, rhymes, movement, literature, instrument exploration and visual art. We will swim like a fish, jump like a frog, sing like a bird, explore nature sounds through instrument exploration and create!

Making Music with Nature
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
10:00am

Explore the natural world with Zeitgeist and the music of visionary composer John Cage! Together, we’ll create sublime music from materials provided by nature – sticks, stones, leaves, and more – the rest is up to your musical imagination! Find music in nature and nature in music – perfect harmony!

European Holiday: Folk Dances of Past and Present
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
10:00am

Join dance instructor Christopher Yaeger of C Street Dance in a celebration of folk dances from Europe, past and present. Easy to learn traditional dances combined with current hits will make this event enjoyable for families and children of all ages.

Family Fun Tuesdays Producing Sponsors:

Spire Federal Credit Union & New Horizon Academy

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