June 21, 2008
4:30–9:30 p.m.
FREE admission
FREE parking
The 2009 Solstice Celebration has been cancelled due to State of Arizona budget cuts. We hope to offer this popular program again in the future. If you have comments about the event please contact Lisa Falk. Please see our Events and Programs page for other activities at the museum.
Main Page | Performers & Presenters | Resources | Map & Directions
Schedule of Events
Performances
in front of museum entrance
| 4:30 | Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc (Aztec song and dance) |
| 5:15 | The Human Project (American Hip Hop dance) |
| 6:00 | Flamenco Sonora (Spanish music and dance) |
| 6:45 | Sankosa (African drumming and Caribbean stiltwalker) |
| 7:30 | Molehill Orkestrah (European Gypsy with world influences) |
| 8:15 | Fushicho Daiko (Japanese drumming) |
Grand Finale — on east lawn
| 9:00 | Rites Ov Spring, performed by Flam Chen with Seven Pipers Scottish Society |
This mythical enchanting piece includes fire performance, stilt acrobatics, and group choreography danced to thunderous Celtic pipes and drums.
Food
on the lawn by the street
Indian Food from KababeQue
Mexican and Tohono O’odham Food from La Indita
Pizza from Papa John’s
Treats from Trader Joe’s
Stop by to sample watermelon, get some icy cold water and other delicious treats.
Inside the Museum
Exhibitions, open until 8:45
Go on a Visual Treasure Hunt
Pick up a discovery hunt guide in the lobby, then embark on a journey of beauty and knowledge. Discover objects and traditions related to celebrations, crops and food preparation, weaving, ceramics, musical instruments and more. Return your completed discovery hunt guide for a prize.
The Pottery Project
Explore the art of the potter and the science of the archaeologist in ASM’s newest gallery. View pots covering 2,000 years of ceramic traditions in the Southwest. The Pottery Project includes a fully interactive, multi-media Virtual Vault; video interviews with archaeologists and Native potters, and hands-on experiences.
Set in Stone: 2000 Years of Gem and Mineral Trade in the Southwest
Become transported on a journey of deep historical resonance along routes that trace how the quest for mineral wealth has shaped the identity of the Southwest. Featured are 800 objects including Native American jewelry, mining tools, mineral samples, photographs, and audio recordings of interviews with miners.
Paths of Life: American Indians of the Southwest
Learn about the origins, history and contemporary cultures of southwestern indigenous peoples in an exciting mix of prehistoric artifacts, historic objects, commissioned artwork, video interviews, and life-cast dioramas.
Native Goods, open until 7:00
Shop in the museum store for unique cultural items and books.
Demonstrations & Activities
Film Screening, 2:30–3:45 — in the west gallery
The Mystery of Chaco Canyon, narrated by Robert Redford, explores the astronomical brilliance of the Anasazi people as revealed by the architecture at the famous New Mexico site. After the screening, discuss the issues and questions raised in the film with ASM archaeologist Rich Lange.
4:30–8:00 — In Pottery Project gallery
Native American Pottery Traditions with Arizona State Museum
On special view are ceramic vessels associated with the archaeological culture of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, circa A.D. 850-1150. Talk with ASM archaeologist Rich Lange about Chacoan ceramics and with ASM’s world-renowned pottery collection.
Build a Paper Pot with Arizona State Museum
With ASM’s collection of American Indian pottery as inspiration, make a 3-D paper pot and create your own rain designs.
Pot Puzzles with Arizona State Museum
Color a pot design based on those in ASM’s prehistoric prehistoric collection. Cut it up and make a puzzle. Then see if your friends can put it together.
4:30–8:00 — in west gallery
Centeotzintli: Sacred Maize with UA’s Mexican American Studies and Research Center
Explore the continuing relationship between people and maize in the Americas. Try your hand at grinding corn with a mano y metate.
Make a Colorful Flor de Papel (Paper Flower) with Josefina Lizárraga
Create a colorful traditional Mexican tissue paper flower.
Yaqui Traditions with Frances Delgado, Arizona State Museum, and Center for Latin American Studies
Look at cultural objects and talk with Frances Delgado (Yaqui) about Yaqui traditions. Play a game of musical instrument loteria, Colin Deeds of CLAS will show you how.
Saguaro Harvesting with Regina Siquieros and Arizona State Museum
Talk with Regina Squieros (Tohono O’odham) about saguaro harvesting traditions of the Tohono O’odham and with ASM assistant curator Andrew Higgins about related museum objects.
Ancient Farming in the Sonoran Desert with Arizona State Museum
See artifacts used by the ancient farmers of southern Arizona to grow and process the food they ate and the fibers they used for clothing. Talk with ASM curator Patrick Lyons about these early innovations.
Herbal Bouquets with Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford
Discover the pleasures of herbs. Make an herbal bouquet, taste a flavor, and play a musical instrument, all related to her award-winning children’s books.
Henna Art with Archana Agrawal
Learn about the cosmetic and medicinal uses of henna, a reddish paste made from the Hawsonia inermis shrub. Have a unique and beautiful design applied on your hand.
Storytelling Presentations — in west gallery
Yaqui Lifeways
5:30–6:00 Francis Delgado shares Yaqui lore and cultural objects. CANCELLED
Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford, Children’s Book Author
6:00–6:30 Rivera-Ashford reads from her books My Nana’s Remedies and Hip, Hip, Hooray, It’s Monsoon Day! Purchase a signed copy to take home.
Ha:san, T-We:nag (Ha:san, Our Sibling)
6:30–7:00 Regina Siquieros shares songs and stories about the saguaro cactus and Tohono O’odham lifeways.
Saguaro Harvesting Demonstration
7:00 Learn to use a kuipad to knock down bahidaj (saguaro fruit). Meet in the lobby to walk to Old Main
Outside
Activities & Demonstrations — front lawn, 4:30–8:00, stargazing until 9:00
Cultural Traditions
Discover Traditional Food Crops and Use a Mano y Metate with San Xavier Coop Farm and Arizona State Museum
Learn about native seed varieties and sustainable agriculture from the Tohono O’odham perspective. Try your hand at grinding corn using a traditional mano y metate.
Awaken Your Primitive “Earth” Skills with Ravens-Way Wild Journeys
Learn how to make fire-by-friction using a hand drill and fire plow, dabble in mineral (natural) paints, make rope, learn how deer hides are processed into buckskin and add your special touch to a mural.
Record your History with Arizona State Museum
For generations the O’odham have recorded important events on calendar sticks. Create your own personal calendar stick.
Twist and Tie with Old Pueblo Archaeology Center
Use raffia and beads to fashion a twined cordage bracelet like ones made throughout time.
Cool Treats with Arizona History Museum
Take a turn at an old-fashioned crank ice cream maker to create a delicious treat. Design a patchwork square for our Solstice Quilt and enjoy its stories.
Dress Frida Kahlo for the Celebration with Arizona State Museum
Color images of traditional Mexican costumes from ASM’s collections, design some yourself, then dress your own Frida Kahlo paper doll.
Play an Apache or O’odham Game of Chance with Arizona State Museum
Enjoy centuries-old Native American games—see how the saguaro ribs fall to determine your luck.
Register To Vote with the League of Women Voters
This election let your voice be heard! Register to vote with this non-partisan group.
Discover What You Know with the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee
Take an interactive pop quiz and find out how much you know about African American history.
Arts & Literacy
Gather the Sky with Tucson Clay Co-op
Create a clay vessel to collect raindrops and other precious desert objects.
Make New Friends with Pima County Public Library
Pal around with library representatives and literacy specialist Marge Pellegrino for a fun and engaging writing activity. Make a friendship bracelet for all of your friends.
Poetry Grab Bag: 3 Ways to Write a Poem with University of Arizona’s Poetry Center
Select the perfect words from a magnetic wall to create a poetic masterpiece. Enjoy a fun writing activity.
Color Fun with DeGrazia in the Sun
Use glitter crayons, gel markers and stamps to artistically color your own copy of “Color Fun,” filled with DeGrazia images of summertime in the desert.
Join the Solstice Masquerade with Arizona State Museum
Make a sun or moon mask and join the masquerade.
Creature Factoring with Sahuaro Girl Scout Council
Use the magic of your imagination to create exciting cartoon creatures!
Making Moves the Hip Hop Way with The Human Project
Learn to twist and turn, pop and lock in the Hip Hop style.
Go Green
Tap into the Power of the Sun with The Solar Store
Talk with energy engineer Katharine Kent about using the power of the sun for your energy needs. See solar energy at work to cook food, pump water and generate electricity. Find out how you can use solar energy in your life.
Solar Electric Vehicle by GeoInnovation
Find out how solar energy can be used to power a car, a home, and even the performances at this event.
Experience the Speed of Light with the Arizona Solar Racing Team
Take the wheel in a solar racing car and meet the drivers that make this car zoom.
Water Wisdom with Tucson Water
Living in the desert makes us realize just how precious water is. Learn about water conservation through interactive demonstrations.
Make Your Garden Green with Used Water with Sierra Club
Learn to rig your appliance to produce abundant water for your garden. See a demonstration of gray water usage and pick up tips.
Play the Recycle Game with Tucson Organic Gardeners
Discover alternatives to tossing stuff in the trash. Decide which items can be reused or recycled.
Discover Soil that Percolates with Watershed Management Group
When designing rainwater and grey water harvesting basins you want good percolation instead of standing water. See the effect different soil types have on percolation rates.
Who’s Your Farmer?
Have your peaches traveled more than you? Does your beef have a passport? Find out where common grocery store items are grown and test your knowledge of plant growing seasons. Discover how local you can go!
Save Seeds For The Future with First Credit Union
Play a game that shows you the importance of saving.
Make a Sun Print with Arizona State Museum
Make a photographic print using the sun's rays to develop it.
Desert Resources
Create the Ideal Habitat with Arizona Wilderness Coalition
Make a wilderness collage from pictures of native plants and animals in Arizona landscapes and learn the importance of wilderness and its protection.
Transform Objects into Animals with Tucson Children’s Museum
Turn an everyday bowl into a desert tortoise. Decorate a paper snake bracelet with fun materials.
Go Fossil Digging with T-Rex Museum
Uncover fossil casts from the sand, and try to identify what the animal was. Kids who participate may take home one real fossil. Learn about volcanoes and cause an eruption. Make a dinosaur bookmark.
Experience Desert Life with Tohono Chul Park
The monsoon season is when the desert springs to life after the hot, dry months of May and June. See animal and plant specimens that demonstrate the beauty and variety of life in the Sonoran Desert at this time of year.
Live Critters and Sonoran Seasons with Tucson Audubon Society
Learn about some of the animals we share our desert home with while making a Sonoran seasons wheel.
Bats: Myth and Reality with Colossal Cave CANCELLED
Learn about bats here in Arizona and from around the world. Make a bat ring or bracelet.
Animal Signs with Arizona Game and Fish
Match rubber wildlife tracks to the correct animal and learn how to help keep these animals and their environment safe and healthy.
It’s a Bee’s Life with Arizona Native Plant Society
Learn about different pollinators and how they do their jobs. Check out a bee house model and learn why native bees are so important.
Look to the Stars
Sun and Star Viewing with Flandrau: University of Arizona Science Center and Kitt Peak National Observatory (NOAO)
Look through powerful telescopes at the sun, moon, planets, stars and deep sky objects. Talk with astronomers about the mysteries of the heavens.
Constellation Creativity with International Wildlife Museum
“I just see a bunch of stars…” Discover animals among the stars as ancient people did long ago.
Solstice Main Page | Performers & Presenters | Resources | Map & Directions
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