HARK Valley
Subscribe
Cover photo

Return of The MIM

Tom M. Scanlon

Jul 15, 2021

HARK!

I hear The MIM….

Officially, it’s the Musical Instruments Museum.

But to many around HARK Valley, it’s Music Is Mylife …

The MIM is back, and that’s a good thing.

That’s a really good thing.

That’s a swimming-pool thing.

Personally, on the blistering, endless days of Summer -- which starts in HARK Valley whenever it feels like it, and ends just after you’ve reached your endurance point -- I’d much rather dive into the MIM than a swimming pool. With a pool, you get out -- and in seconds, your skin starts shriveling up, laughing at you for thinking you could find relief.

I look out my backyard in Summer, and I don’t see a pool. I see a Lizard. On the back wall. Doing push ups.

I look out my backyard in Summer, and I don’t see a pool. I see a Lizard. On the back wall. Doing push-ups.

I draw the curtain.

I go to MIM…

Here, it’s cool. Literally, cool. Nice A/C, MIM!

But you can hug the ice cream freezer door at Fry’s, if you’re that desperate.

MIM is cool like a French director, like a Bronx poet, like a 9-piece African band, jamming not to perfect something, but to create something, look at it and say, “Not bad at all -- but maybe this …”

Anyway, MIM is back -- and just in time.

During the dark days of the pandemic, the Summer of ‘20, the MIM shut down.

Ug -- for seven months!

If you’re not familiar with the MIM, picture an awesome museum geared to musical instruments around the world. All kinds of crazy percussion and wind instruments that look prehistoric, but are widely in use in parts unknown ...Add in high-tech but seamless video and audio presentations (you get a headset, when you check in).

That would be enough -- more than enough. But the MIM also has a mid-sized theater -- OK, it’s a bit too-modern, a bit too-sterile, a bit … funk-challenged?

Yeah, so it’s not a Cafe du Nord or Kazmirez or Crescent Ballroom.

But we get over it -- fast -- as the stage draws magnificent performers from around the world.

Even before I got a case of virusnoia, I always tried to avoid crowds. The nice music museum does a lot of “outreach”: “Music can be a great way to spark kids’ imagination and creativity! It can enhance pre-language skills, boost motor development, and even encourage social skills and self-confidence in children starting as young as infancy. #MIMkids”

As such, The MIM can get pretty cluttered with those little coughing-sneezing-shrieking-annoying beasts I guess are lovingly called “kids”....But they clear out by late afternoon, which is when I like to go.

Some new guidelines: “Tickets may be purchased at the museum or online.

“The galleries are typically busiest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Complimentary masks are available at entry.

“Grab-and-go refreshments are available for purchase.

“Hand-sanitizing stations are available and high-touch areas are frequently disinfected.”

MIM’s Fb page has even more details.

Since it’s $20+ to buy tickets for one admission, if you plan to go multiple times -- and if you’re a music lover, you should -- it’s a swingin’ deal to get a membership. $100 a year gets you:

Unlimited museum admission for 2

10% discount at the Museum Store

Subscription to Quarter Notes, MIM’s quarterly publication

Recognition at MIM and on MIM.org

Free admission to MIM Musical Interludes concerts

Unfortunately, you have to pay extra (usually $25-30) for the concerts; through this horrid Summer, the MIM hosts the usual variety of brilliant music-makers:

Singer-Songwriters in the Round

Featuring Ashley E. Norton, Krystal Baker, and Sydney Sprague

Saturday, July 17

7:00 p.m.

$28.50–$33.50

I AM AZ MUSIC®

Anthony Mazzella: Legends of Guitar

Friday, July 23

7:00 p.m.

$25.50

GUITAR

Jackie Venson

Saturday, July 24

7:00 p.m.

$25.50–$33.50

I AM AZ MUSIC®

Extreme Acoustic Guitar

Featuring Bill Dutcher, Mike Breen, and Austin Dutcher

Tuesday, July 27

7:00 p.m.

$28.50

MEMBERS

Fall 2021 Concert Series Preview Event

Exclusive event for members who give $250+ annually

Wednesday, July 28

5:30 p.m.

Free for members who give $250+ annually

JTM3

Featuring Jay Allan, Tony King, and Matthew Henderson

Saturday, July 31

7:00 p.m.

$28.50–$33.50

Bossa Brazil

Saturday, August 7

7:00 p.m.

$23.50

Jaleo

Sunday, August 8

7:00 p.m.

$28.50

CLASSICAL

Paradise Winds

Saturday, August 21

7:00 p.m.

$23.50

Milk Carton Kids and Haley Heynderickx

Friday, August 27

7:00 p.m.

$49.50–$64.50

The MIM lives near Desert Ridge off the 101 at 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. in north Phoenix.

Parking is Free

Subscribe for free to HARK Valley
By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with Tom M. Scanlon to receive their original content, including promotions. Unsubscribe at any time. Meta will also use your information subject to the Bulletin Terms and Policies

More from HARK Valley
See all

Music, Muses, Movies, Merrymakers and More: HARK Valley 2022

HV searches for the best entertainment, near and far
Jan 5

'P-town': Historic, charming little Prescott has its hip twists

A great place to beat the heat
May 20

He had a 'Feels': Chad Rubin quits a career...and gets to work

Scottsdale singer-songwriter digs in with a new album
May 15
Comments
Subscribe with Facebook to comment

0 Comments

Share quoteSelect how you’d like to share below
Share on Facebook
Share to Twitter
Send in Whatsapp
Share on Linkedin
Privacy  ·  Terms  ·  Cookies  ·  © Meta 2022
Discover fresh voices. Tune into new conversations. Browse all publications