Summer is coming, and the Penn Museum is ready with Wednesday morning programming for children and their families, June 28 through August 16. From world music to puppetry, theater, and storytelling—even an ancient Egyptian mummification program—World Wonders offers a globally-focused lineup of interactive performances in the Museum’s Rainey Auditorium. For families with younger children, Storytime Expeditions, which feature a story book reading and touchable artifacts to explore, take place in the Museum’s galleries. The programs are thematically linked, and families can choose to attend one or both programs.
World Wonders programs, geared to families with children ages 5 to 13, run 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Storytime Expeditions, geared to ages 3 to 8 and their families, run from 10:15 to 11:00 am. The programs are free with Museum admission, and guests may explore the international galleries of the Penn Museum before and after the program.
The Museum's discounted summer general admission donation, July and August, is $10 for adults, seniors, and children. June admission donation is $15 for adults; $13 for seniors, and $10 for children 6 to 17 years old. Museum admission is free for children 5 and younger, Penn Museum Members, and PennCard holders. Active U.S. Military and their families receive free admission Memorial Day through Labor Day. EBT cardholder admission is $2 per person, up to four family members. Discounted admission is available for groups of 10 or more (pre-registration required). For more information or to pre-register a group of 10 or more, call (215) 746-6774 or email education@pennmuseum.org.
The World Wonders 2017 lineup:
Wednesday, June 28
The Ways of the Lenape
Who are the Lenape Native Americans of New Jersey and Pennsylvania? In The Ways of the Lenape, Rob Aptaker uses Native American artifacts to explore the tools, clothing, toys, games, medicine and music that were, and continue to be, part of their daily lives. A fascinating introduction to Lenape cultures and customs.
Wednesday, July 5
Daria’s World Music
Internationally acclaimed musician and recording artist Daria entertains guests with melodies from around the globe. Playing authentic instruments such as guiros, buffalo drums, caiones, sekeres, and singing bowls, Daria engages children with this interactive world music session.
Wednesday, July 12
Family Stages presents Finding King Tut
Journey with Howard Carter to the Valley of the Kings in the year 1922, when Carter discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun—an effort that was six years in the making. Family Stages’ Finding King Tut combines humor and history to give audiences a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian culture and the work of archaeologist Howard Carter.
Wednesday, July 19 SOLD OUT
Troupe Da-Da Drums and Dance Ensemble
Troupe Da-Da African Dance and Drum Ensemble performs a variety of West African and Afro-Cuban dances. Dressed in colorful, authentic regalia and singing in traditional African languages, the dancers of Troupe Da-Da move gracefully to the powerful rhythms and percussions of the djembe, dundun, conga and bata drums, the sekere, and more.
Wednesday, July 26
Steve Abrams presents Aesop’s Fables
Master puppeteer Steve Abrams involves his audiences in everything he does, from the simplest form of puppetry to expert (and very funny) presentations of Aesop's fables—in which a brave mouse, a lazy fox, and a very determined turtle are the featured players. Audience members can shake hands with a strange, blue animal that lives in Steve's suitcase, practice their own turtle voices, and enjoy a warm encounter with the world of imagination.
Wednesday, August 2
Sciencetellers presents Pirates: Lost at Sea
Sciencetellers is an unprecedented theatrical learning experience crafted from a unique combination of interactive science experiments and original stories. Set sail on a thrilling action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates marooned on a desert island. Throughout the story, explore the incredible science behind clouds, combustion, air pressure, scientific variables and more.
Wednesday, August 9
Egyptian Mummy Makers
Ever wonder how and why the ancient Egyptians mummified their dead? Learn how to be an ancient Egyptian embalmer and prepare Mr. Ulysses Penn for his journey to the afterlife! Using fabricated mummies, explore mummification through each step of the process, including brain removal, evisceration, desiccation, and wrapping. This workshop is demonstration based and uses life-like mummies.
Wednesday, August 16
The Franklin Institute Presents Motion and Machines
Roll, slide, and spin! Investigate the basic physics of motion in this interactive show. Explore architecture through time and across cultures and learn Newton’s Laws of Motion. Witness these laws in action in a lever, pulley, and student-driven hover car.
The Storytime Expeditions 2017 line up:
June 28
When the Shadbush Blooms
Today when a Lenape girl ventures to the stream to fish for shad, she knows that another girl did the same generations before. Through the cycle of the seasons, what is important has remained the same: being with family, knowing when berries are ripe for picking, listening to stories in a warm home. Told by Traditional Sister and Contemporary Sister, each from her own time, this is a book about tradition and about change. Then and now are not so very different when the shadbush blooms. This program complements the World Wonders: The Ways of the Lenape program.
July 5
Musicians of the Sun
When Lord of Night looks into his magic mirror, he sees that the world is gray and joyless. He commands Wind to fly to the house of the Sun and free the four musicians held prisoner there. How will Wind overcome Sun's fearsome power? In this adapted Aztec myth, listeners will soar with Wind as he battles the mighty warrior Sun in his quest to bring music and color to the Earth. This program complements the World Wonders: Daria's World Music program.
July 12
We’re Sailing Down the Nile
Take a colorful boat ride with the book We're Sailing Down the Nile. Children and adults visit well-known Egyptian sites and artifacts through this story. Discover sculptures and temples, tombs, and mummies, and even the famous Great Sphinx! This story complements the World Wonders: Family Stages Presents Finding King Tut program.
July 19
Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti
Anansi the Spider is one of the great folk heroes of the world. He is a rogue, a mischief maker, and a wise, lovable creature who triumphs over larger foes. Follow him through this Caldecott-winning adaptation, which combines bold, rich color with traditional West African design motifs and authentic Ashanti language rhythms. This program complements the sold out World Wonders: Troupe Da-Da Drums and Dance Ensemble program.
July 26
Little Bear, You're a Star!
This lively, vibrantly illustrated rendition of the story of Big and Little Bear provides a wonderful introduction to classic Greek myths and the constellations. This story complements the World Wonders: Steve Abrams Presents Aesop's Fables program.
August 2
Pompeii: Lost and Found
Glimpse the daily life of Ancient Romans before the destructive eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and learn about the archeological discoveries that help us piece together this incredible story. Mary Pope Osbourne's words are illustrated by Christensen in the style of the ancient frescoes found at Pompeii. This story complements the World Wonders: Sciencetellers Presents Pirates: Lost at Sea program.
August 9
The Little Blue Hippo: A Children's Story Inspired by Egyptian Art
Travel back to a time when blue hippos called the Nile home and follow Little Hippo on his journey from his friend's Ancient Egyptian tomb all the way to the Louvre museum in France. This story complements the World Wonders: Egyptian Mummy Makers program.
August 16
D is for Dancing Dragon
This alphabet book brings China's history and culture to life, detailing a different example of its unique customs, art works, music, foods, geography, wildlife, and inventions on every page. This story complements the World Wonders: The Franklin Institute Presents Motion and Machines.
Post-program, hungry families can enjoy internationally-inspired as well as kid-friendly cafeteria lunch options in the Museum’s glass enclosed Pepper Mill Café. The Museum Shop features a wide variety of gifts for adults and for children—including books, games and activity sets to explore cultures of the world.
