The Musical Instrument Museum’s inaugural global music festival, MIMFest, is being held Oct. 18 and 19 at the popular museum in northeast Phoenix. Hours are 10 am-5 pm both days.
MIMFest is a two-day music festival set against the backdrop of the stunning Arizona desert and inspired by MIM’s commitment to celebrate musical traditions and cultures from around the world. The festival will bring together extraordinary musical acts, energetic dancers, dynamic street performers and culinary delights on MIM’s 20-acre grounds.
While MIM hosts nearly 200 concerts per year in the acoustically superb MIM Music Theater, this will mark the first time the museum is bringing multiple global acts together outdoors for a full weekend of exceptional music. From Latin rock and Ethiopian grooves to Celtic melodies and traditional bluegrass, MIMFest artists will offer attendees a one- of-a-kind musical journey around the globe. Below are just some of the participants:
• Davina and The Vagabonds (genre-busting jazz, blues and roots music with fiery vocals)
• La Santa Cecilia (modern- day hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music)
• Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni ba (masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute from West Africa)
• Krar Collective (mind-blowing ethiopian grooves)
• Heritage Blues Orchestra (a mingling of African- American music, modern jazz and Western european harmony)
• Muskellunge (contemporary, original American music)
• The Okee Dokee Brothers (Americana folk music for the whole family).
“MIMFest offers a fun and festive opportunity for attendees to discover talented musical acts from around the world,” says Lowell Pickett, artistic director for MIMFest. “The diverse lineup allows guests to experience artists of varying genres and levels of success, and we hope this inspires them to continue exploring and appreciating global music.”
In between performances on the two main stages, a variety of locally based pop-up performers will treat guests to hula lessons, taiko drumming, East Indian dancing and more. A Chinese lion dance team, brass band and moko jumbie (stilt walker popularized by the Brazilian Carnival tradition) will also rove throughout the festival space.
Guests can purchase cuisine from 13 local food trucks. Participating trucks include everything from hot dogs and curry dishes to Mexican food, pizza and more.
MIMFest offers discounted prices for children’s tickets and will offer multiple activities for children of all ages, from playing instruments to having their faces painted. Children 6 and under are free.
One-day and two-day passes are available, as well as a VIP option that includes on-sit parking and special offerings. Tickets can be purchased online at MIM.org or by calling 480-478-6000.
MIMFest is sponsored in part by APS and Colletti-Fiss LLC.
The Musical Instrument Museum is located at 4725 E Mayo Blvd in Phoenix at the corner of Tatum and Mayo Boulevards. Complimentary parking and shuttle service for MIMFest will be located just south of the museum at Horse Lovers Park, 19224 N Tatum Blvd., Phoenix.
