Now through Jan. 8, the Burke Museum is hosting ¡Carnaval!, an exhibit highlighting eight Carnival celebrations from communities in Europe and the Americas (including Mardi Gras). Included in the exhibit is a unique art installation of full-sized Carnival parade puppets created by local Seattle artists.
The exhibit includes more than 50 pieces of international folk art, plus videos, photos, costume pieces and more from some of the biggest and brightest Carnival celebrations in the world. Examples include: In Laza, Spain, celebrants might throw dirt and ants at neighbors. On the other side of the Atlantic, in Recife, Brazil, throngs gather to play frevo (to boil) music or dance the passo (umbrella dances), which grew out of acrobatic knife dances performed by young men who used the dance to threaten other gangs. In Tlaxcala, Mexico, men dress as French dandies and perform a burlesque dance.
The exhibit also features weekend workshops and other events. Read all about it at www.burkemuseum.org.
IF YOU GO
Where: University of Washington campus, at the corner of NE 45th St. and 17th Ave., Seattle.
When: Exhibit runs through Jan. 8, 2012.
Cost: $10, seniors $8, students (w/ID) and youth (ages 5 and older) $7.50. Free to Burke Members, children 4 and under, and UW staff/faculty/students. Admission is free to the public on the first Thursday of each month. Group tours may not be scheduled on these days.
Contact: 206-543-5590; www.burkemuseum.org.
Workshops and Events
Make your own Carnival masks, props, and costumes. All workshops are free with Museum admission. Check the ¡Carnaval! events page for updates and additions. Activities are subject to change.
¡Carnaval! Crafts
(All workshops are from 10 am – 2 pm unless otherwise indicated)
Sat., Dec. 10: Mask-Making and Crafts
Sat., Dec. 3: Mask-making and crafts
Sat., Dec. 10: Mask-making and crafts
Sat., Dec. 17: Mask-making and crafts
Thursday, Dec. 29 and Friday, Dec. 30: New Year’s Hats and Samba at the Burke!
Looking for something fun to do with the family over the holiday week? Get your house guests out of the house and learn to samba at the Burke! All ages are invited to learn the steps and dance to the rhythms of Brazilian Carnival. Print artist Carl Smool will also help you make your very own screen-printed hat—perfect attire for New Year’s festivities.
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012: Dia de Reyes, Three Kings Celebration!
Explore the rich Carnival traditions of Mexico through a special day of Mexican mask-making and treats sponsored by the Mexican Consulate of Seattle. Saturday, January 7 is also Artifact ID Day! Bring your unidentified treasures to learn more about where they came from and the stories behind them. (Artifact ID Day activities will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.
