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Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Celebrate the lives of American musical icons Johnny Cash and June Carter on her 90th birthday. Play the autoharp at family-friendly folk-music workshops, watch a screening of The Johnny Cash Show, and enjoy live performances of Johnny and June classics.
Supported by the Arizona Autoharp Club
Gifts Available for Purchase 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Shop the Museum Store for gifts celebrating one of music’s most famous duos, Johnny Cash and June Carter. Our selection includes LPs, CDs, books, guitar picks, apparel, and more.
Instrument Spotlight: Autoharp 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Try your hand at the autoharp! Popularized in American music by Mother Maybelle Carter and later her daughter June Carter Cash, the autoharp has become emblematic of this influential family. Stop by to learn more and sample a few, then head to the United States / Canada Gallery to see MIM’s extensive Garry Harrison Collection of fretless zithers.
Photo Booth 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Have your picture taken with fun musical props at MIM’s custom photo booth, and instantly get your own copy to take home.
Screenings of The Johnny Cash Show 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Drop in and catch an episode or two of The Johnny Cash Show. After the success of his two live prison albums, Cash began hosting this musical variety show on television in the summer of 1969. Although it only lasted for two seasons, the show welcomed special musical guests each week, its regulars including June Carter and the Carter Family. 2019 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the show’s premiere. Join us for a screening of two full-length episodes—some of which feature guest artists celebrated in MIM’s Artist Gallery exhibits.
Caricatures by She Draws You 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Complete the day with a caricature! Have a whimsical portrait drawn by local artist Dianne Nowicki of She Draws You.
Country-Inspired Lunch Menu Available for Purchase 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Try Café Allegro’s spin on folk-country favorites such as macaroni and cheese with ham and green chiles or country pork barbecue with onion rings, plus a delicious Tennessee bourbon pecan pie for dessert.
Family Folk-Music Workshop 11:30 a.m.–noon Have you ever thought about starting a family band? Now’s your chance! Bring the family to learn some basic techniques for playing the autoharp with founder of the Arizona Autoharp Club, Barbara Giamalvo. With decades of experience in the Southwestern United States folk-music scene, she will join early childhood music educator Emily Bruso to share knowledge of this quintessentially American instrument. After the workshop, make sure to visit the Instrument Spotlight to test your new skills on a few autoharps from MIM’s collection. Space and instruments are limited for this workshop; first come, first served.
Drop-In Music Room: Acoustic Guitars Noon–3:00 p.m. Whether you’re a casual strummer or a guitar virtuoso, explore your musical talents with guitars from MIM’s education collection in this informal music-making room. MIM volunteer team members will be present to guide you through strumming a few Johnny Cash classics such as “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” “Easy Street,” “I’ve Been Everywhere,” and more.
Carter Family Songs and Stories 1:15–2:00 p.m. June Carter and the Carter Family have left an indelible mark on American folk and country music, one which is widely documented and celebrated across America today. Join Arizona Autoharp Club members Barbara Herber, David Baumann, and Barbara Giamalvo for this sing-along and learn about the music and legacy of the Carter family through storytelling and singing some of the family’s most famous tunes.
Scholar Talk: Returning to the Fold: Family and Country Music Stardom 2:15–3:00 p.m. Join special guest speaker Thomas Grant Richardson as he shares insight into the music of Johnny Cash and June Carter, including the legacy of the Original Carter Family. Richardson was formerly the curator of education at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee, and currently works as a traditional arts consultant across North America.
Performance by Blaine Long and Rosas del Rey 3:15–4:00 p.m. Round out your day at MIM with a performance by local band Blaine Long and Rosas del Rey. A part of the Arizona music scene for decades, Long classifies his music as Americana, built on strong country music influences. You might recognize him from Season 11 of NBC’s The Voice, where his musical talent garnered praise from all four judges. Come listen to Long’s soulful renditions of Johnny Cash and June Carter classics, as well as his own original music.
Arizona Autoharp Club