Kalimba Magic

Sanza Exhibit Opening Feb 25, 2012
at MIM, the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ

MIM, the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ opened its doors in 2010. This is a huge world class museum dedicated to musical instruments from around the world. You get to see the instruments up close, and you get to see and hear video of top notch performers of these exotic instruments from around the world. Really cool!

The MIM at 4725 East Mayo Boulevard in northern Phoenix

On February 25, 2012 MIM welcomes its newest exhibition, SANZA: African Thumb Pianos from the Collections of F. & F. Boulanger-Bouhière and MIM. Featuring two hundred thumb pianos on loan from a private Belgian collection, as well as those from MIM's own collection (including loans from the Royal Museum for Central Africa), the exhibition will present a varied range of thumb-piano styles brought to life through audio and video recordings.

Mark Holdaway will be there on February 25, hanging out in the Sanza Exhibit, discussing with the public, and also teaching people to play the karimba in the Founder's Room. We will have about 20 student karimbas on hand for people to learn a few traditional African songs, and the plan is to offer the hands-on karimba instruction at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30. We'd love to see you at The MIM!

By the way, the MIM's gift shop sells more Hugh Tracey kalimbas than any other reseller in Arizona. If you are looking to get a Hugh Tracey kalimba in Phoenix, MIM is the place to go.

Here are some photos associated with the new Sanza exhibit:

And I thought I looked cool walking down the street playing my kalimba!

Here are some instruments that are part of MIM's regular Africa exhibit:

Karimba in a resonator of the style Hugh Tracey popularized

Karimba in a gourd resonator

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