PHOENIX – On July 24 at 2 p.m., join the Heard Museum for the official launching of a new book by one of the biggest names in the Native music world!

Jana Mashonee, Lumbee, a GRAMMY nominee and eight-time Native American Music Award (NAMMY) winner in every major category including Artist of the Year, is an artist with a mission and a message. A singer-songwriter with an ear for melody and the gift of a stunning voice, Jana has been wowing crowds and critics since she began her career. Her powerful voice, uplifting message, and exotic beauty and style have garnered widespread press attention. Her electrifying live show is knocking out audiences from coast to coast. Jana also gives back to Native youth with her Jana's Kids Foundation scholarship program and her newest project Reading For Life.

Her young adult book American Indian Story – The Adventures of Sha’kona, based on her bestselling album of the same name, will be officially released on Saturday, July 24 at the Heard. After a short musical performance and discussion, Jana will sign copies of the new book, which will be on sale as a book or book/CD combination during Target Free Sizzlin’ Summer Saturday.

The Heard Museum is located at  2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz.

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More July events at the Heard:

FIVE FREE SATURDAYS IN JULY OFFER FUN FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS
Culture, Creativity and Cool Activities Fill Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays at the Heard Museum


WHAT:            Target Free Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays at the Heard Museum
From exciting music and dance performances to an extravaganza of hands-on activities, artist demonstrations and free goody bags, Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays gives kids and families a cool and creative way to spend July Saturdays. What’s better, mom and dad or grandpa and grandma can explore the Heard Museum and enjoy the activities for free as well, thanks to support from Target.

At Target Free Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays, there’s something for everyone! Each Saturday from July 3-31, visitors can experience exciting dance performances and meet authors of popular kids’ books, and listen to readings.

Also, each week a special activity will take place in the museum! From adoptable animals to science demonstrations, kids of all ages will be sure to love each week’s new attraction.

Kids can enjoy several hands-on activities in addition to the dozens of interactive or make-and-take activities in three of the museum’s galleries: Every Picture Tells a Story, We Are! Arizona’s First People and HOME: Native People in the Southwest. They can also participate in a different “treasure hunt” in the museum each week. The Café at the Heard Museum will offer special kids and family lunches. Plus, each child will receive a treat and a take-home souvenir bag filled with activity sheets, crayons, stickers and more.


WHEN:            Saturdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2010, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

·         Museum Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
·         Hands-on activities – 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
·         Special activities – 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
·         Performances – 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
·         Book readings – 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
·         Book signings – 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.


WHERE:            Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz.


COST:            FREE! Everyone gets in free on Target Free Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays, thanks to a grant from Target.

INFO:              For more information, please call 602.252.8848 or visit www.heard.org/Sizzlin’.



Schedule of Activities:


Saturday, July 3         “We’re all American!”
Be patriotic on this special day before Independence Day. Kids can create their own stars-and-stripes themed artwork, plus see a tribute to American Indian military veterans in the exhibit HOME: Native People in the Southwest.
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Hands-on Activities – Create a red, white and blue charm necklace, scratch a star, paint a star pin, decorate a box
using red, white and blue and patriotic decorations, and
make your own American flag
·         Performances – Yellow Bird Dancers
·         Book Reading & Signing – Books TBD


Saturday, July 10       “Fancy Flyers!”
Up, up and away! Birds, butterflies and bugs are frequently used designs on a variety of American Indian art. Kids can enjoy creating a variety of artwork that pays tribute to things that flitter through the air. Plus, check out artwork featuring an array of fancy flyers in the museum’s 10 exhibition galleries.
·         Hands-on Activities – Make hairpipe necklaces, create 3-D butterfly ornaments, decorate ceramic bugs with glitter, make insect and bug rubbings and paint a bird pin
·         Performances – Hoop dancing and fancy dancing with Lane and Tyrese Jensen, Navajo/Maricopa
·         Book Reading & Signing – Books TBD


Saturday, July 17       “Way to Grow!”
From Arizona’s deserts to the Colorado Plateau, American Indians in our state appreciate life-giving water that helps plants grow, from crops like corn for food to plant materials that are used to make baskets, dyes for textiles and shade structures. Leaves, flowers and other plants can blossom in a variety of hands-on activities.
Hands-on Activities – Create a foam leaf bead necklace, scratch flower ornaments, make tissue flowers, paint a corn pin and make leaf and flower rubbings
Performances – Hopi Dance Group
Book Reading & Signing – Books TBD


Saturday, July 24       “Chill Out!”
Families can catch the Arctic chill in the museum’s exhibition Arctic Spirit: Inuit Art from the Albrecht Collection, and kids can make a variety of “cool” artwork of their own. There’s also a fun Arctic area in the exhibition Every Picture Tells a Story full of hands-on in-gallery activities.
·         Hands-on Activities – Make cowrie shell necklaces, paint polar bear pins, decorate your own fan with stickers, paint wind chimes and scratch a pinwheel
·         Performances – Yellow Bird Dancers
·         Book Reading & Signing – Jana Mashonee will sign her book American Indian Story.


Saturday, July 31       “Four-legged Friends!”
Celebrate our four-legged friends – from mans’ best friend to horses, sheep and other livestock  – during this final Sizzlin’ Summer Saturday. Children can explore the museum’s exhibition galleries and look for four-legged animals on a variety of weavings, pottery, baskets and more.
·         Hands-on Activities – Decorate your own puppy, create horse backpacks, make a card using stamps, paint a sheep pin and decorate a box with horse stickers
·         Performances – Hoop dancing and fancy dancing with Lane and Tyrese Jensen, Navajo/Maricopa
·         Book Reading & Signing – Books TBD