Peabody Essex Museum Host Japanese Festival on Saturday, July 26

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is hosting an afternoon of Taiko drumming and Obon dancing as part of its 2008 Japanese Festival from 2 to 4 p.m.
Obon dancing is enjoyed throughout Japan in the month of August, when family members gather to honor their ancestors. Join members of Odaiko New England for a taiko drumming performance and an opportunity to learn Obon dancing with middle school students from Ota, Salem's sister city, in Tokyo, Japan. For additional information, including admission prices and directions, visit http://www.pem.org/

WEEKEND PICK: Gigantic Bugs Invade Framingham on Saturday

Come to BIG BUGS at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on Saturday and get a bug’s eye view of the world when you stand nose to knee with a 18-foot, 1200-pound praying mantis and 12 other enormous and beautiful wood sculptures by New York artist David Rogers.
(The exhibit is in Framingham through Oct. 31) Enjoy a picnic and buzz over to the nursery to buy a butterfly garden and other cool native plants, gifts, books, and bug-themed toys. Take photos and share your images at bigbugsart@newenglandWILD.org

Saturday is the Grand opening celebration, featuring MEET THE BEATLES –with HELP! New England’s own Beatles Tribute Band, performing live in honor of BIG BUGS. Join in to make this the greatest celebration of rock history meeting natural history ever. All this takes place in a summer paradise filled with 1,500 native wildflower species and including 200 rare species at New England Wild Flower Society's Garden in the Woods, a world-renowned 45-acre botanical garden and living museum.
For nearly 20 years, "HELP!" has delighted audiences with its authentic Beatles sound, vintage costumes and instruments, and repertoire that spans the entire recording career of the "fab four." “We play Beatles music because we love it”, says Marc Hertzberg, Bandleader of ‘HELP!’, and dedicated conservationist. “Bringing the Beatles to the Beetles is an exciting way to support the plant conservation work of the Society and have a great party too.”
Families will thrill to meet live costumed characters “ANT MINI”, “ODO” the dragonfly, and “DANI” the monarch butterfly on garden walks, together with the enormous BIG BUGS on Saturday too. Opening day festivities begin at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.

Which BIG BUG is also a beetle? Throughout the exhibit's run visitors will learn the answer and lots of exciting nature facts every day, and at theme weekends through the exhibit, with special family activities, buggy crafts, and a great time for everyone. There is a full roster of buzz worthy courses at the Society’s education programs throughout. New England Wild Flower Society's offers the largest native plant education program in the nation.
“Insects play a vital role in a garden, but are unnoticed, so I put them on such a large scale that you can’t help but notice them,” says Rogers. His popular exhibition is a smash hit across America and returns to New England in this exclusive showing.
Make BIG BUGS your summer’s centerpiece for a grand celebration of the Web of Life and enter the exciting world of plant and insect relationships with dozens of special events.
Learn more at about your visit, photo gallery, events, and bug-related classes.
See BIG BUGS July 12-September 1, 9-7 daily; September 2-October 31, 9-5 daily, rain or shine. Admission, including opening day concert and theme weekends is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with identification, $4 for children 3-18, and free for members and children under three. 508-877-7630, www.newenglandwild.org.
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PHOTO: BIG BUGS Spider and Web by David Rogers at Garden in the Woods. (c) New England Wild Flower Society/Lisa Mattei

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WEEKEND PICK: Tree Figures Opening Weekend at Fruitlands Museum

Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, home of Shaker, Native American and New England art & artifacts, announces its most adventurous outdoor exhibit in 94 seasons with its Branching Out grand opening events this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. This weekend, join sculptor Joe Wheelwright as he brings his dramatic installation of Tree Figures to Fruitlands 200 acres. Walk among natural sculptures created from actual trees - some over 25 feet high - as they burst forth throughout a historic landscape, taking the shape of fantastical creatures of the imagination. Take the time to learn more about Joe Wheelwright at the Branching Out retrospective of his smaller tree works within our galleries. Come meet the artist, interact at family workshops, reconnect with New England history at one of our four galleries, or simply soak in the view at our Museum Restaurant. This exciting Tree Figures exhibit runs through November 2009.
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Opening Weekend ctivities:

Catch the premiere viewing of Joe Wheelwrights Tree Figures on the grounds of Fruitlands Museum. Cleverly integrated into the existing landscape and trails, each sculpture becomes a surprise discovery that will rekindle enjoyment of the natural world. Joe Wheelwrights larger-than-life tree sentinels (ranging from 9 to 27) will make visitors think, gasp, wonder, laugh and take a closer look.

Ongoing: Visit the museum's newest exhibition Forests Interrupted, curated by Laurie Butters and John O'Keefe. This exhibit uses landscapes to explore changing ideas about wilderness and forest management, with accounts of trees contributions to New Englands heritage, past and future.

Tree Whys Drop-in Activities at the Wayside noon to 4 p.m. on both Saturday & Sunday

Bring the family to participate in fun Tree Whys activities from noon to 4 p.m., as museum staff explore trees through crafts and projects. Design your own leaf and twig fans; create a tree design bookmark to use in your "book leaves; create a labyrinth using twig colored pencils; make your own Native American Kainsish game; then walk Fruitlands' Labyrinth and visit the Farmhouse to see Henry Thoreau's pencils.

Fruitlands Facts: Fruitlands Museum,102 Prospect Hill Road Harvard, www.fruitlands.org, 978.456.3924. Open daily 11am-4pm and Weekends/Holidays 11am-5pm. Admission is free for members; Adults $10; Seniors and Students w/ a college ID $8; Children 5-17 $4; Children under 5, FREE. Trail/Grounds only, $6 adults, $3 children.Fruitlands Museum Store: Located next to our main parking lot, Fruitlands Museum Store sells admissions to galleries and grounds, Museum memberships, as well as books, cards, handmade crafts, original works by New England artists, games, childrens books, toys, and much more. Browsing encouraged -- no admission necessary! Hours: Open daily May through December. For questions, you can call the store year-round at 978.456.3924, Ext 235, or email museumstore@fruitlands.org.Tea Room Restaurant: Memorable dining and stunning views go hand in hand at Fruitlands historic Tea Room restaurant, under a panoramic tent or inside a garden arbor. Come experience creative seasonal luncheon menus, sumptuous desserts, and sweeping vistas with friends and family. Seasonal Specialties Fine Catering is the exclusive caterer for the Museum, featuring menus rich with traditional favorites and creative cuisine. Visit seasonal fine dining.com for menu. Open daily, 11AM to 4PM, May through December. Call 978.456.3924, Ext. 242 for restaurant reservations and Ext. 223 to inquire about daytime gatherings and museum facility rentals.

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WEEKEND PICK: New Polar Exhibit Opens Tomorrow at Peabody Essex Museum

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 28th, the Peabody Essex Museum is pleased to celebrate the opening its newest exhibition, Polar Attractions. The exhibition features works by 32 contemporary North American, Native Alaskan, and Canadian Inuit artists responding to the majestic beauty of the polar environments and the science of climate change. Through photography, painting, video, sculpture and interactive stations, the exhibition exposes visitors to life in the Arctic and Antarctic and hopes to inspire the careful consideration of both natural and human-influenced change in the polar regions.
Artists featured in Polar Attractions will be leading free demonstrations and workshops for parents and families during Opening Day, providing the public with a unique opportunity to interface and learn from cutting-edge contemporary artists.
Activities include:
* Meeting two arctic owls in the Museum's atrium
* Creating polar animal pictures and ice-inspired puzzles
* Mixed-media sculpture demonstration by Brookline-based artist, Nathalie Miebach, who integrates climatic data into intricate and powerful forms
* Internationally-renowned photographer, Paul Caponigro, will relay his experiences photographing and exploring the Antarctic.

About the Peabody Essex Museum: The Peabody Essex Museum presents art and culture from New England and around the world. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens and 24 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old house that is the only example of Chinese domestic architecture on display in the United States.
HOURS Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ADMISSION Adults $15; seniors $13; students $11.
Web site at http://www.pem.org/
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STEGOSAURUS BOOK: Thursday, June 19 is Book Signing at EcoTarium & Enter Bay State Parent's EXCLUSIVE Contest To Win An Autographed Copy

Siegfried the Stegosaurus, who recently went AWOL from the EcoTarium to take a ramble through downtown Worcester, is now safely back home, and a book chronicling his adventures will be launched on Thursday, June 19 with a party and book signing at the Worcester museum.
The book about Siegfried's odyssey was born when Ann "Cookie" Nelson, who designs the EcoTarium's annual fund materials, learned from EcoTarium President Stephen Pitcher that this year the museum would have a new exhibit, DinoTracks. "Whatever happened," she asked Steve, "to Siegfried, the dinosaur that my children loved when the museum was on Elm and Cedar Streets?"
She learned that until very recently, Siegfried, a life- sized sculpture, had been exiled to a spot in the woods on the EcoTarium's grounds, but that now he was located in a more prominent position near the museum entrance.
What if Siegfried, discontented at being alone in the woods, had decided to walk away from the EcoTarium and explore Worcester, visiting the city's famous landmarks? That thought has turned into a colorful children's book written by Cookie Nelson and illustrated by Michael McMenemy, a Worcester artist and graduate of the Pratt Institute whose whimsical illustrations brought Siegfried and the sights of Worcester to life.
The EcoTarium is celebrating the publication of Siegfried with a party and book signing on Thursday, June 19 at the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The party is free and includes light refreshments and a chance to chat with the creators of the book. Siegfried will cost $10.95 and will be sold at the EcoTarium's Museum Store and other local shops.
And what did happen to Siegfried when he ran away? He investigated Mechanics Hall, the Worcester Art Museum, the restaurants of Shrewsbury Street and lots more. To find out all the exciting details, you have to read the book!


EXCLUSIVE CONTEST: The EcoTarium has generously offered 5 autographed copies of Ann "Cookie" Nelson's new book Siegfried the Stegosaurus to Bay State Parent magazine readers.
5 readers, drawn at random, will each win an autographed copy.
To enter, please fill out the form at: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html
Please select Siegfried book in the pull down menu.
The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 10 at 11:59 p.m., EST.
Winners will be announced on the magazine's blog. Books will be mailed to winners.

About the EcoTarium: EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, is a unique indoor-outdoor museum offering three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, a digital planetarium, and a narrow- gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Parking is free. For information, visit http://www.ecotarium.org/.
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June 21-22: Enchanted Weekend Planned for National Heritage Museum

The Lexington Field and Garden Club presents an Enchanted Weekend at the National Heritage Museum, Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22. Each day children and adults will have the opportunity to learn about the natural world and the fairies that inhabit it.

*Children’s Fairy Workshop: Saturday, June 21, 1-4 p.m.
Play fairy games, create a village of fairy houses in the Museum’s enchanted woods, and bring home a keepsake of your day. $35; $30 for members. Registration is required. Call 781-861-6559 to register.

*Fairy House Tour and Activities for Families: Sunday, June 22, noon-4 p.m.
Discover fairy houses in the Museum’s Enchanted Woods, and enjoy activities for the entire family. Learn how to build a fairy house for the mythical sprites in your neighborhood. Suggested donation is $15 per family to support ongoing family programming at the Museum. Call 781-861-6559 to register.

About the Museum: The National Heritage Museum is dedicated to presenting exhibitions and programs on a wide variety of topics in American history and popular culture. The Museum is supported by the Scottish Rite. The National Heritage Museum is located at 33 Marrett Road in Lexington, at the corner of Route 2A and Massachusetts Avenue. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday, noon–5 pm. Admission and parking are free. Heritage Shop and Courtyard Café on site. For further information contact the Museum at (781) 861‑6559 or visit the web site at www.nationalheritagemuseum.org

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Boston Children's Museum Receives LEED Gold Certification

Boston Children’s Museum is excited to announce that it recently achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
It is the first “green” museum in Boston.
Today, Friday, May 16, at 4 p.m. the Museum will unveil its LEED plaque at a ceremony attended by City of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, “The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.” To be named LEED Gold certified, a building must meet stringent standards for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and innovative design
During its renovation and expansion, Boston Children’s Museum used recycled and rapidly renewable materials and added a green roof, storm water reclamation system and real-time heating and cooling controls. The Museum also replaced its ambient light fixtures with highly efficient fixtures and trained housekeeping staff on the proper way to store, use, and dispose of chemicals, paper products and other materials
“Boston Children's Museum has long been a leader in setting the gold standard for hands-on exhibits and early childhood education programs,” Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums, says. “Achieving LEED Gold certification is the mark of high performance and advances the strong green trend in the children's museum field.”
Since reopening its newly renovated and expanded “green” building last year, the new Boston Children’s Museum has become a Green Town Square showcasing citywide environmental initiatives for young children and their families. Two of these initiatives are Green at Home and the Green Trail.
Green at Home, sponsored by National Grid through a $100,000 grant, is a series of “green fairs” that educate visitors about the ways they can decrease their impact on the environment.
Green Trail, sponsored by Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation through a $250,000 grant, will provide an interpretative experience onsite to tell the story of the museum’s green building.
Boston Children’s Museum believes that these initiatives will create a green-from-the-start mentality in its young visitors.

About Boston Children’s Museum: The Museum exists to help children understand and enjoy the world in which they live. It is a private, non-profit, educational institution that is recognized internationally as a research and development center and pacesetter for children's exhibitions, educational programs and curriculum. Boston Children’s Museum incorporates two strategies - engaging families and building communities - to impact five outcome areas for children: Creative Kids, Curious Kids, Global Kids, Green Kids and Healthy Kids. More information about Boston Children’s Museum can be found at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org
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