September Outreach Events

September Outreach Highlights:

23 September "Dragon Boat Workshop": The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. How can you steer a boat with 20 paddlers, a drummer, and over 4000 pounds of water momentum? Explore the engineering dynamics of traditional Chinese dragon boats--how do these vessels stay afloat, move through water, and carry loads without sinking. Presented by U-M College of Engineering professors and students. 1-4 p.m., The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, 220 E.Huron. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and are free with paid admission to the Museum, $7/person; children under two are free. For more information, see www.aahom.org.

23 September "Chinese Drums and Gongs": Ann Arbor District Library. Musicologist and specialist in Chinese Daoist music from Nanjing Normal University, Dr. Pu Hengqiang, introduces gong-and-drum music, luogu yue, a feature of traditional Chinese festivals and processions. Traditional Chinese percussion instruments such as the metal gong, luo, or pairs of cymbals, bo, are used for lion dances , opera performances, and ritual events. The loudest rhythm comes from the thundering "big drum," dagu. Another rhythm keeper is the hand clapper, ban, made from two hardwood sticks and swung from side to side like castanets. Learn about the instruments that punctuate performance and set the pace for dramatic action. This lecture/demonstration is a prelude to U-M Drum Ensemble’s procession at Gallup Park highlighting the Dragon Boat Festival, a campus-community event to launch the ChinaNow LSA Theme Year on September 30th. Dr. Pu's presentation also complements the UMS production of Shen Wei Dance Arts "Second Visit to the Empress," Power Center, Sept 28, 29, and 30th which features a traditional Chinese orchestra. 4:30-5:30 p.m., AADL multipurpose room (lower level), 343 S. Fifth Ave. at William. Free. 327-8301.

Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments special lecture series. 28, 29, 30 September "Second Visit to the Empress," Shen Wei Dance Arts. University Musical Society, Power Center Epochal, exotic pageant of dance and theatrical arts inspired by a landmark 17th-century Chinese opera. 8 p.m., Power Center, Sept 28 & 29; 4 p.m., Power Center, Sept 30