Autry Center to offer full slate of events

The Autry National Center sets the stage for a lively season including the annual Viva el Cinco festival; Western Music Association’s jam sessions, songwriting, and guitar workshops; a Latin Jazz performance by the CSULA Afro-Latin Student Ensemble; Native Voices at the Autry’s free play readings; and the Friends of the Autry’s annual fashion show, themed A Touch of Western Class. An array of activities will keep young and old entertained while a new exhibition, Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing, challenges visitors to reach new heights.

Please note that the operating hours at the Autry’s Griffith Park campus have changed. The new weekday hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Museum Store’s new weekday hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours for the museum and the museum store are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursdays from June 1 to August 31, hours for the museum and museum store are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum and museum store continue to be closed on Mondays.

MAY

Western Music Association’s Songwriting Workshop With Michael Fleming
Saturday, May 2, 1–4 pm
Sign up for this afternoon songwriting workshop with award-winning songwriter Michael Fleming. Fleming writes songs about the West and real working cowboys, and his songs almost redefine the “cowboy” genre, drawing on a wide range of styles from blues to swing, while retaining a strong sense of continuity and providing a window into a timeless West. The workshop is $25. To register, contact Marilyn Tuttle at 818.365.8709 or send an e-mail to lindaleegreen@earthlink.net.

Viva el Cinco!
Sunday, May 3, 11 am–5 pm
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us at our annual Viva el Cinco family festival. Traditional festivities include the vibrant sounds of mariachis, lively ballet folklorico, and skillful charros. Share and learn about Mexican and Mexican American culture and history throughout the day. In-gallery puppet performances, featuring a puppet-making activity, highlight tales inspired by the Mexican Revolution. Our live art demonstration will inspire you to trace your family’s roots and customs, and children of all ages are encouraged to explore our museum galleries and participate in a self-guided discovery tour. The cafe will be open and ready to dish up its famous tacos and salsas. And be sure to visit the museum store for authentic Mexican gifts and crafts. Free with museum admission.

Friends of the Autry Fashion Show and Luncheon
A Touch of Western Class
Monday, May 4, 11 am–2 pm
The annual fundraiser includes silent auction, raffle, lunch, and a fashion show featuring Western wear by Scully. Tickets: $90. Call 323.667.2000, ext. 317.

Please Note: The Mexican Mother’s Day celebration originally scheduled for May 9 has been canceled.

Mother’s Day Shopping Event
Saturday, May 9, 11 am–5 pm
Shop for fine Native American jewelry and Zuni fetish carvings from respected trader Scott Ryerson of Tepopa Trading Co. in Tucson, Arizona. Known for his wide selection of fetish carvings, Ryerson represents most of the fine carvers at Zuni. Also, Ryerson always has an amazing selection of jewelry, at the most affordable prices, from Navajo, Zuni, and Santo Domingo artists. Bring Mom along and let her have the fun of talking to Ryerson in person and selecting her own unique gift! Admission is free.

Titeres Rebeldes: Final Performance
Saturday, May 9, 12:45 pm
Visit the Bold Caballeros y Noble Bandidas exhibition for the final performance of our Titeres Rebeldes puppet show. Free with museum admission.

Let’s Make History! Tissue Paper Flowers
Saturday, May 9, 1–2:30 pm
It’s May and flowers are blooming everywhere. Pretty for May Day, Mother’s Day, or to brighten any day, join us and make a bouquet of tissue paper flowers to keep or give away.
Free with museum admission.

Let’s Make History! Hobbyhorses
Sunday, May 17, 1–2:30 pm
Hobby- and rocking horses were favorite toys during the 18th and 19th centuries. See the Cisco Kid stick horse in the Imagination Gallery. Then make a hobbyhorse of your own. Free with museum admission.

Third Sunday Jam With the Western Music AssociationSunday, May 17, 1–3 pmCome the third Sunday of every month for a free-flowing jam celebrating the musical heritage of the American West. Free with museum admission.
See attached image by Maria Ventura

The American Mustang: Book Signing With Deanne Stillman
Sunday, May 17, 2–3:30 pm
Critically acclaimed writer Deanne Stillman returns to discuss her book, Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West. The Los Angeles Times named it a “Best Book of 2008.” Inspired by the 1998 killing of 34 mustangs near Reno, Mustang provides a fascinating narrative chronicling the enduring journey and history of the American mustang. Free with museum admission.

Family Playhouse: Wind Chimes
Sunday, May 31, 1–2:30 pm
The Chinese are credited with inventing wind chimes or wind bells (feng-ling) over 3,000 years ago. Visit the Family Discovery Gallery and make a set of wind chimes for your home. Free with museum admission.

Latin Jazz Fusion: CSULA Afro-Latin Student Ensemble
Sunday, May 31, 6–9 pm
Experience an electrifying evening of music and dance inspired by the musical cultures of the Caribbean and Latin jazz performed by Cal State L.A.’s award-winning Afro-Latin Ensemble. Directed by Dr. Paul De Castro, leader of the group Orquesta Dengue. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. Autry members: Free / Nonmembers: $5.

JUNE

Special Show and Sale
Fine Native American and Mexican Jewelry From Santa Fe Crafts
Thursday and Friday, June 11–12, 10 am–4 pm
Saturday and Sunday, June 13–14, 11 am–5 pm
Barbara Golden and John Selmer of Santa Fe Crafts have been traveling throughout the West since 1984, searching for the highest quality Native American jewelry and art and vintage Mexican jewelry to offer for sale to some of the finest museums and galleries. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase these treasures. Admission is free.

Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing
Opening Day: June 12, 10 am–4 pm
Exhibit Run: June 12–October 4, 2009
The American West is home to much of the world’s most beautiful and challenging mountaineering, and the towering granite walls of Yosemite Valley are the ultimate proving ground for rock climbers from around the globe. Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing brings visitors to the edge of infinity to experience the exhilarating rush and harrowing perils of this most extreme of Western adventures. This original exhibition is produced by the Yosemite Climbing Association, the Yosemite Fund, and the Autry National Center of the American West. Free with museum admission.

Let’s Make History! Star Whirler
Saturday, June 13, 1–2:30 pm
Take a walk through the new Sparkle and Twang exhibition, and then join us to create a little star power of your own. Free with museum admission.

Western Music Association’s Western Music Celebration Starring Cody Bryant and the Riders of the Purple Sage Sunday, June 14, 2–5 pmSinger, songwriter, and band leader Cody Bryant lives and breathes American roots music. He and the Riders of the Purple Sage pay homage to familiar melodies from movies and cowboy music (Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Ghost Riders in the Sky, Cool Water), mix in some catchy new originals, add a few burning bluegrass-inspired instrumentals, and make an occasional nod to Jerry Garcia’s New Riders of the Purple Sage of the 1970s. Autry members: $20 / Nonmembers: $25 / Children under 12: $10. Tickets can be purchased either at the Wells Fargo Theater on the day of the concert or in advance by contacting Marilyn Tuttle at 818.365.8709 or e-mailing lindaleegreen@earthlink.net.

Western Music Association’s Guitar Workshop With Raul Reynoso
Saturday, June 20, 1–3 pm
Get hands-on instructions to improve your guitar-playing style from two-time Western Regional flatpicking champion Raul Reynoso. He’s been nominated twice for Best Instrumentalist by the WMA and is noted for his expertise on acoustic guitar and mandolin, with a mastery of styles ranging from bluegrass and Western swing to ’30s jazz in the tradition of the legendary Django Reinhardt. The workshop is $25. To register, contact Marilyn Tuttle at 818.365.8709 or send an e-mail to lindaleegreen@earthlink.net.


Native Voices at the Autry
2009 Festival of New Plays
Native Voices at the Autry’s Play Readings at La Jolla PlayhouseThree new plays by Native American playwrights will be presented as the kickoff of Native Voices at the Autry’s Annual Festival of New Plays. Readings on June 19 and 20 will be held at our partner institution, La Jolla Playhouse. Readings on June 26 and 27 will be at the Autry. To RSVP, call 323.667.2000, ext. 354. Admission to all readings is free.
Carbon Black by Terry Gomez (Comanche)
Friday, June 19, 8–9:30 pm, La Jolla Playhouse
Friday, June 26, 8–9:30 pm, Autry National Center
The Frybread Queen by Carolyn Dunn (Muskogee Creek, Seminole, Cherokee)Saturday, June 20, 1–3 pm, La Jolla Playhouse
Saturday, June 27, 1-3 pm, Autry National Center

Fancy Dancer by Dawn Dumont (Cree, Métis)Saturday, June 20, 4–5:30 pm, La Jolla Playhouse
Saturday, June 27, 4–5:30 pm, Autry National Center


Let’s Make History! Celebrate Father’s Day!
Sunday, June 21, 1–2:30 pm
Go to the Cowboy Gallery for inspiration and create a cowboy-themed mobile for dad. Free with museum admission.

Third Sunday Jam With the Western Music Association
Sunday, June 21, 1–3 pm
Join musicians and cowboy poets as they perform stories and songs of the romantic days of the Old West, contemporary music of the American West, and songs of the open range and the American cowboy. Free with museum admission.
See attached image by Maria Ventura

Dance Camera West Presents Indigenous Dance Artists in Contemporary Culture
Sunday, June 21, 2 pm
This annual citywide festival of dance films features two documentaries about major Indigenous dance figures. Byron Chief-Moon is featured in Byron Chief-Moon: Gray Horse Rider (48 minutes). Water Flowing Together (77 minutes) follows the groundbreaking path of Navajo ballet star Jock Soto. Films will be followed by a discussion with the director of Byron Chief-Moon: Gray Horse Rider, Philip Szporer. His appearance is sponsored by Quebec Government Office–Los Angeles. Autry and Dance Camera West members: $7 / Nonmembers: $10.

Los Angeles Opera’s One-Ten Project
Saturday, June 27, 11:30 am
Come hear a staged reading of a new one-act opera about the 110 Freeway. The Autry and other local institutions are involved in helping to develop this project by gathering freeway stories from the community. Meet the artists and experience one of L.A.’s most important automotive and cultural lifelines in this unique presentation. Free.

Family Playhouse: Dragon Boat Puppets
Sunday, June 28, 1–2:30 pm
Dragon boat racing is one of China’s most ancient traditions. Explore the Family Discovery Gallery to learn about some of the See family’s traditions, and make dragon boat puppets to race at home. Free with museum admission.

About the Autry National Center of the American West
The Autry National Center of the American West is an intercultural history center that includes the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of the American West (formerly the Autry Museum of Western Heritage), and the Institute for the Study of the American West. Each institution maintains its individual identity; however, the convergence of resources allows us to expand our understanding of the diverse peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inform our shared future. The Autry National Center’s executive offices are located in Griffith Park.

Effective March 10, 2009, the Autry National Center of the American West’s hours of operation at its Griffith Park location have changed. The new weekday hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Museum Store’s new weekday hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours for the museum and the museum store are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursdays from June 1 to August 31, hours for the museum and museum store are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum and museum store continue to be closed on Mondays.

Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for students and seniors 60+, $3 for children 3–12, and free for Autry members, veterans, and children 2 and under. Admission is free on the second Tuesday of every month.