This fall, music lovers will be able to enjoy two days of global music, food and dance, thanks to Phoenix's award-winning Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).
The MIM is hosting its first outdoor music festival, MIMFest, on Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, on the sprawling grounds of the museum. MIMFest is a weekend-long celebration of the power and beauty of musical traditions from across the globe. The festival will present a diverse line-up of musical acts, dancers, street performers and food vendors, all set against the scenic desert backdrop of north Phoenix.
If you're the kind of music lover with an expansive record collection and an ear for new sounds, this is the festival for you. There will be two stages of live music spanning multiple genres, including Latin rock, folk, bluegrass, Celtic and even traditional African.
MIMFest, a two-day celebration of global music, dance and food, will take place this fall at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix — Photo courtesy of Musical Instrument Museum
The MIM will be announcing the full line-up in the coming weeks, but there's already a roster of confirmed acts. Performers will include Tucson's acclaimed Sergio Mendoza y La Orkestra, Latin rockers La Santa Cecilia, traditional folk balladeers Billy Strings & Don Julin, roots rockers Davina and The Vagabonds and traditional Celtic players Socks in the Frying Pan, among others.
Along with live music from around the world, guests will also be entertained by locally based pop-up performers. There will be hula dancing experts on hand to help guests brush up on their hula skills. East Indian dancers will demonstrate the beauty and elegance of traditional Indian dance, and Japanese drummers will present taiko drumming demonstrations. There will also be a brass band and moko jumbies – or Brazilian stilt walkers – roaming the grounds of the museum.
Of course, great music deserves equally satisfying food, and MIMFest promises not to disappoint on this front. Many of Phoenix's most popular food trucks and drink vendors will be on hand to feed guests, including Short Leash Dogs, Aioli Burger, Hey Joe! Filipino Food Truck, Paletas Betty (with their traditional Mexican fruit popsicles) and Four Peaks Brewery.
Admission prices vary, but a one-day adult pass starts at $30. There's also a VIP option ($150 for a one-day pass) that includes on-site parking, access to a shaded private lounge and complimentary food and beverages. Children six and under are free with an adult. Complimentary parking and shuttle service, located just south of the museum at Horse Lovers Park, will be available to guests.
To purchase tickets, visit the MIM website or call the museum at (480) 478-6000. Tickets to MIMFest can also be purchased at the museum's guest service desk.
