The Skirball Cultural Center holds a family festival each year to celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights, and the day is always filled with all of the best of everything at the Skirball: something to look at, something to learn and something that sends visitors away with a new sensitivity to the world. This year, the event’s theme is designed to match the museum’s current show, Creating the United States. Since the exciting new show contains a stand-out amount of early American history memorabilia, this year’s Hanukkah festival is called Americana Hanukkah – A Celebration of Freedom. Come join other families on Sunday, December 2 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM and explore the universal themes of freedom and justice during of a fun-filled day that includes storytelling, art-making, musical performances and the chance to visit Noah’s Ark.
The Story Pirates perform throughout the day (11:20 AM, 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM) and they’ll do their magic performing stories given to them by the audience. The Macaroons will be singing and performing their silly songs at 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM and you’ll be able to hear spirituals and freedom songs from The Marcus Shelby Quintet at 12:45 PM and 3:15 PM. Best of all is the leisurely opportunity to see the incredible artifacts (A copy of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, drafts of the US Constitution, etc.) that are part of the Creating the United States show, which is only in town through early February. Kids can make their own dreidels (and play with them in the dreidel lounge), work on a freedom pin, create an original menorah, and eat latkes!
This menorah, called the Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Lamp, is one of the treasures of the museum and will be on display during this event.
Statue of Liberty Hanukkah Lamp, Manfred Anson, 1985. Photo by Susan Einstein
Consider becoming a member of the Skirball so you can participate in one of the year’s most memorable events for free! Family memberships start at $95 annually, so click here to read all the other benefits of membership. Become a Skirball Family Member and bring your family to AMERICANA HANUKKAH for free (up to 2 adults and 4 children under 18). Call (310) 440-4526 to JOIN and save 10%* with a plan that’s just right for your family, then visit Noah’s Ark at the Skirball™ and permanent and changing exhibitions like Creating the United States as often as you like! *NEW MEMBERS ONLY. NOT VALID WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS. JOIN BY NOVEMBER 30, 2012.
TFS Subscribers can enter to win a one-year Family Level membership to the Museum, which we’ll give away on November 30th. Write to us at familysavvy@gmail.com and let us know your favorite thing to do at the Skirball.
Photo of children by Peter Turman
