Experience France

Experience France
Included with paid museum admission; free for members


Enjoy the melodic sounds of French music and learn how it shaped the culture through enchanting live performances


Supported by Alliance Française of Greater Phoenix and Phoenix Sister Cities Grenoble Committee


Programming supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts


All activities happen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday unless noted otherwise.


Craft: Violin
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Design and decorate your very own violin-inspired masterpiece with colorful details, embellishments, and personal touches to make it truly unique.


Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.


Accordion Pop-Up Performance: Tony Putrino
9:15–9:30 a.m., 10:15–10:30 a.m.
Stroll El Río with talented local accordionist Tony Putrino as he performs notable French songs.


Curator Talk: Violin Business
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Join Matthew Zeller, MIM’s curator for Europe, to explore the life of the violin’s greatest businessman, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, a larger-than-life personality who shaped violin making from the nineteenth century onward.


Classical String Quartet Performance: Phoenix Symphony
11:30 a.m.–noon
Enjoy French chamber music performed by members of the Phoenix Symphony.


French Arias Pop-Up Performance: Arizona Opera
12:30–12:45 p.m.
Hear a beautiful medley of French arias from the Arizona Opera.


Renaissance Music Performance: Bartholomew Faire
1:30–2:00 p.m.
Be transported to Renaissance France and listen to “street music” historically associated with the period.


French Sing-Along Workshop: Helene Bergeon
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Learn French words and sing along to popular French tunes!


Jazz Manouche Performance: ZAZU West
3:15–4:00 p.m.
Experience the music of 1930s Paris with local jazz manouche ensemble ZAZU West!


Robjohn Organ Demonstration: Valerie Harris
4:15–4:30 p.m.
Hear professional organist Valerie Harris play French hymns on MIM’s Robjohn pipe organ.





Weekend Extras Available for Purchase


Lunch at Café Allegro
Offered daily 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a menu of delicious global cuisine with fresh entrées, salads, soups, and grill items showcasing local produce and flavors from around the world.


Shop the Museum Store


Shop the Museum Store for French music, books about French culture, and gifts imported from France.


Members save 10% on most items in the Museum Store and online.


Every purchase benefits MIM and its programs.