EMP|SFM opens 2009 on a high note
High attendance at free and low cost events and steady paid admissions, make for a promising start to 2009
SEATTLEExperience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM) has opened the new year on a high note with a promising start to 2009. In January, EMP|SFM welcomed 3,300 guests to its public programs, including an All Access Night on New Years Day, three Oral History Live! events with David Bryan, Jim Sherraden and Al Kooper; an Exposed: Inside Film screening of Pi and EMP|SFMs annual Jazz in January programming.
Excellent attendance during these January events put January 2009s overall attendance numbers seven percent over January 2008s attendance numbers. In total, just over 18,000 people came through the museums doors via paid museum admission or to enjoy EMP|SFMs public programs. Yearly overall attendance for 2008 was up three percent over 2007.
EMP|SFM will continue to provide free and low cost programming in 2009 with programs such as Oral History Live!, Exposed: Inside Film, Pop Conference and its Sound Off! underage battle of the bands competition.
EMP|SFM is proud to host the West Coast premiere of Jim Hensons Fantastic World. This highly anticipated exhibition, organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution will be on view this spring and summer in the science fiction galleries at the museum.
Exhibitions opening in 2009
empsfm.org/exhibitions
Jim Hensons Fantastic World
May 23-August 16, 2009
Jim Henson (1936-1990)artist, puppeteer, film director and producercreated elaborate imaginary worlds filled with unique characters, objects, environments and even languages and cultures. His work is enjoyed in dozens of languages in more than 100 countries. Jim Henson's Fantastic World offers a rare peek into the imagination and creative genius of this multitalented innovator and creator of Kermit the Frog, Big Bird and other beloved characters.
The exhibition features 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards that illustrate Hensons talent as a storyteller and visionary. Among the variety of exhibition objects are puppets, television and movie props, photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and original video productions, including excerpts from Hensons early career and experimental films.
Jim Henson's Fantastic World was organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in cooperation with the Henson family, The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, LLC, and Sesame Workshop.
This exhibition is made possible by The Biography Channel. Additional support has been provided by The Jane Henson Foundation and Cheryl Henson.
Spaced Out: The Final Frontier in Album Covers
August 15, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010
Organized by EMP|SFM, Spaced Out: The Final Frontier in Album Covers presents 117 spaced-themed record album covers released between the 1940s and 1969the dawn of the space age. In the post-war years, humanity seemed on the verge of taking a giant leap into space. Futuristic themes filled popular culture. Space was the place, and everyone wanted to be there. Musicians thronged to the fad, and space themes invaded album covers of every genre including pop, jazz, folk and classical.
These album covers embody the fantasy and mystery of spacewhat we imagined it to be, what we hoped it would be.
Programs
empsfm.org/programs
Sweet Deal Sundays
Sundays in February, EMP|SFM visitors can park for free in the new Seattle Center Garage on 5th Ave. N and Harrison St. Visitors can bring their parking stub with them to an admission desk, and EMP|SFM will deduct their $7 parking fee from a regular paid admission.
All Access Nights
In January 2007, EMP|SFM began offering free admission and live music from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Since its inception, the museum has welcomed more than 42,000 visitors during All Access Nights. All Access Nights are sponsored by The Boeing Company.
Family Days
EMP|SFM hosts Family Days on the third Saturday of every month. Family Day activities can include interactive art projects, live music from local bands, free instrument workshops and more. Family Days are sponsored by IKEA.
Oral History Program
EMP|SFM is proud to have an oral history archive of more than 800 interviews filled with tales from musicians, producers, authors, filmmakers and artists who have shaped American popular music and science fiction. More than a hundred of these interviews are featured in the Sound and Vision: Artists Tell Their Stories exhibition currently on display at the museum. In addition, the Oral History Live! series at EMP|SFM features intimate interviews before a live audience. Recent guests have included, Al Kooper, Krist Novoselic, Billy Cox and Clive Barker. Oral History Live! is sponsored by Wells Fargo and The Boeing Company. Upcoming Oral History Live! events include: Stockpiling Star Wars: Inside Gus and Duncans Comprehensive Guide to Star Was Collectibles Feb. 23 and Perspectives in Poster Design March 11.
Exposed: Inside Film
Through its Exposed: Inside Film series, EMP|SFM screens cult favorites and classic sci-fi films. Each screening is followed by a behind-the-scenes look through an interactive discussion with local filmmakers and experts in the subject matter, or with actors, directors or screenwriters associated with the film. Upcoming films include: Outlander Feb. 17 and Of All the Things April 21.
Sound Off! 2009
Sound Off! is the Pacific Northwests largest battle of the bands. A launching pad for musical careers, Sound Off! has enjoyed hosting many young up-and-coming bands over the years including Schoolyard Heroes, Idiot Pilot, Mon Frere, The Lonely H, Dyme Def, The Lonely Forest, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head and New Faces.
Early last year, EMP|SFM crowned New Faces as winners of Sound Off! 2008, since then, theyve been propelled into Seattles music scene. Just a few months after their win, they were signed by Loveless Records, released their first album, Two Yearswhich was just named top local release of 2008 by Three Imaginary Girls, and played to adoring fans at Bumbershoot.
This years semifinalists include Dearboy, Dyno Jamz, Love Trucker, Schoolboy Gutbuster, Brier Rose, Free City Collective, Makeup Monsters, The Mission Orange, Cyrus Fell Down, Kids Get Hit by Buses, Razpy & The Vigilantes and Sol. Upcoming semifinal concerts are held Feb. 21 and 28, 2009 and the finals are held March 7, 2009.
Sound Off! 2009 is sponsored by IKEA, ShureThe Official Microphone of EMP|SFM, 107.7 The End, KEXP 90.3, KORG USA, Epiphone, Bumbershoot, The Stranger, NoStankYou.com, Orbit Audio, Glenn Sound Studio, London Bridge Studio, Northwest Folklife, The Vera Project and Redmond's Old Firehouse Teen Center.
Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival
EMP|SFM, in partnership with SIFF, presented the Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival Feb. 7, 2009 at the Seattle Cinerama Theater. The annual festival brings together industry professionals in filmmaking and the genres of science fiction and fantasy to encourage and support new, creative additions to science fiction and fantasy cinema arts.
After Hours
EMP|SFM is proud to partner with the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) to present After Hours, a new all-ages event at EMP|SFM designed by teens for teens. After Hours is an exciting, new all-ages event that takes place three times throughout the year. The evening features a dance party with a local DJ in Sky Church and can include access to gallery spaces, live music by local bands and film previews from student filmmakers. The next After Hours event is March 27.
Education
empsfm.org/education
Experience: The Band
Experience: The Band began in fall 2007 as a partnership between EMP|SFM and the Berklee College of Musics City Music Network.
This year-long, innovative, full scholarship program integrates instrumental and vocal instruction in rock and jazz, ensemble performance and musicianship classes with state-of-the-art online learning materials.
Experience: The Band rehearses together every Saturday from late September to early June, with several public performances scheduled throughout the year. Band members are also eligible to be considered for scholarships to Berklee College of Musics five-week summer performance program, as well as full tuition scholarships to Berklee College of Music. Experience: The Bands next showcase is March 21 at 1 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Experience: The Band is supported by JP Morgan Chase Foundation and Puget Sound Energy Foundation.
Pop Conference
The Pop Conference at EMP|SFM, now in its eighth year, joins academics, critics, performers and writers of all kinds to discuss popular music. This years conference topic is Dance Music Sex Romance: Pop and the Body Politic. The conference runs April 16-19, 2009.
Lessons & Workshops
Lessons & Workshops at EMP|SFM are weekend and evening classes for adults and teens 16 and older. This series provides in-depth, hands-on training on a specific music or science fiction-related topic. Lessons & Workshops are added throughout the year. Guitar 102 begins Feb. 18 and Stayin' Alive: Rock Band for Adults begins April 27.
Camps and Teen Artist Workshops
EMP|SFMs Camps and Teen Artist Workshops take youth on a journey of artistic exploration and self-discovery during their spring and summer breaks. Visit empsfm.org/education for a complete list of 2009 camps and workshops offered by EMP|SFM and partners Pacific Science Center and Seattle Childrens Theater.
2008 Wallace Excellence Award
In November, EMP|SFM was granted a 2008 Wallace Excellence Award. EMP|SFM was among eight other Seattle arts organizations to receive the prestigious award, including On The Boards, One Reel, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Opera, Seattle Repertory Theater, Seattle Youth Symphony and SIFF. EMP|SFM is thrilled to be among this impressive list of local arts organizations and to be honored by The Wallace Foundation.
EMP|SFM received a $585,000 grant to expand and enhance youth-driven programming that leverages the museums unique collections and offerings to generate online content for the public. The museum will announce its specific plan to implement the grant later this year.
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Museum Hours:
EMP|SFM is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September 2, 2008 through May 21, 2009 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 22, 2009 through September 7, 2009.
Museum Admission:
General adult admission to both Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM) is $15. Admission for seniors, youth, military and students (w/ID) is $12, and admission for children under 5 is free. One ticket gives access to both museums.
Web site:
empsfm.org
Address:
325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
Box office:
206-770-2702
Current exhibitions include:
American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print
October 11, 2008 July 16, 2009
American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print illustrates the fascinating fusion of art with popular culture and music history. Featuring the work of one of the nation's oldest operating printing shopsNashville, Tennessee's Hatch Show Printthe exhibition highlights the uniquely American posters produced to advertise everything from vaudeville shows, state fairs and stock car races to the Grand Ole Opry, Elvis Presley and Herbie Hancock.
Founded in 1879 in Nashville, Tenn., Hatch Show Print is still a working letterpress and design shop, creating posters today using the same letterpress methods as yesterday. American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print features historical and contemporary posters and original wooden print blockssome never before seen by the public.
The exhibition, organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, is supported by America's Jazz Heritage, a Partnership of The Wallace Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibition is supported locally by 4Culture.
Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels
May 16, 2008 April 19, 2009
Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels celebrates our long fascination with humankind's technological version of itself. This exhibition draws from a one-of-a-kind assemblage of toy robots, which noted designer Tom Geismar has been collecting for decades. Inspired by antique tin and wooden toys, samurai warriors and mid-20th century Japanese film characters, these intricately detailed and beautifully designed miniatures are set against EMP|SFM's backdrop of life-sized robots, androids and cyborgs from the world of science-fiction film and television.
Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound
April 26, 2008 April 11, 2010
Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound illustrates Hendrix's musical evolution from his early days in Seattle, to his time as a journeyman musician touring the southern "chitlin' circuit" and in New York City, to his explosion on the popular music scene in London and beyond. The exhibition and the visitor experience weave together the various musical styles and cultures that Hendrix soaked up throughout his all-too-short journey.
About the EMP|SFM Building
Since EMP opened in 2000 and SFM in 2004, EMP|SFM has welcomed more than 4.3 million visitors through its doors. From its museum planning stages in 1998 through 2007, EMP|SFM has been a key economic driver among Seattle nonprofit arts and culture organizations, with combined EMP|SFM institutional expenditures and EMP|SFM audience-member spending resulting in $580 million dollars of local economic impact. EMP|SFM is housed in a 140,000 square foot Frank O. Gehry-designed building. This spectacular, prominently visible structure has the presence of a monumental sculpture set amid the backdrop of the Seattle Center.
About Experience Music Project
Experience Music Project (EMP) is dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, EMP captures and reflects the essence of rock n roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rocks influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres. Visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the creative process by listening to musicians tell their own stories.
About Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (SFM) is the world's first museum devoted to the thought-provoking ideas and experiences of science fiction. SFMs exhibitions promote awareness and appreciation of science fiction literature and media while encouraging visitors to envision new futures for humanity. In the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, the museum pays homage to the most respected of science fiction practitionerswriters, artists, publishers and filmmakers.
Experience Music Project
Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
t: (206) 262-3245 f: (206) 770-2727
330 Sixth Avenue North Suite 200 Seattle WA 98109
target="_blank"empsfm.org
Current Exhibitions
American Letterpress: The Art of Hatch Show Print
October 11, 2008 July 16, 2009
Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound
April 26, 2008 April 11, 2010
Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels
May 16, 2008 April 19, 2009
Upcoming Exhibition
Jim Hensons Fantastic World
May 23 August 16, 2009
