THE MCM
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APRIL 2017
PLAY- BY-PLAY
SUMMER CAMP!
BREAKING
FUND
RAISER!
MCM’s week-long Summer Camps are
available for children ages 5-10.
Outdoor Adventures • May 22-28
Secret Agents • June 12-16
Chess Challenge • June 26-30
Actors Studio • July 10-14
Arts and Design • July 17-21
Archaeological Explorers • July 24-28
Culinary Chemistry • July 31-Aug. 4
Every February, adults are given permission to play after hours
at the Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) during MCM’s
signature fundraising event, Ignite the Night. This year, MCM
Partners crossed the pond to celebrate the life of London-town!
After making it past the palace guards, guests boogied to the
beats of stellar British music mixed by Austin Powers while hobnobbing with some of London’s most colorful characters. Party guests
noshed on fish and chips while sipping bubbly British cocktails.
Everyone was invited to snap a selfie with their favorite member
of the Royal Family before joining the Queen’s Tea Party for
dessert! The entire evening was absolutely “brilliant!” Proceeds
from Ignite the Night provide critical funding for the museum’s
operations, including meeting ongoing exhibits, programs, and
outreach needs.
Register online at mschildrensmuseum.org
Thanks to the overwhelming
“community
support of MCM’s
CG TV: TM & (c) Universal Studios and/or HMCo.
SUMMER 2017 VISITING EXHIBIT MAY 20 - SEPTEMBER 10
WE’RE GOING BANANAS THIS SUMMER!
signature fundraising event, we were
able to raise an unprecedented
amount of money--$98,778.24--for
the museum in its efforts to inspire the
children of Mississippi.
“
locally sponsored by
- Alicen Blanchard, Ignite the Night 2017 chair
1 | MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | APRIL 2017 PLAY-BY-PLAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 1
DISCOVERY U DAY
Come & Go 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
OF MCM
MCM STAFF
CYNTHIA TILL
Since 2010, Cynthia Till, MCM’s Special Events and Facility Rental
Coordinator, has been working behind the scenes to help plan and provide
guests with a memorable and unique event experience. Special events,
birthday parties, and other facility rentals at MCM not only offer a unique
location, but support the museum’s innovative exhibitions and creative
programming for all of Mississippi’s children and their families.
Cynthia is a Jackson native and has led a career by planning and executing
events across the country. Before returning to Mississippi, Cynthia worked on
special events in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York.
When she moved back to Jackson six years ago, Cynthia began working at
the museum. “There’s no place like home and no more exciting and colorful
venue than the Mississippi Children’s Museum,” Cynthia said.
Now Cynthia runs not only facility rentals, but birthday parties as well. She plans new and exciting themed birthday parties
for children and makes every experience one-of-a-kind. Her willingness to take on anything with a smile earned her MCM
Employee of the Quarter for Winter 2017.
Cynthia, with her motto of “love all, serve all,” strives to offer the best experience to every guest at the museum, whether they
are playing for the day or planning to celebrate a special occasion.“The museum is a love letter to Mississippi,” she said. “It lifts
up and inspires everyone who walks through our doors.”
MCM STAFF
MERCEDES COOPER
When guests arrive at the Mississippi Children’s Musem (MCM), the first faces to
greet them are those of our staff, typically sporting one of our iconic orange aprons.
However, many guests do not often have the opportunity to meet our behind the
scenes staff who keep the museum running smoothly. Mercedes Cooper, a 26-yearold graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, joined the MCM team in
2016. “I love kids, so this is the only place that stood out,” Mercedes said about her
job search.
After working for 6 months as a bright eyed Front Desk Associate, Mercedes moved
to the position of Finance Assistant. Checking in visitors at the front desk allowed
Mercedes to get to know many of MCM’s members and visitors. “You learn their
names,” Mercedes noted of frequent returners. “They share stories with you in the brief minutes that we are printing out
membership cards or checking them in.”
In her new position, Mercedes is excited to utilize new skills with the Finance Department. “Now I get to see the back end
of how things work. Working at the front desk gave me an advantage since I knew how some things already worked,” she
explained. As far as her love of MCM, Mercedes noted, “I love that it’s a non-profit, and it’s big on giving back to the
community. It’s a family-oriented place. I love the environment, the energy, the colors, the diversity, all of it.”
2 | MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | APRIL 2017 PLAY-BY-PLAY
mschildrensmuseum.org
601.981.5469
HOURS OF INSPIRATION
Tuesday-Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
STAY CONNECTED!
/MississippiChildrensMuseum
@MSChildsMuseum
@mschildsmuseum
/mschildsmuseum
Discover a world of biomedical science with students from
the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC)
School of Graduate Studies Discovery U program. Led by
Dr. Michael Ryan, Discovery U is a program at UMMC
that oversees and promotes K-12 and undergraduate
outreach and research. Bring your junior scientists, doctors,
and nurses to explore the functions of the body with real
experiments!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 7 & 8
“WHEN NIGHT DREAMS”
9:30 am performances
Join us for a very special performance of “When Night
Dreams” on April 7th and 8th at 9:30 am. This performance is a production by Calliope Puppets, led by
Karen Konnerth of New Orleans, Louisiana.
/MississippiChildrensMuseum
FACEBOOK REVIEWS
5 out of 5 stars
March 18, 2017
We had a blast! We took 5 kids
yesterday ages 1 1/2 to 6 and they
all had so much fun! It was my first
time and I was impressed. The staff
were so nice as well. Will definitely
be back.
5 out of 5 stars
March 16, 2017
This was my first visit with my
grandson. The museum was
Awesome. I plan on coming back.
5 out of 5 stars
March 13, 2017
This place was amazing! My 5 year
old and 3 year old loved it! So did
my adult brother and I! We will
definitely go back next time we are
in the area. Very affordable.
TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS
“FUN FOR ALL AGES!”
5 out of 5 stars
March 16, 2017
This Museum is perfect for children
of any age! Everyone will have fun
and find something they love
doing!!!
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
MAD HATTER TEA PARTY
Come & Go 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Springtime brings teatime and garden fun! Join us for a
performance of The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice
in Wonderland at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm.
Families can watch a scene from the story, learn about
proper tea party etiquette, and participate in spring
themed activities & crafts!
MONDAY, APRIL 17
MAGIC MONDAY!
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
MCM will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 16 but
open for a Magic Monday on Monday, April 17! Join us
from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM for extra hours of inspiration!
Magic Mondays also include a special program, The
Food Lab, at 3:30 pm.
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
INTERNATIONAL HARRY POTTER DAY
Come & Go 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Celebrate International Harry Potter Day by mixing
scientific potions, or choosing your pathway to the Slytherin serpents or Gryffindor lions with the Sorting Hat!
Children and adults will be inspired by the literary, fantastical world of Harry Potter and other characters! Costumes are encouraged.
3 | MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | APRIL 2017 PLAY-BY-PLAY
APRIL 2017 PROGRAMS & EVENTS
SUNDAY
MONDAY
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MUSEUM CLOSED
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 AM - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Know to Grow 11:00 am
Tinker with Tuesday 3:30 pm
ABC Come Play with Me 10:00 am
Fueled for Adventure 3:30 pm
Farm Bureau Spotlight 3:30 pm
Discovery U Day
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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30
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Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Tinker with Tuesday 3:30 pm
ABC Come Play with Me 10:00 am
Fueled for Adventure 3:30 pm
Farm Bureau Spotlight 3:30 pm
Know to Grow 11:00 am
“When Night Dreams” Puppet Performance
9:30 am
“When Night Dreams” Puppet Performance
9:30 am
MUSEUM CLOSED
2
3
Visiting Artist: Blanca Love
1:30-5:30 pm
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MUSEUM CLOSED
MUSEUM
CLOSED
FOR
EASTER
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5
6
7
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Know to Grow 11:00 am
Tinker with Tuesday 3:30 pm
ABC Come Play with Me 10:00 am
Fueled for Adventure 3:30 pm
Farm Bureau Spotlight 3:30 pm
Mad Hatter Tea Party
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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11
12
13
8
14
15
Magic Monday
MCM is open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Know to Grow 11:00 am
The Food Lab 3:30 pm
Tinker with Tuesday 3:30 pm
ABC Come Play with Me 10:00 am
Fueled for Adventure 3:30 pm
Farm Bureau Spotlight 3:30 pm
QI?DI! - Child Development
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Shake Out the Sillies 11:00 am
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18
19
20
21
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Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Outside the Lines
10 am - 1 pm | 2 - 4:30 pm
Know to Grow 11:00 am
Tinker with Tuesday 3:30 pm
ABC Come Play with Me 10:00 am
Fueled for Adventure 3:30 pm
Farm Bureau Spotlight 3:30 pm
International Harry Potter Day
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
MUSEUM CLOSED 24
23
25
26
27
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Fueled for Adventure is sponsored by St. Dominic Health Services • Farm Bureau Spotlight is sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance
Visiting Artist is sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission • Question It? Discover It! is sponsored by Children’s of Mississippi at University of Mississippi Medical Center
Know to Grow is sponsored by the Feild Co-Operative • ABC Come Play with Me is sponsored by Weyerhaeuser • Tinker with Tuesday is sponsored by Georgia-Pacific
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Check MCM’s social media pages every morning to see what we are celebrating each day in 2017.
Join us for a pop-up program using that day’s unique theme. #CelebrateEveryDay
/MississippiChildrensMuseum
@mschildsmuseum
@mschildsmuseum
TEA PARTY
Saturday, April 15
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
PERFORMANCES
10:00 am • 12:00 pm • 1:00 pm
SPRING THEMED ACTIVITIES
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Activities are included with $10 general
admission or MCM membership
mschildrensmuseum.org • 601.981.5469
APRIL 2017
/mschildsmuseum