FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kate Hendrickson
PR & Marketing Coordinator
410-864-2681
[email protected]
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Port Discovery
Baltimore, MD (September, 2008) – Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and
recognize the contributions of Latinos in the United States. Starting September 13, Port
Discovery Children’s Museum will offer programs to coincide with Hispanic Heritage
Month (September 15 to October 15). During four weekends in September and October,
visitors will have the opportunity to participate in different Hispanic based programs.
Dates and programs are listed below:
September 13
Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off
Join Port Discovery for their Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off with interactive
performances with PBS KIDS Host, Miss Rosa, as she guides children through story
times using bilingual picture books.
Also, visitors can enjoy fun and educational activities focusing on Hispanic heritage such
as Animal Pendants presented by the Walters Art Museum; balloon sculpting with
Bubbles The Clown; story time with Pets on Wheels; Sing-a-longs with Pam Minor, The
Kindersinger; HHC souvenir DVDs presented by Best Buy; as well as visits from Carlos
Garcia of the Baltimore Blast, the Baltimore Fire Department, the Museum of Dentistry,
The Family Tree and many more!
September 14
Latin Drumming in MPT Studio
Visitors can enjoy a Latin twist on the museum’s popular World Rhythm Drum Circus.
September 20
Ojo de Dios
The Ojo de Dios or God's Eye is an ancient symbol made by the Huichol of Mexico. The
central eye was made when a child was born. Each year, a bit of yarn was added until
the child turned five, at which point the Ojo was complete. Visitors will have the
opportunity to make their own Ojo de Dios.
September 27
Papel Picado
Papel picado, which translated means punched paper, is a traditional art form in Mexico
that dates back to Aztecs. You can find papel picado decorations all over Mexico on
Independence Day, Christmas and many other holidays. In this program, children will
learn about the tradition of papel picado and create their own.
September 28
Latin Drumming in MPT Studio
Visitors can enjoy a Latin twist on the museum’s popular World Rhythm Drum Circus.
October 4
Vejigante Masks
A Vejigante (bay-he-GHAN-tay) is a make-believe character that is full of energy and
color. These masks are classic examples of the fusion of African, Spanish and Caribbean
cultures in Puerto Rico. Visitors will learn about these characters and create their own
Vejigante masks.
October 11
Shekere
The Shekere is a percussion instrument found in the Americas and the Caribbean. It is
made from a hollowed out gourd covered with a net of beads. Originally from Africa, this
instrument can be found in the Americas as well as the Caribbean. Visitors will have the
opportunity to create their own shekere to make music with.
October 12
Latin Drumming in MPT Studio
Visitors can enjoy a Latin twist on the museum’s popular World Rhythm Drum Circus.
PORT DISCOVERY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Port Discovery Children’s Museum provides experiences that ignite imagination, inspire learning and nurture
growth through play. Port Discovery offers 3 floors of educational, interactive and hands-on/minds-on
th
experiences designed for children ages 2-10 years of age and is currently ranked 4 among the Top 10
Children’s Museums in the United States by Child Magazine (February 2002).
The former Baltimore Children’s Museum, originally housed in The Cloisters in Lutherville, Maryland, was relocated to the historic Fish Market building in downtown Baltimore and re-opened as Port Discovery in
December 1998; Walt Disney Imagineering designed the Museums permanent exhibits.
Port Discovery Children’s Museum has served over 2.5 million visitors and continues to grow as one
of the leading non-traditional educational resources in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Imagine! Play! Learn! Grow!
Admission Information
$11.75 for ages 2-102!
FREE for children under 2 and Members.
Hours of Operation
September
Friday: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday: 10am – 5 pm
Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
October – May
Tuesday – Friday: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm
*The Museum is open on the following Maryland Public School Holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
President’s Day, Monday before and after Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Monday after
Christmas.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
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