Stephanie Greenman Stone (415) 379-5121
sstone@calacademy.org

Pat Kilduff (415) 321-8125

The California Academy of Sciences Celebrates

LATINO HERITAGE MONTH

September 24, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO (August 1, 2005) - Enjoy a full day of artistic and musical activities at the California Academy of Sciences, in celebration of Latino Heritage Month. All programs are free with museum admission.

Mexican Serenades
1 pm
Let songs of love and nostalgia transport you to the Mexican homeland. Performing on guitars, El Trio del Puerto serenades the audience with musica romantica and various regional melodies.

Bolivian Music
2:30 pm
Next, take a musical trip to ancient and modern Bolivia , as The Oscar Reynolds Trio performs on guitar, antara (pan pipes), charango (a small stringed instrument), and cajón (a box-shaped drum). Oscar Reynolds is an accomplished composer, whose innovative interpretations remain faithful to the essence of Bolivian music.

Mexican Migajón
10 am – 4 pm
Watch as Eva Dias demonstrates Migajón, the Mexican folk art of miniature flowers fashioned from bread dough. With the semblance of fine porcelain, these life-like decorations appear in wedding bouquets, azahares (orange blossoms worn by the bride to denote purity), and lazos (rosary-like objects placed around the bride and groom to symbolize their union of love). Dias will use white bread crumbs, glue, glycerin, and acrylic paints to showcase this exquisite art.

The California Academy of Sciences, including Steinhart Aquarium and the Natural History Museum, is open to the public at 875 Howard Street, Admission to the Academy at 875 Howard Street is: $7 for adults, $4.50 for youth ages 12 to 17, Seniors ages 65+ and students with valid ID, $2 for children ages four to 11 and children ages three and younger will be admitted free of charge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. www.calacademy.org (415) 379-8000.

The California Academy of Sciences, the fourth largest natural history museum in the United States, is home to Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and the Natural History Museum. The Academy is beginning an extensive rebuilding project in Golden Gate Park. Pritzker prize-winning architect Renzo Piano is designing the new Academy, which is expected to open in 2008.

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