Instead of cooling down during the winter, the Toledo Museum of Art heats up during their annual winter celebration, The Great Art Escape. Providing a break from typical seasonal festivities, the TMA will open its doors for special programs, family-friendly events, hands-on workshops, and art demonstrations from Tuesday, December 26 through Sunday, December 31.
The list is too long to mention everything here— such as Giant Chess every day in the Great Gallery, Dutch Cabinet Organ performances, and more— so here are tips on three things we are looking forward to:
1. Rela Percussion returns
The Detroit-based percussion quartet will showcase handmade glass instruments— such as marimbas, drums, gongs, hand drums, bowls, and chimes— during a series of free performances in the Glass Pavilion. Catch them at 11am on Tuesday, December 26, 7pm, Thursday, December 28 and 11am on Sunday, December 30.
2. Peristyle performances
Local groups will showcase traditional dances during a series of free performances throughout the Escape. These troupes’ performances are scheduled for 2pm in the Peristyle Theatre: Wednesday, December 27: African drums and dance with JP Dynasty.
Thursday, December 28: Ardan Academy of Irish Dance will kick up their heels, boasting seven dancers who recently returned from Dublin as 2017 World Champions in Irish Dance.
Friday, December 29: Toledo’s Mexican dance troupe, El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico.
Saturday, December 30: Aha! Indian Dance
will provide a Southeast Asian dance experience.
Sunday, December 31: The Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra will perform.
3. The Antivillians’ annual performance
While the Toledo-based folk band— featuring siblings Sarah and Ben Cohen, along with percussionist Sam Woldenberg, guitarist Petrushka Kharchenko and bassist Lucas Madrazo— have kicked off the past three years with a New Year’s Day show at the TMA, the acoustic group has switched it up for 2017. This year, catch their free holiday concert at 7pm on Friday, December 29 in the Great Gallery.
The Great Art Escape will run from Tuesday, December 26 through Sunday, December 31.
Go online for a full list of special events.
Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000 | toledomuseum.org | Free
