- The Museum of Science and Industry

Holiday EXHIBIT Guide
November 14, 2008 - January 4, 2009
A Proud Tradition
Christmas Around the World, one of Chicago’s
most beloved holiday traditions, has been enchanting families for 67 years. It began in 1942
as a salute to American allies during World War
II. That year, one tree—decorated by volunteers
from 12 countries—graced the Museum’s hall
and lifted the spirits of our guests. Now the
exhibition has grown into a “forest” of trees and
displays, lovingly adorned by volunteers from
Chicago’s ethnic communities to reflect holiday
traditions from around the globe. Take a stroll
through the Rotunda to discover the originality
and beauty of each of the 50-plus trees, including the new tree from Bulgaria!
Create Your Holiday Memories
Share the spirit of the season and create new memories with your
family in Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light! This year,
in honor of the Museum of Science and Industry’s 75th Anniversary,
our holiday display is themed “Celebrating 75 Years of Museum
Memories.” The Museum’s grand 45-foot tree is decorated with
shimmering ornaments that represent the Museum’s iconic exhibits
—the Coal Mine, Take Flight, The Chick Hatchery, The Pioneer Zephyr—
as well as dazzling silver and red accents and more than 25,000 lights.
Throughout the season, guests are invited to enjoy various dance and
choral performances on the Holiday Stage, as well as special events (turn
to performances schedule for dates and times). You won’t want to leave
this celebration without reading favorite Museum memories that our
guests have generously shared with us. We hope you’ll
share a memory too!
Celebrate a Green Holiday
in the Smart Home
See Chicago’s Greenest Home decked for the holidays! You’ll see the warm,
earth-conscious home decorated in style with eco-friendly LED lights, an
organic Christmas tree, a menorah made from old candle holders, vintage
ornaments, and soy and beeswax candles. There are many tips to learn on
this fascinating exhibit tour, from recycling your holiday tree to creative
gift giving and wrapping! Smart Home: Green + Wired is not included in
general admission and requires an additional time-entry ticket, available at
ticket counters.
Holidays of Light
Holidays of Light, now in its 13th year, is a
multicultural display of holidays that celebrate
light and enlightenment. This display highlights the traditions of the Chinese New Year,
Diwali (a Hindu and Sikh festival), Kwanzaa
(celebrated by African Americans), Ramadan
(observed by Muslims), Hanukkah
(a Jewish holiday), Visakha Puja Day
(a Buddhist holiday), and St. Lucia Day
(a Swedish tradition).
Holiday Shoppe
The Holiday Shoppe features hand-crafted
ornaments, decorations and one-of-a-kind
items from around the world. This year, the
Shoppe showcases ornaments that represent
the Museum’s iconic exhibits such as the Coal
Mine and the U-505 Submarine. Whether
you are looking for a special holiday gift or
something new and unique to add to your
collection, this is a must-see destination
during your Museum visit.
OPENING DAY CELEBRATION
Join us on Friday, November 14, at 10:30 a.m.
to kick-off the opening of Christmas Around the
World and Holidays of Light. You’ll hear from
Broadway in Chicago’s “Jersey Boys”—who will
“sing in” Christmas Around the World in style—
and enjoy ethnic-themed entertainment as the
Museum’s 45-foot Grand Tree is lit for the first
time, with 25,000 sparkling lights!
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
Various ethnic groups from around Chicagoland
will share the spirit of this festive season with
song and dance performances. All activities take
place in the Holiday Stage area off the Museum’s
East Court, Main Floor. Please note that the
schedule is subject to change. And don’t forget
to enjoy choral performances by area school
groups from Nov. 20 through Dec. 19. (Check
the schedule at the Holiday Stage for up-to-theminute information.)
Saturday, Nov. 15
12:15 p.m.Nordikids Musiklubb (Sweden) –
pageantry and singing
2:45 p.m.Old Town School of Folk Music –
Harmonica ensemble accompanied
by a string band
4:00 p.m. Robert Clemente Center and
NACOPRW of Northwest Indiana
(Puerto Rico)
Sunday, Nov. 16
1:30 p.m. Flamenco Chicago (Spain)
2:45 p.m. Harvard High School Elizabethan
Madrigals (England) – Choral
performance
Saturday, Nov. 22
11 a.m.Cambrian Benevolent Society
(Wales) – Song and dance
12:15 p.m.Pachacamac (Ecuador) – Music and
dance
1:30 p.m.Varblomman Children’s Club
(Sweden) – Song and dance
2:45 p.m.Chinese American Civic Council
and Robert Healy Elementary
School Chinese Folk Ensemble
4 p.m.St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church
(Egypt)
Sunday, Nov. 23
12:15 p.m. Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance
1:30 p.m.Oak Forest Park District,
Momentum Dance Force
2:45 p.m. Indian Catholic Association
4 p.m.Svenige Barnen I.O.S. (Scandinavia)
– Choral performance with
accompaniment
Saturday, Nov. 29
11 a.m. Moravian Cultural Society (Czech
Republic)
12:15 p.m.Samahang Kapatid and Sama-Sama
Project (Philippines) – Cultural
dance and folk music
1:30 p.m.Faith Filipiniana Dance Group/
Chicago Angklung & Rondalla
Ensemble/Sampaguita Singers
(Philippines)
2:45 p.m. Slovenian Catholic Center
4 p.m.The Hump Night Thumpers (USA)
– Jug band ensemble performing
traditional American blues, jazz and
ragtime music
Sunday, Nov. 30
12:15 p.m.Children’s Choir Campanella
(Russia)
1:30 p.m. Punch and Judaism (Hanukkah)
2:45 p.m.Flores de Mexico & Affinity Dance
Company (Mexico)
Saturday, Dec. 6
11 a.m. Finnladies of Chicago (Finland)
12:15 p.m. Danish American Athletic Club
1:30 p.m.Norwegian National League of
Chicago - Folk dancing and choral
performance
2:45 p.m.Royal Scottish Country Dance
Society/Chicago Branch Demo
Team
4 p.m. Mangalorean Konkan Christian
Association (India) – Choral
performance, religious pageant and
dancing
Sunday, Dec. 7
12:15 p.m.Latvian School of Chicago and the
Latvian Girl Guides and Boy Scouts
1:30 p.m.Knights of Lithuania Dancers (Lithuania)
2:45 p.m. Greek Consulate (Greece)
4 p.m. Austrian Mixed Chorus (Austria)
Saturday, Dec. 13
11 a.m. Classic Act Choral Ensemble
12:15 p.m.Columbian American Cultural Center
1:30 p.m.Thistle & Heather Highland
Dancers (Scotland)
2:45 p.m.Acapellago – Acapella choral music
4 p.m. Wat Dhammaram Temple
(Thailand) – Thai Music
Sunday, Dec. 14
12:15 p.m.Boliviamanta Dance Ensemble
(Bolivia)
1:30 p.m.Iskra School of Ukranian Dance
and Ukranian Children’s Choir,
Cherubic Voices (Ukraine)
2:45 p.m.Cardinal A. Stepinac Croatian
School (Croatia)
4 p.m. Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society
(Greece) – Folk dancing and song
Saturday, Dec. 20
11 a.m.Kupa’a Pacific Island Resources
(South Pacific Islands) – Dance,
song and music
12:15 p.m.Society of Danube Swabians
(Germany) – Narration, song and
dance.
1:30 p.m. Calima Spanish Dance (Spain)
2:45 p.m. Chicagoland Festival Chorus
4 p.m.
Belizean Cultural Bearers (Belize)
Sunday, Dec. 21
12:15 p.m.JASC Tsukasa Taiko (Japan) –
Traditional drumming and music
1:30 p.m. Alma Ecuatoriana (Ecuador)
2:45 p.m.Polish Scouting Organization
(Poland)
Monday, Dec. 22
2:45 p.m.Holy Cross/IHM Marimba
Ensemble and Children’s Choir
(Mexico/Central America)
Saturday, Dec. 27
12:15 p.m.Tuwamari Ecuadorian Folkloric
Ballet (Ecuador)
1:30 p.m. St. Elijah Folklore (Serbia)
2:45 p.m. Figle (Poland)
Sunday, Dec. 28
12:15 p.m.Renacer Boliviano Dance Troupe
(Bolivia)
1:30 p.m.Choomsarang Korean Traditional
Dance Group (Korea)
2:45 p.m.Federation Circles of Serbian
Sisters and the Church School
of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox
Church (Serbia) – Pageant
featuring Serbian traditions, music
and dance. 4 p.m.Holy Nativity Romanian Orthodox
Church Miorita Ensemble
(Romania)
Monday, Dec. 29
1:30 p.m.Eileen Boevers Traveling Troupe –
Broadway musical revue
2:45 p.m. Mamma Sunshine (Kwanzaa)
Book signings
The readings and book signings will take place
in Rosenwald Court, near the Holiday Shoppe,
and all of these books are available for sale.
Saturday, Dec. 6
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
“Chicago’s State Street Christmas Parade” and
“Christmas on State Street: 1940s and Beyond”
By Robert P. Ledermann
Saturday, Dec. 13
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
“The Best Christmas Decorations in
Chicagoland”
By Mary Edsey
Saturday, Dec. 20
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
“Season of Joy: Chicago
Celebrates the Holidays”
By Jim Benes
CHRISTMAS TREES
Armenia
Austria
Bahamas
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Colombia
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
England
3
32
47
40
20
25
23
18
46
26
39
37
35
41
31
8
38
28
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Hungary
Iceland
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mexico
HOLIDAYS
OF LIGHT
St. Lucia Day
Chinese New Year
Hanukkah
Kwanzaa
Diwali
Ramadan
Visakha Puja Day
43
6
17
1
7
54
29
2
49
27
55
21
45
44
4
53
19
24
14
Native America
Netherlands
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Puerto Rico
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Pacific Islands
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Ukraine
United States
of America
Wales
50
11
33
48
10
51
22
34
9
13
52
15
30
36
5
16
42
12
CRECHES
Italy
Serbia
Trees
and Traditions
For more information
download our Trees and
Traditions podcast at
www.msichicago.org.
19
HOLIDAY
STAGE
3
2
YELLOW
STAIRS
20
7
18
4
9
15
14
10
HOLIDAY
CAFE
11
12 13
16
49 48
999
50
51
47
46
RED
STAIRS
ITALY
53
29
30
31
32
33
45
35
HOLIDAYS
OF LIGHT
52
54
27
28
THE
GRAND
TREE
THE GREAT
TRAIN STORY
55
26
44 43 42
SNOW
SHOW
EVERY 30
MINUTES
34
HOLIDAYS
OF LIGHT
5
8
25
22 23 24
17
6
21
SERBIA
1
COAL
MINE
37 36
41
40
GENETICS
39
38
FAST FORWARD
HOLIDAY
SHOPPE
Museum Holiday Hours
november
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
22
17
18
19
20
21
11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
23
24
25
26
27
28
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
30
11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
DECEMBER
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
29
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
8
9
10
11
12
13
11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
14
15
16
17
18
19
11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
21
22
23
24
25
26
11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
Museum
Closed
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
28
29
30
31
11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
7
january
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
20
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
27
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
15
16
SATURDAY
14
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
9:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
4
11 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
As part of our 75th Anniversary, Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light is sponsored by:
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois (773) 684-1414 • www.msichicago.org
Just minutes from downtown. Convenient indoor parking.