Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Nature Museum, Workshop 2-4 pm; Concert and Jam 4:30 pm

Donald Knaack (aka The Junkman) travels to the beat of a different drummer. As a conservatory-trained percussionist who has been a member of the Louisville Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic, and a studio percussionist and drummer in the studios of Hollywood, he now exclusively composes for and performs on junk and recycled materials. He makes Junk Music, which is a unique collection of infectious grooves and musical styles that's gaining audiences from every spectrum of the music business--from rock to jazz to world music. Impossible to categorize, Junk Music is recognized by worldwide audiences as eye-opening, provocative, and entirely new.

The Junkman will lead a two-hour workshop on Saturday during which aspiring percussionists may create their own instruments and music using recycled materials and power tools. This workshop is open to young people ages 10 to 16. At the end of the day, participants will create the marching beat for a parade around town. Participation will be by advance registration only and will be limited to 20. This is the only event of the day for which a fee has to be charged (members $30, non-members $35). For more information on what junk should be supplied and to register early, please call The Nature Museum at (802) 843-2111.

Cricketers Patio, 11 am and 1 pm

A professional storyteller who captivates audiences with her dramatic renditions, Annie will spin tales exploring the theme of the Pale Blue Dot, "Endings and Origins," and our relationship with the natural world.

The Nature Museum, 10 am - 5 pm

Where did the idea of Velcro come from? What inspired Icarus, DaVinci, and the Wright Brothers to create ways to fly? In a new exhibit on Biomimicry at The Nature Museum, visitors will get a glimpse into some of the engineering marvels of nature. Biomimicry--from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate - is an emerging discipline that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems.

The Fields, 10 am - 5 pm

How many plastic bags are used each second in the United States? The answer to that question is, "a lot!" Students at the Grafton Elementary School have created an exhibit that will not only tell how many but also show how many, thereby helping us to extrapolate and envision the waste created every second, every minute, every day, every month, and every year and encouraging us to consider what waste we can eliminate and recycle.

Location TBD, 10 am - 5 pm

Ready to get your hands dirty? Then head to the Imagination Station, where you can express your thoughts about nature and the world through a variety of craft projects and recycled materials.

Behind The Old Tavern, 10 am - 5 pm

When hunger calls, PBD participants will have their choice of grazing options, from offerings from ethnic food vendors to The Old Tavern's flatbread pizzas, made with fresh local ingredients, then baked in the Tavern's portable wood-fired oven, called "Big Red," to a full menu at Grafton's newly opened Mack's Café. Lunchtime entertainment will be provided by Trei Arcusi, playing music from around the world.

Another option is to head to the Grafton Grocery Market, a good ol' general store on Main Street, which has a variety of deli and grocery items available. Or pack up a picnic, then pick a peaceful patch along the rolling river or in the shade of a tree.

Phelps Barn at The Old Tavern

Many of the Pale Blue Dot speakers and participants are also noteworthy authors. Their autographed books will be for sale in the Phelps Barn.