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UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History to host 10th Anniversary of its Winter Solstice Celebration EUGENE, Ore. – (November 10, 2011) – On Friday, December 16, 2011, the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) will host its 10th annual Winter Solstice Celebration. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; admission is free with three non-perishable food items or a cash donation for FOOD for Lane County. The Winter Solstice Celebration at MNCH has become its largest annual event, attracting hundreds of people of all ages for a celebration of the winter season. For its 10th anniversary, the museum has lined up a diverse group of artists and performers for the evening as well as activities for families and children. The events will take place throughout the museum, the adjacent Many Nations Longhouse and Knight Law Center. Jon Erlandson, MNCH Executive Director, describes the event as, “his favorite of the year, demonstrating that museums are essential to the fabric of society as places to celebrate and protect our common cultural heritage. This is a secular and multi-cultural event that welcomes all members of the community.” The theme of the evening is animals in winter. Storyteller Brenda Brainard, a member of Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, will share tales of beavers and coyotes; Dick Lamster, former president of the Audubon Society of Lane County, will give a presentation on birds in winter; and MNCH educational staff will debut its new marionettes for a performance on the theme for children. Other performers include local tenor saxophonist Joe Manis, the Northwest Suzuki Institute, and Eugene Taiko. Artist Susan Pavel will lead a discussion and weaving demonstration near her work in the MNCH’s Galleria. Food will be available for purchase in the museum and cookies and cider will be served in the Many Nations Longhouse. A full schedule of events can be found at http://natural-history.uoregon.edu. Schedule of Events Time Event Location 5:00 – 6:45 p.m. Joe Manis MNCH Galleria 5:15 – 5:30 p.m. “What is the Winter Solstice” Marionette

Show MNCH Education Room

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Dick Lamster Presentation: “Birds in Winter” Knight Law Center, room 175 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. Storytelling with Brenda Brainard Many Nations Longhouse 5:45 – 6:15 p.m. Eugene Taiko Many Nations Longhouse 6:30 – 6:45 p.m. “What is the Winter Solstice” Marionette

Show MNCH Education Room

6:45 – 7:00 p.m. String music from Northwest Suzuki Institute MNCH Galleria 7:05 – 7:45 p.m. Weaving demonstration and discussion with MNCH Galleria

MNCH Winter Solstice Celebration—2

Susan Pavel 6:45 – 7:15 p.m. Storytelling with Brenda Brainerd Many Nations Longhouse 7:15 – 7:45 p.m. Eugene Taiko Many Nations Longhouse About the Presenters

• Brenda Brainard is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. She is currently employed as Director of the NATIVES Indian Education Program, which serves approximately 1200 students in the 4J school district. Brainard is very involved in her tribes’ cultural activities and is a storyteller and basket weaver.

• Eugene Taiko is a community-based Japanese drumming ensemble that has been

performing for audiences throughout Oregon since 1989. Taiko means "drum" in Japanese: the art form includes powerful beats and rhythms and includes multiple drums. Eugene Taiko performs modern interpretations of traditional pieces as well as their own compositions.

• Dick Lamster retired after a 32-year career with the federal government as a park ranger,

park manager and natural resource manager. Lamster is Past President of the Audubon Society of Lane County (16 years) and has been on its board of directors for 25 years. Lamster has authored several natural history articles and pamphlets and developed Nature Trails in federal parks. He currently leads bird watching field trips, gives several workshops a year on backyard habitat, and is the coordinator for the Eugene Christmas Bird Count.

• The Northwest Suzuki Institute offers string instruction for violin, viola, and cello and is a

program of UO School of Music.

• Joe Manis is a strong presence in the Northwest jazz scene most widely known in the context of the Joe Manis Trio. For this event, Manis’ tenor saxophone will be accompanied by Justin Morell on the guitar.

• Susan Pavel. sa’hLa mitSa (Susan Pavel) spent six years as an apprentice under Salish

master weaver subiyay (Bruce Miller) (Skokomish) to become a master weaver and weaving teacher. She is committed to the art of weaving, teaching classes and presenting Salish weavings to Native and non-Native people. An exhibit of her work: “SQ3Tsya'yay: Weaver's Spirit Power” is on view in the MNCH Galleria through January 29, 2012.

Following the Winter Solstice Celebration, the MNCH will host a Holiday Open House Weekend. On Saturday December 17 and Sunday December 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. admission to the museum is free and visitors are welcomed with hot cider and holiday treats. Find unique gifts and support the museum’s educational programs with a purchase in the museum store, Past and Presents. New members are invited to join at 50% off throughout the weekend. Consider giving a membership as a gift!

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MNCH thanks our partner, FOOD for Lane County, and event sponsor Eugene Weekly.

About the Museum of Natural and Cultural History The UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History is located at 1680 E. 15th Avenue in Eugene and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and youths ages 17 and under, and $8 for families (two adults and up to four youths). Museum members are admitted free. Guided tours are offered each Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. About the University of Oregon The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest. Contact, Denise Sorom, Marketing and Communications Specialist, dsorom@uoregon.edu (541) 346-5083. Links: Museum of Natural and Cultural History, natural-history.uoregon.edu and Facebook.com/oregonnaturalhistory ###