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The National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the first Saturday of summer—“Solstice Saturday”— beginning with an afternoon of Andean music, dance and family friendly activities celebrating the Great Inka Road. At 7 p.m., the celebration becomes the Solstice Illuminated Dance Party, taking place on the museum’s Welcome Plaza. There will be a DJ, refreshments, fun and food with all galleries open through the night.
3–7 p.m. —Solstice Saturday: Celebrate the Sun!
Don’t miss the museum’s annual Solstice Saturday, which opens with traditional Bolivian dancing by Tradiciones Bolivianas, Tinkus Llajtaymanta and Centro Cultural Bolivia, and music by Tarqueada VA USA. Make your own Andean fan based on the “chakana” (a symbol indicating the four cardinal directions) and add luminescent embellishments to show off later in the evening. Get inspired by the solar and lunar imagery throughout the museum and decorate your own canvas bag to take home.
7–9:30 p.m.—Solstice Illuminated Dance Party
Grab a glow stick and dance to a DJ on the Welcome Plaza. Local food trucks and the Museum’s Mitsitam Café Espresso Bar will be available with food and drink to purchase. Be sure to visit the museum’s membership table with your member card to receive a special gift (or join that evening). Cool off with a walk through the indoor galleries, which also will be open through the night. When the sun goes down, bring your luminescent fan and join a “comparsa Iluminada”—an illuminated procession—from the festivities to an outdoor gathering on the Welcome Plaza.
