Hang Out, Mess Around and Geek Out with Us
There is an acronym, HOMAGO, that stands for Hang Out, Mess Around, Geek Out. It is an educational philosophy from the digital media and learning field that provides evidence of how young people interact with new media. As a museum professional, I see a lot of crossover in how all people, regardless of age, interact with museums.
Visitors come to MoMM from various backgrounds and with different expectations. Some visit to "hang out" in the galleries and learn something new, others enjoy "messing around" with the digital rail interactives and hands-on spaces, and many arrive ready to "geek out" about their favorite instruments or stage a jam session with friends and families. Regardless of the motivation to visit, MoMM has something to offer everyone, especially as summer ends and fall begins.
September marks the return of a full schedule of the museum's educational programs, a continuation of the concert series and exhibit updates. The month ahead presents plenty of HOMAGO opportunities to learn and play at MoMM.
From K–12 school field trips to adult guided tours, MoMM provides fun, unique and educational experiences for learners of all ages to "hang out." If you're interested in "messing around," consider joining us for Community Music Day on September 13, which also coincides with Grandparents Day. The whole family is invited to discover percussion instruments in the galleries, create simple instruments and make some music in a drum circle. And, if you're a budding musician who wants to "geek out," there are opportunities to join MoMM's adult music ensembles, North Coast Strings and New Horizons Band. Both accept true beginners and amateur musicians!
September's concerts focus on roots music genres, including Scottish roots revival and American roots music. Old Blind Dogs take the stage on September 11 to showcase the rich tradition of songs and tunes from Northeast Scotland, and Dom Flemons and The Traveling Wildfires, a Black string band supergroup, will perform everything from bluegrass and country to blues and string band music on September 18.
Lastly, a new exhibit will be unveiled in the upcoming weeks that features Sam Hinton, a beloved folk musician and marine biologist who gifted his folk instruments to MoMM before his passing in 2009. The exhibit will explore Hinton's life and career as a performing musician and naturalist –– including some unique overlaps of the two.
No matter what you're interested in — from active listening to hands-on music making — MoMM has plenty of HOMAGO opportunities for you this fall. I hope you'll join us for the fun.
