Press Release: Ancient Chinese Story Comes to Life at LICM

Travel to a far-away land with a magical and mischievous monkey as your guide in the new traveling exhibit opening at the Long Island Children’s Museum this September. Monkey King: A Story from China introduces children to the ancient Chinese tale, Journey to the West, a story of a mischievous monkey who will take visitors on a journey that finds him creating havoc in the Heavenly Palace, meeting Buddha, and overcoming numerous challenges, all the while teaching about China’s rich culture.

Passed down through the centuries, children have leaned this story from their grandparents, read it in school books and watched Monkey’s antics on television and film. His popularity has made him the star of opera stages and video games. In this exhibit, visitors will travel along with Monkey and his friends Xuanzang, Pigsy and Sandy on their journey to bring back sacred items to China. Along the way the four friends encounter many obstacles and learn some valuable lessons in the process. A dozen imagination-powered stations are set up throughout the exhibit to engage children in this rich story. During their visits, children can try on Monkey’s costumes, soar on a cloud with Monkey, put on a puppet show or transform into an animal of their choice to battle the Bull Demon.

“This exhibit will appeal to all ages including adult,” says LICM Executive Director Suzanne LeBlanc.  "Children will find the main characters exciting and magical and adults will enjoy the important life lessons and values the characters represent. It offers a fun way to introduce children to a new culture and share a story that has endured for generations.”

The exhibit will open September 25 and run through January 3, 2010. Commencing with the opening weekend, special Monkey King programs and performances have been planned to extend the educational experience. The programs tie thematically to LICM’s monthly themes and high visitation periods.

The presentation schedule includes performances by Chinese Theatre Works (CTW) offering shadow puppet performances of Birth of Monkey, family workshops allowing children to make, cook and taste traditional Chinese dumplings and explore traditional Chinese art forms including paper cutting, ceramic art designs, opera mask style face painting, fan design and calligraphy.

Monkey King: A Story from China is part of the Asian Exhibit Initiative, funded by the Freeman Foundation and administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. The exhibition was developed by the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Local promotional support provided by Astoria Federal Savings.

All activities will be held at the Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Museum admission: $10 for adults and children over 1 year old. Under 1 year old FREE. $9 seniors. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800.

About the Long Island Children’s Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is a learning laboratory where hands-on exhibits invite visitors to experiment, examine and play. Through lively interdisciplinary activities, children and adults can share in the excitement of the learning process as they explore the world in which we live. The museum is designed for infants through 12 and their grownups. LICM is a not-for-profit institution chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. For more information, visit http://www.licm.org/.
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