August 16, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Trien, 585-410-6359, strien@museumofplay.org
Ahoy mateys! Shiver me timbers! Heave to!
Sail over to Strong National Museum of Play® and weigh anchor for Talk Like a Pirate Weekend on Saturday, September 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 16, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. (presented in conjunction with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, September 19).
Don’t just sit there gathering barnacles! Come and join Rochester’s favorite singing pirate—Gary the Happy Pirate—for a concert for buccaneers of all ages on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Meet Gary in person at the museum’s Everything for Play store after each performance where he will autograph his latest DVDs and T-shirts. (Gary’s merchandise is available for purchase in the museum shop.)
Landlubbers of all ages are welcome to meet working artist Lou Iannone and see his incredible pirate ship, built entirely of cardboard. Watch as he fills the surrounding “ocean” with cardboard sea creatures from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day. Then, use your creativity to help populate this fanciful world with your own cardboard crew members and marine life.
Museum staff invites you to join the crew and sing along to sea shanties or dance on deck to the Sea Leg Samba while you walk the plank, hide the loot, swab the deck, climb the rigging, and more. The museum’s resident Sea Dog will offer elocution lessons that will get you talking like a pirate in no time at all. Hunt for clues and find pirate treasure, learn how to survive on Adventure Island through improvisational role-playing, or try reading a compass.
There’s some crafty fun afoot, as well. Make some pirate booty to take home when you create a miniature treasure chest and fill it with loot, design a paper bag parrot (or other puppet creature), and accessorize your pirate look with hats, medallions, and more.
Bring a new or gently used toy to Strong National Museum of Play® to donate to the Pirate Toy Fund. Founded by Gary the Happy Pirate in 1996, the Pirate Toy Fund provides toys to kids in need.
About International Talk Like a Pirate Day: This parodic holiday was invented in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers of the U.S. who proclaimed September 19 as a day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. At first just an inside joke between two friends, the holiday took off when humor columnist Dave Barry promoted the day in his syndicated column. Media coverage snowballed from there, and the event is now celebrated internationally. (Source: Wikipedia.org)
Strong National Museum of Play®, located in downtown Rochester, New York, is the only museum in the world devoted to the study of play as it illuminates American popular culture.
Hours:
Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Admission Fees
General Admission (does not include Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™):
Adults $9.00; Seniors $8.00; Children (2–17) $7.00; Children younger than two free; Strong members free.
Admission to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™:
General Admission fee plus $3.00 per person for members and nonmembers; Children younger than two free.
Due to limited capacity, entry to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™ is by timed tickets only. Advance purchase is recommended. Please call 585-263-2700 to purchase timed tickets.