Press Release Phoenix, AZ, April 4, 2011 MIM’s First Anniversary Weekend: Listen to the World Arizona’s own global superstar, platinum-recording artist Jordin Sparks will perform a benefit concert on Friday, April 29, to kick off the Musical Instrument Museum’s (MIM) monumental one-year anniversary celebration weekend. Since opening on April 24, 2010, the museum already has been acclaimed as a world-class cultural institution and welcomed more than 200,000 guests. The special Friday evening concert, titled “Jordin Sparks and Friends,” will include performances by spoken-word artist and songwriter Marshall “Soulful” Jones, who has composed an inspirational poem in MIM’s honor, and by Radio France International’s "Best New African Artist" award winner, Ugandan musician Maurice Kirya. The evening will also include a reception with live music, wine, and hors d’oeuvres. Guests can continue the weekend celebration of MIM’s anniversary with a trip around the world through music. On Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, MIM will be alive with international sounds from both far and near. Among artists who will perform are Alaska’s fiddling poet Ken Waldman; the Tetra String Quartet, with their youthfully exuberant classical style; the Phoenix-based Bad Cactus Brass Band, specializing in Mardi Gras music; the reggae Walt Richardson Trio; and the Dry River Yacht Club, with their eclectic blend of Gypsy and Western folk rock music. Music and dance performers will include Grupo Liberdade, accompanying the SambAZ dancers with upbeat Latin American music; fivetime world hoop champion Derrick Davis; the Deja Dance Collective, with their cool global-dancing moves; dancers from the Ho’oulu Polynesian Dance School; and the ASU Drum and Dance Ensemble. There will also be a didjeridu performance, a taiko-drum class/demo, and other hands-on activities. All of these events will be included in the museum admission fee. Also featured among the festivities will be a special screening on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. in the MIM Music Theater of the captivating new documentary about MIM, Listen to the World, with a special appearance by the film’s producer. “I’m really excited to be part of MIM’s first anniversary,” said Jordin Sparks about her upcoming performance on April 29. “The museum is such an important addition to the Phoenix area, and I am looking forward to performing in the spectacular theater, and to building a long-term partnership with MIM. I’m sure it will be a very special evening.” Sparks, who lives in Glendale, AZ, rose to fame in 2007 as the youngest winner of American Idol; she was only seventeen years old at the time. MIM’s first anniversary celebration is sponsored in part by Sanderson Ford Lincoln Volvo. Musical Instrument Museum First Anniversary Weekend Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 1, 2011 Tickets for Friday’s “Jordin Sparks and Friends” benefit concert are $75–$95. Proceeds to benefit a MIM community outreach program in partnership with The M.A.D. (Making a Difference) Girls, Inc. Purchase tickets to concerts online at www.theMIM.org, in person at MIM, or by calling the MIM Ticket Office at 480.478.6000. All other events are included with museum admission. Programming subject to change. MIM is located at 4725 E Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050 *** About Jordin Sparks Grammy-nominated artist Jordin Sparks’s self-titled debut and sophomore albums, Battlefield (19 Recordings/Jive Records), feature the chart-topping hits “Tattoo,” “No Air,” “Battlefield,” and “One Step at a Time” and have sold over 1.6 million copies worldwide. Cumulatively, these popular singles have sold almost 9 million downloads/ringtones. Sparks has received American Music, People’s Choice, and Teen Choice Awards as well as Grammy and multiple MTV VMA nominations. She has also toured extensively with Alicia Keys, the Jonas Brothers, and Britney Spears and in 2010 did her first headlining tour. Sparks just made her Broadway debut in the summer of 2010 with a leading role in the Tony and Grammy award-winning Best Musical, In The Heights. Sparks also recently released her first fragrance, Because of You, available for sale at retailers nationwide. This multifaceted performer is also known for her charitable efforts, which include the volunteer initiative she created with her brother P.J. called the “I’m M.A.D. Are You?” campaign. M.A.D. stands for making a difference, and it is managed exclusively by The M.A.D. Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization that works with individuals and organizations to identify and implement projects that benefit a cause or humanitarian effort of interest. (www.facebook.com/jordinsparks< About MIM MIM enriches the world community by collecting, preserving, and making accessible high-quality musical instruments, images, and music from every country in the world. We celebrate our world’s diverse musical cultures and foster global understanding by offering our guests an incomparable interactive experience, a welcome and fun environment, dynamic programming, and exceptional musical performances. For Jordin Sparks: Victoria Varela [email protected] For more information about MIM: Karen Farugia, Marketing Director Tel. 480.478.6048 [email protected]