AAPI Heritage Celebration

May 11 – May 19

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Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrates the cultures and influences of 75+ countries from the Asian continent to the South Pacific. Stepping Stones is exploring the many ways that people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have shaped American culture with a diverse week of curated hands-on activities and captivating performances. Join us in honoring this rich heritage and discover something new with each visit!

All AAPI Heritage Celebration experiences are free with museum admission.

Featured Experiences
Daily Programs
Special Performances
A Slice of Crazy Pie Puppet Performance
Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 • 11:00 am and 3:00 pm
Step into the enchanting world of A Slice of Crazy Pie, an engaging cabaret style marionette puppet show meticulously crafted by puppeteer Madison J. Cripps. With themes spanning ecology to well-being, this captivating and interactive production weaves interests, viewpoints and eccentricities into a spellbinding journey where you’ll meet characters like Pinkey the Mayor, Ratty Ratkinson and more.
Jeghetto’s Workshop
Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 • 2:00 pm
Come one, come all and learn how master builder and puppeteer Jeghetto creates his unique style of puppets made of found and recycled materials! Set to Hip Hop beats by Detroit producer Omari “Hir-0” Hall, Jeghetto will demonstrate how his signature puppets are made and operated and even invite you to interact with the puppets up close during this interactive performance for all ages.
The Sandpiper and the Whale Puppet Performance
Friday, August 16 – Sunday, August 18 • 1:00 and 4:00 pm
Brought to life through hand-crafted puppets both big and small, The Sandpiper and the Whale tells the heartfelt story of a mighty conflict between the underwater world of sea creatures and the feathered families of birds above. Featuring themes of conflict resolution and interdependence, this enchanting tale from the Marshall Islands reminds us all of the importance of harmony and coexistence.
Puppet Parade
Friday, August 16 – Sunday, August 18 • 1:30 pm
Bring your own puppets and join us to create a parade around our outdoor Celebration Courtyard! Whether it’s a hand puppet, finger puppet or sock puppet, we welcome all puppets of every shape, size and material. Don’t have a puppet of your own? Not to worry—we have plenty to spare!
Spinning Straw into Gold Puppet Performance
Friday, August 16 • 10:00 am and 2:00 pm / Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 • 10:00 am
A retelling of the fairytale classic Rumpelstiltskin, Spinning Straw into Gold tells the story of a young woman who, after being tasked with turning a pile of straw into gold for the King, strikes a deal with a mysterious and mischievous little green man. Performed in an old-time puppet booth and filled with relevant humor and interactive moments, this traditional hand puppet performance has amused and delighted audiences since 1985.
Friday, August 16
All Day
Shadow Puppet Experiment (Self-Guided)
All Day
Puppet Theater Fun (Self-Guided)
All Day
Puppet Exhibition (Self-Guided)
10:00 – 10:30 am
Spinning Straw Into Gold Puppet Performance
10:30 – 11:00 am
Puppet Creation Station: Anything Can Be a Puppet
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Puppet Creation Station: Of Feather or Fin
1:00 – 1:30 pm
The Sandpiper and the Whale Puppet Performance
1:30 – 2:00 pm
Puppet Parade
2:00 – 2:30 pm
Spinning Straw Into Gold Puppet Show
2:30 – 3:00 pm
Puppet Creation Station: Anything Can Be a Puppet
Saturday, August 17
All Day
Shadow Puppet Experiment (Self-Guided)
All Day
Puppet Theater Fun (Self-Guided)
All Day
Puppet Exhibition (Self-Guided)
10:00 – 10:30 am
Spinning Straw Into Gold Puppet Performance
10:30 – 11:00 am
Puppet Creation Station: Anything Can Be a Puppet
11:00 am
A Slice of Crazy Pie Puppet Performance
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Puppet Creation Station: Of Feather or Fin
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Mutt-i-gress: Rescue Dog Storytime
1:00 - 1:30 pm
The Sandpiper and the Whale Puppet Performance
1:30 – 2:00 pm
Puppet Parade
Sunday, August 18
All Day
Shadow Puppet Experiment (Self-Guided)
All Day
Puppet Theater Fun (Self-Guided)
All Day
Puppet Exhibition (Self-Guided)
10:00 – 10:30 am
Spinning Straw Into Gold Puppet Performance
10:30 – 11:00 am
Puppet Creation Station: Anything Can Be a Puppet
11:00 am
A Slice of Crazy Pie Puppet Performance
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Puppet Creation Station: Of Feather or Fin
1:00 – 1:30 pm
The Sandpiper and the Whale Puppet Performance
1:30 – 2:00 pm
Puppet Parade
2:00 pm
Jeghetto’s Workshop

Mathews Park
303 West Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06850
203 899 0606

By Blacktail Media