California Museums

Bowers Museum events in June include Gems, Jewels and Jazz. Don't miss the exciting times you're sure to enjoy in Santa Ana, California's incredible museum.

Saturday, June 2 1:30 PM

LECTURE: EXTREME WAVES
Author, engineer, and sailor Craig Smith discusses his recent book Extreme Waves, covering both headline stories as well as incidents less well-known. With vivid images, this power point presentation reveals the scientific explanation behind the simple, rhythmic wave to the unimaginable force of threatening, rogue waves. Book signing to follow.
Admission: Members $7; General $9

Sunday, June 3 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

UCLA EXTENSION COURSE: TREASURES FROM SHANGHAI – SUNDAY MORNING AT BOWERS MUSEUM
Course #S9781; Fee $75
The Bowers Museum exhibition, Treasures from Shanghai: 5000 Years of Art and Culture, features 77 sets of objects from the Neolithic Period to the Qing Dynasty. This outstanding collection, on loan from the Shanghai Museum , portrays the evolution of Chinese technology, art, and culture through precious bronze vessels, oracle bones, polychrome ceramics, sculptures, porcelain vessels, paintings and other objects across 5000 years of history. Participants meet at 9:30 AM in the Norma Kershaw Auditorium for a lecture and guided tour of the exhibition by Dr. Lothar von Falkenhausen. After the lecture/tour, participants are free to lunch in the museum restaurant (cost not included) and join Dr. von Falkenhausen’s lecture in the afternoon. Advance enrollment by May 30 required; no enrollment at the door; visitors not permitted. For more information visit the website at www.UCLA.org or call 310.825.2272.

Sunday, June 3 1:30 PM

LECTURE: BELL MUSIC IN BRONZE AGE CHINA

The chimed sets of bells used during ancestral sacrifices in Bronze Age China are one of the great inventions of the ancient worlds. Join us as Dr. Lothar von Falkenhausen of UCLA introduces listeners to the technology developed in manufacturing accurately tuned sets of such bells, and to the musical theory and performance practices of their time. The lecture will be illustrated by sound recordings from bells still playable after more than 2,000 years.**
Admission: Members and Students $8; General $10
Sunday, June 3 4:30 PM – 5:30 Reception
5:30 PM – 6:30 Music

MODERN GYPSY FLAMENCO GUITATIST EMILIO

Enjoy the pleasures of Spanish wine tasting in the S. L. and Betty Huang Courtyard followed by exciting and passionate “Nuevo Flamenco” music by modern Gypsy guitarist Emilio in the Norma Kershaw Auditorium. This intimate late afternoon of Flamenco music and dance features a four piece band and Flamenco dancers. Presented by Balboa Performing Arts Theater. For tickets please call 949.673.0895.
Admission: Members $20; General $25


Thursday, June 7

5:00 PM – 7:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM – MOVIE
DINNER AND A MOVIE: ANTONIA’S LINE
Catch a superb themed dinner in Tangata prepared by Executive Greg Weile before the film. The second in our summer film series, Antonio’s Line revolves around the matriarchy begun by a woman named Antonia who, after World War II, returns to her Dutch village. With moments of magic realism interspersed with everyday realities of life, this is a movie that leaves the viewer feeling hopeful and cheerful. For reservations to Tangata, please call 714.550.0906.

Admission: Members $8; General $10


Saturday, June 9 1:30 PM

LECTURE: THE LAST DAYS OF THE INCAS
Author Kim MacQuarrie discusses his recent book, an epic narrative about the conquest of the millions-strong Inca Empire by 168 Spaniards and the 36-year guerrilla war that followed. His film The Spirit Hunters will also be shown. Book signing to follow.
Admission: Members and Students $6; General $8


Thursday, June 14

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM - Fellows
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM - Members
MEMBERS’ PREVIEW: GEMS!
Join Bowers for an elegant evening that promises to tantalize the eyes as members get the first peek of a segment of the extraordinary collection of Michael Scott’s amazing gems in the Anderson-Hsu-Tu Gallery. Wine and hors d’oeuvres in the S. L. and Betty Huang Courtyard. Tangata cash bar. Co-sponsored by Bead Society of Orange County .


Saturday, June 16 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Join us as the museum honors Juneteenth, the oldest celebration of the ending of slavery dating back to 1865. A day of entertainment, education, ethnic food, and fun! Co-sponsored by the African Cultural Arts Council. For more information, please call 714.543.7379


Sunday, June 17 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

OPENING OF GEMS!
The legendary collection of Michael Scott returns to the Bowers, expanding on the previous exhibition with a much wider variety of colored stones, carvings and sculptures including many “best in the world” examples. The Scott Collection is considered by several to be one of the finest private gem collections in the world outside of royalty.


Sunday, June 17 1:30 PM

LECTURE: THE SCOTT COLLECTION
Michael Scott, retired Apple Computer president, shares an overview of his gem, minerals, and gem-carving collection.
Admission: Members and Students $8; General $10


Tuesday, June 19

ANNUAL BOARD OF GOVERNOR’S DINNER AND LECTURE
For more information, please contact 714.567.3635.



Thursday, June 21 1:30 PM

MUSIC SERIES WITH EDUCATOR LARRY MAURER: FRED ASTAIRE
Part One in the chronological examination of the matchless Astaire career summarizes the single-handed elegance, style, grace, and charm he embodied – from his early days in vaudeville through a Broadway and West End career.
Admission: Members $7; General $9


Thursday, June 21 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

JAZZ AT BOWERS: THE YORK QUARTET
Join us on the green for a fabulous evening of smooth sounds with the lively York Quartet. Straight ahead jazz, contemporary, and spirited! Tangata hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.
Admission: $12 Cover charge
Friday, June 22 1:30

FILM: SPLENDID STONES
Join National Geographic on a journey around the globe to discover the origins of these most coveted gems.
Admission: Free with paid admission


Saturday, June 23 10:00 AM – Noon – Lecture

1:00 PM – 4:00 Workshop at Kidseum
BEAD SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY
Join Peter and Signe Keller on a recent trip to the world famous “Sing Sing” at Mr. Hagen in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea . Each August, thousands of participants representing most of the tribes of New Guinea come together in full regalia to join in this very competitive dance competition.



Saturday, June 23 1:30 PM

LECTURE: PEOPLE AND PLACES WITH RICHARD HUGHES
Via a dramatic multimedia presentation that covers ground all the way from Manhattan to Russia ’s emerald mines and Tajikistan ’s remote ruby deposits, gemologist and writer Richard Hughes delves into the connection between the people and places these gems come from.
Admission: Members $8; General $10


Sunday, June 24 11:00 AM

LECTURE: SERENGETI AND ZANZIBAR
Discover the beauty and majesty of Africa with world traveler and writer Andrea Gappell of Global Adrenaline as she shares extraordinary images of her travels to East Africa . This serves as an overview to those who will be participating in the museum trip in September.
Admission: Members $5; General $7


Sunday, June 24 1:30 PM

PERFORMANCE: THE ESSENCE OF CHINESE MUSIC – BAMBOO FLUTES AND GUZHENG
Immerse yourself in the magical sound of bamboo flutes and guzheng, two versatile musical instruments in Chinese history. Bin He, an acclaimed artist and master Chinese flute performing artist, and his students will traverse through time and geography by performing these 7000 year old Chinese instruments infused with modern 21st century interpretations.**
Admission: Members $10; General $12


Wednesday, June 27 2:00 PM

THE CHILDREN’S HOUR: EGYPT – LAND OF THE SLEEPING PHARAOHS
A summer-long series of enriching one-hour programs for school-age children and their families presented by professional musicians and scholars. In this first program Egyptologist Dr. Kara Cooney presents tantalizing tales of searching for mummies in faraway Egypt .
Admission: $8/Family


Saturday, June 30 1:30 PM

LECTURE: A TIMELINE OF GEMS AND JEWELS
Gemologist and jewelry historian Christie Romero presents a chronological overview of some of the gems on display in the Scott Gem Collection, including dates of discovery and historical examples of the jewels in which they were mounted.