Wednesday, May 27 – Muppet History 101 with special guest Craig Shemin

Learn your Muppet history! This is material you won’t see anywhere else: early TV appearances, commercials, guest spots on the “Dick Cavett Show,” and more! Plus, this program contains the rarely-seen pilot for “The Muppet Show”—“The Muppets: Sex and Violence.”

Craig Shemin is a former Jim Henson Company staff writer, who began with the Henson organization in 1988. His Muppet writing credits include Muppet press interviews and appearances, and text for licensed products, and video games. He also co-wrote The Muppet Show Live. Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy.

Saturday, May 30  –  Muppet Music Moments film screening

Music was always an integral part of “The Muppet Show,” and we have assembled a collection of some of the classic musical numbers interpreted as only the Muppets can. This compilation features a wide range of musical genres including performances by guest stars Harry Belafonte, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, and many more. Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy.

Saturday, May 30 – Carter Family Marionettes present "The Knight & the Mermaid”

Time: Shows at 1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

Venue: EMP|SFM Sky Church 325 5^th Ave N.

EMP|SFM offers free admission and live music from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the first Thursday of every month.

June’s All Access Night includes the final performance of the school year by EMP|SFM’s student band, Experience: The Band in Sky Church at 5:30 and 6:30 pm.

Experience: The Band began in fall 2007 as a partnership between Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM) and the Berklee College of Music’s City Music Network.

This year-long, innovative, full scholarship program integrates instrumental and vocal instruction in rock and jazz, ensemble performance and musicianship classes with state-of-the-art online learning materials.

Experience: The Band rehearses together every Saturday from late September to early June, with several public performances scheduled throughout the year. Band members are also eligible to be considered for scholarships to Berklee College of Music’s five-week summer performance program, as well as full-tuition scholarships to Berklee College of Music.

Come support these talented young musicians!

All Access Nights are sponsored by The Boeing Company.

Venue: Sky Church at EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

Wednesday, June 10 – Commercials and Experiments with special guest Karen Prell

A mind-blowing collection of shorts, crazy commercials, and other rarities from the Henson vault. Highlights include an industrial film for Wilson’s Meat that must be seen to be believed, excerpts from experimental TV programs “The Cube” and ”Youth ‘68,” and Time Piece, an 8-minute masterpiece that showcases Henson’s talent for making music out of everyday sounds.

Karen Prell is a puppeteer and animator. She first worked with Jim Henson in 1979 on “Sesame Street.” She is best known as Red Fraggle on “Fraggle Rock.” Prell also performed on “The Muppet Show,” Dreamchild and Labyrinth. Prell now works in computer animation, including several Pixar projects, A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2. Recent animation credits have included The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Son of the Mask and Frank Oz's The Stepford Wives.

Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy.

Tuesday, June 16 – Exposed: Inside Film screening of The Dark Crystal

Join us for a screening of The Dark Crystal. Mixing elements of Tolkien and fairy tales, Jim Henson and Frank Oz create a fantastic world ruled by the hulking dragon-like Skeksis, where an elf-like orphan must defeat them. Using a mix of puppetry, marionettes and more, The Dark Crystal creates a stunning world rarely equaled in any fantasy film, yet rooted in universal myth.

Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy.

Saturday, June 20 – EMP|SFM's 9th Birthday Celebration and Family Day

Join us for EMP|SFM's 9th Birthday Celebration, Family Day and the popular, limited-run exhibition, Jim Henson's Fantastic World!

In celebration of the museum's 9th birthday, Washington state residents will receive $9 admission to the museum as well as a 10% discount in the museum's stores.

Families, take advantage of the special Family Day programming in honor of Jim Henson's Fantastic World:

Art of Puppetry and Storytelling film screening, JBL Theater at EMP|SFM, 3 p.m.

Go behind the scenes to witness the magic of the Muppets in this compilation of rare footage of the variety of puppetry created by Jim Henson. See a classic episode of “The Muppet Show” (1979) directed by Philip Casson. A special highlight of the program, Harry Belafonte sings an African song with puppets derived from traditional masks. Another kind of puppetry is used in The Storyteller: “The Heartless Giant” (1989) directed by Jim Henson. In this episode of the remarkable TV series based on classic folk tales, an evil giant — who has hidden his heart so he will feel no emotion — tricks young prince Leo into releasing him from his dungeon. Consumed with guilt, Leo searches for the heart and learns about friendship and betrayal.

Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy.

A puppet-making activity with John Kennedy, The Rec Room at EMP|SFM, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

John Kennedy is a puppeteer who has performed on various Muppet projects since the early 1990s. In recent years Kennedy has developed a career as an author and written two popular puppet making books, Puppet Mania! and Puppet Planet.

Family Days are sponsored by IKEA.

Time: Family Day: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,

Venue: EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

Tickets:Free to EMP|SFM members or with paid admission.

Information: Call 206-770-2702 or 1-877-EMP-SFM1

Monday June 22 – Summer Day Camps begin

Information: Pre-registration required; visit empsfm.org/education for a comprehensive schedule. For additional information, call 206-770-2760 or e-mail camps@empsfm.org.

Saturday, June 27 – 2009 Science Fiction Hall of Fame Induction

Four science fictions luminaries will be inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Those being honored this year are author Connie Willis, artist Michael Whelan, editor Edward Ferman and artist Frank R. Paul. This year, the annual celebration will be a part of the annual Locus Awards/Science Fiction Weekend at the Lake Union Courtyard by Marriott in Seattle.

The weekend will kick off Friday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. with the Clarion West Party, with John Kessel and other special guests. Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Locus will host two science fiction panels with leading authors. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the Locus Awards Lunch Banquet will be hosted by author Connie Willis; and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Science Fiction Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be hosted by author Christopher Moore. These events will be held at the Lake Union Courtyard by Marriott.

NOTE TO ATTENDEES: Over the years, the Locus Awards have come to include a Hawaiian shirt contest, with raucously fun results. It is strongly suggested attendees don a Hawaiian shirt during the awards to ward off any embarrassment from not being “part of the crowd.”

As part of the induction, the inductees will be featured in laser-etched images on the translucent, glowing Hall of Fame display. The 2009 inductees’ images will be revealed in the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 27 at 6:15 p.m. in the second level of the science fiction galleries at EMP|SFM. This will be an opportunity for museum guests to take photos of the inductees and their families.

Time: June 26 at 7:30 p.m., June 27 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets:Tickets for the Locus Awards/Science Fiction Weekend are $35. The ticket includes a free day-pass to EMP|SFM. Tickets can be purchased at locusmag.com or by phone at 510-339-9198 (9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST). Special room rates, $131.00 per night, are available for the weekend at the Lake Union Courtyard Marriott, 925 Westlake Avenue, Seattle, WA 98109. There are a limited number of rooms at this price. For hotel reservations, call 206-213-0100 and ask for the "P-E-R" room rate."

Information: Call 206-770-2702 or 1-877-EMP-SFM1

Thursday, July 2 – All Access Night

EMP|SFM offers free admission and live music from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the first Thursday of every month.

July's All Access Night includes performances by Tacoma bands Makeup Monsters at 5:30 p.m. and The Nightgowns at 6:30 p.m. in Sky Church.

Thriving in their minimalistic approach, Makeup Monsters, a duo from Tacoma, transform the typical indie rock genre. Their infectious songs and instrument swapping creates a charmingly quirky sensibility that captures the DIY spirit and audiences alike.

The Nightgowns are a 4-piece pop group from Tacoma founded in 2005 as "The Elephants.” Their antics and memorable songs quickly made their shows the most attended in the Tacoma local circuit, and garnered a loyal following in Seattle and throughout the Northwest. The Nightgowns’ released their debut record, "Sing Something" in April 2009.

All Access Nights are sponsored by The Boeing Company.

Venue: Sky Church at EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

JIM HENSON’S FANTASTIC WORLD EVENT

Wednesday, July 8 – “Look Both Ways” with special guest Jane Henson

Jane Henson gives a behind-the-scenes look at creating a cultural phenomenon. See seldom-seen video clips from the Henson Archives, and hear about the early days when she met Jim Henson in a puppet class.

Information: Call 206-770-2702 or 1-877-EMP-SFM1

Saturday, July 18 – Family Days at EMP|SFM

A Better World: Living in Harmony film screening, JBL Theater at EMP|SFM, 11 a.m.

An episode of the rarely seen “Fraggle Rock” (1983). This TV series contrasts three communities—the musical Fraggles, the industrious Doozers, and the giant Gorgs, who all co-exist in a carefully balanced underground world—with those mysterious creatures who live above ground, the humans. Despite their differences, the groups are interdependent, demonstrating the ideal of harmony and peace in the world. Followed by “The Song of the Cloud Forest” (1989) directed by Jim Henson. This beautiful evocation of the rainforest with stunning color graphics focuses on the story of a golden toad who must avoid the “uprights” (humans) trying to capture him. Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy. Free with museum admission.

Sock puppet-making workshop with Annett Mateo, The Rec Room at EMP|SFM, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Annett Mateo's creative endeavors have included designing and building puppets of all sizes including hand puppets, marionettes, and full body giant puppets for theaters, individuals, and festivals both regionally and nationally. She is one of the founding members of Monkey Wrench Puppet Lab, the folks behind Drunk Puppet Nite and Frankenocchio. Annett has lived and worked in the Fremont community of Seattle for nearly 20 years. Free with museum admission.

The Muppet Movie film screening, JBL Theater at EMP|SFM, 2 p.m.

The Muppet Movie (1979) As Kermit makes his way to Hollywood, he assembles his team of like-minded individuals, including Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and more. The songs are wonderful, Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem lay claim to the title of coolest rock band in history, and the film ends on a surprisingly existential note. Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy. Free with museum admission.

PBS’s Sid the Science Kid, EMP|SFM, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Family Days are sponsored by IKEA.

Time: Family Day: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,

Venue: EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

Tickets:Free to EMP|SFM members or with paid admission.

Tuesday, July 21 – Exposed: Inside Film – Labyrinth with special guest Karen Prell

A modern-day Alice in Wonderland. Jennifer Connelly plays a young girl who must travel through the labyrinth to save her baby brother from the Goblin King (David Bowie). Full of Henson Creature Shop’s imaginative design, the film’s eye-popping sets create a whole world existing just behind the facade of reality.

Karen Prell is a puppeteer and animator. She first worked with Jim Henson in 1979 on “Sesame Street.” She is best known as Red Fraggle on “Fraggle Rock.” Prell also performed on “The Muppet Show,” Dreamchild and Labyrinth. Prell now works in computer animation, including several Pixar projects, A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2. Recent animation credits have included The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Son of the Mask and Frank Oz's The Stepford Wives.

Part of Muppets™, Music and Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy

Venue: JBL Theater at EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

Tickets:Free to EMP|SFM members; $5 general public

JIM HENSON’S FANTASTIC WORLD EVENT / FAMILY DAY

Saturday, August 15 – Family Days at EMP|SFM

Muppet Fairy Tales film screening, JBL Theater at EMP|SFM, 2 p.m.

The Frog Prince (1971) directed by Jim Henson. What happens when you kiss a frog? No one can better tell that classic fairytale than Kermit and his friends. Followed by The Elves and the Shoemaker (1994) directed by David Grossman. What if the elves who come to the aid of the shoemaker are actually Elvises? If Rapunzel appeared on Sesame Street, what twists on the story would you expect? See these classic tales through the eyes of the Muppets in this program of shorts.

Family Days are sponsored by IKEA.

Time: Family Day: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Venue: EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

Tickets:Free to EMP|SFM members or with paid admission