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.

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—EVENT IS SOLD OUT, rush tickets may become available 10 minutes before show time.

Saturday, August 1 – EMP|SFM's Late Night Exhibitchin’

Experience Jim Henson’s Fantastic World at EMP|SFM’s Late Night Exhibitchin’, Saturday, Aug. 1 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. EMP|SFM’s new afterhours dance party will feature live music, cheap drinks and super-duper surprises throughout the evening and into the morning.

Start the night out right, and get your inner-Muppet on for an Animal drumming competition! Drums and sticks will be provided, but animalistic tendencies – that’s all you, baby. Dance to music by local rap-pop-rock legends The Saturday Knights, the deliciously funky Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme and wunderkind spin master DJ Electro Wolf. Enjoy $3 beers and other drink specials throughout the night. Oh, and did we mention surprises? What’s a bitchin’ event without a little spectacle here and there?

Prizes for most spazzy and most snazzy Animal impersonations will be awarded. Get the lowdown and save a place in the competition by sending an e-mail to animalrocks@empsfm.org.

Time:9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Venue: EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

Tickets:Tickets are $10 for EMP|SFM members; $12 for the general public in advance; $15 for the general public at the door. Tickets are on sale now at www.brownpapertickets.com.

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

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

August’s all access night will feature performances by local bands Daniel G. Harmann & the Trouble Starts at 5:30 pm, and Elba at 6:30 pm in Sky Church.

Daniel G. Harmann is a folksy troubadour with a delightfully laconic voice and a penchant for heartbreaking melodies. With a band, he's still a heartbreaker but with a full-bodied, sweeping consonance underlining his bittersweet poetry. The Trouble Starts includes Forrest Haskell (bass), and Shea Bliss (drums). Check them out online.

Elba plays "artful, melodic rock with surprising dynamics". "The local quartet ventures into instantly accessible, yet sonically complex and invigorating territory".

All Access Nights are sponsored by The Boeing Company.

Time:5 to 8 p.m.

Venue: EMP|SFM, 325 5th Avenue North

Saturday, August 15 – Family Days at EMP|SFM

Join us for the opening of Spaced Out: The Final Frontier of Album Covers! This exhibition presents 117 space-age themed record album covers released between the 1940s and 1969. EMP|SFM hosts Family Days the third Saturday of every month.

Lounge-pop band, The MoonSpinners, will perform in Sky Church at noon and 1 p.m.

The MoonSpinners are a trio who play 60s-esque inspired music with a modern attitude--pop, mostly, music of various types, soul, girl-group, French pop, lounge-y, jazz-y and garage-y and even some 70's punk. The MoonSpinners combine insouciance with sophistication – and people love it. Free with museum admission.

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

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

September’s All Access Night will feature performances by indie rock band Basemint at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in Sky Church.

Basemint is a four piece band hailing from Auburn, Wash. with a total combined weight of over 645 lbs. Their sound has taken all listeners by storm combing surf guitars, 60's garage rock attitude and a hint of the future in hit making. Do you dare to fall in love with this great band?

All Access Nights are sponsored by The Boeing Company.