Rhythm! Discovery Center’s family-oriented Saturday programs have quickly become a highlight of the downtown Indianapolis offerings each weekend. This trend continues with two exiting and highly anticipated programs within the next 2 Saturdays as Rhythm! Discovery Center welcomes the nationally recognized Louisville Leopard Percussionists to the Center for 2 shows on March 31 at 11am and 1pm and the University of Indianapolis Percussion Ensemble, led by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra percussionist Paul Berns, for 2 shows on April 7 at 11am and 1pm.

The Louisville Leopard Percussionists is a group of 7-12 year olds from various racial and economic backgrounds with no prior musical training. Founder and teacher Diane Downs gathers the children to teach them a large variety of percussion instruments through dynamic performances of special arrangements from popular and jazz music. The Leopards was the subject of the 2008 HBO Family documentary The Leopards Take Manhattan. Join Rhythm! Discovery Center on March 31 at 11am and 1pm and welcome this extraordinary group of kids performing music at a high level.

ISO member Paul Berns brings the University of Indianapolis Percussion Ensemble to Rhythm! Discovery Center on April 7 for an educational and interactive performance of percussion music. The program includes a performance of Theme and Variations by William Kraft. Similar to Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’ Guide to the Orchestra, Theme and Variations introduces the audience to the percussion section, it’s instruments and the role of a percussionist through music and spoken word. The Ensemble will demonstrate all instruments to each individual in the audience. Other pieces will include ragtime compositions, jazz and solo keyboard compositions. The ensemble will perform at 11am and 1pm on Saturday, April 7, 2012. Advertisement

Michael Kenyon, executive director of Rhythm! Discovery Center, stated “A primary goal of our weekend programming is to inspire and ignite a curiosity for percussion and music making. The setting is informal and ideal for children and families. These ensembles are not only great to listen to but also present the instruments and how they are played in fun and interactive presentations.”

All performances are $8 for adults, $5 for students, and FREE for children 5 and under and include admission to the museum. Rhythm! Discovery Center is located at 110 W. Washington St. on the Northwest corner of Washington and Illinois Streets. For more information about this program and future Saturday programs at the Center, please contact Rhythm! Discovery Center at 317.275.9030.

About Rhythm! Discovery Center
Rhythm! Discovery Center is the world’s foremost percussion museum providing innovative programs; interactive, standards-based educational exhibits; and artist performances. Drawing upon cultures from around the world, the center offers a unique, engaging experience to explore the universality of rhythm and percussion and its role in shaping communication, music, art, performance and society. Walking through the visually captivating exhibit rooms and performance venue, guests are invited to fulfill their dreams of being a percussionist. Rhythm! Discovery Center welcomes you to make your own music and find your rhythm! Advertisement

For more information about the Rhythm! Discovery Center, visit its website at RhythmDiscoveryCenter.org or call 317.275.9030.