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Yalálag—A Mountain Village in México

Presented by Children's Museum of Houston at Children's Museum of Houston

October 30, 2010-February 20, 2011

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Explore Yalálag—A Mountain Village in México! One of the original Children’s Museum of Houston (CMH) exhibits, Yalálag returns with a facelift and a bang on Oct. 30, to provide you with the opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of people who live in Villa Hidalgo Yalálag—a Zapotec village located in the Sierra Juárez Mountains of Oaxaca, México. You’re invited to an exotic trip south of the border to learn about the cultural attributes that give the people of Yalálag a unique take on life!

Yalálag is an interactive new display set in the backdrop of an Oaxacan mountain village. The exhibit explores the customs, daily life and heritage of modern day people there. The realistic environments provide authentic opportunities for you to "step into" life in Yalálag and discover a culture that is unique but shares the same social values we do.

Children's Museum of Houston explores life and culture “South of the Border” Oct. 30, 2010—February 12, 2011. Sponsored by Maseca and Downy Fabric Softener.

So, pack your bags and go on a journey “south of the border.”

WHAT’S THERE TO DO IN YALÁLAG?

• Role-play as shop keepers, consumers, craftsmen, artists, and children in authentically-recreated buildings iconic of the village of Yalálag.
• Participate in hands-on informances and celebrations that relate to traditions and holidays in Oaxaca.
• Experience the importance of craftwork and art in Oaxaca by creating arts and crafts of your own.
• Watch HD videos of important people, places, and things in Oaxaca.

SITES TO SEE

• Central Plaza: Explore the market place which is also the city’s center. It leads you to the other buildings of Yalálag. Discover common Oaxaca herbs and foods, plus their fragrances, and try your hand at weaving on a loom.
• La Miscelánea: This store is filled with soap, sugar cone, beans, tools, toys, just like actual shops in Yalálag. Be the store keeper, learn how sugarcane is harvested and refined and try your hand and exchanging dollars to pesos.
• La Casa: Discover what homes look like, decorated with the region’s well-known black pottery. Learn how black pottery is made, and what places to visit throughout Mexico and annual festivals. There is also a family owned café attached to the kitchen.
• El Restaurante: “Make” tortillas and other Oaxacan foods in this family owned and operated restaurant. Then serve them to families and other visitors.
• Huarachería Aquino: Sandals (huaraches) are still made by hand using a hammer, anvil and other tools. Help run the store and make shoes out of paper die-cut pieces. You can also get a first hand look at the sandal-making process by watching video filmed at the Huaracheria Aquino in Yalálag.
• Schoolhouse: Through hands-on activities, puzzles, and crafts, explore the natural environment and regions of Oaxaca, the important festivals and traditions in Yalálag, and learn to speak/read the native indigenous language of Zapotec.
• Municipal Building¬: Discover artifacts including dolls, pottery, alebrijes (wooden figurines), and traditional costumes from the Oaxacan region.
• Church: A replica of a real church in Yalálag, the facade and imagery adds to the authenticity of the exhibit and highlights the importance of religion in Yalalatec life.
• VW Bus: Take a ride through Yalálag on this real old-time VW bus.
• Bajaj Mototaxi: Take a drive on a cross between a motorcycle and a golf cart, vehicles that have redefined transportation in Oaxaca.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON
Winner of 2010 Click2Houston’s Best “Best Museum,” the Children’s Museum of Houston is a Citysearch.com’s nationwide 5-star children’s museum and one of the top two Children's Museums in the country by Child magazine. Serving more than 750,000 people annually, the Children's Museum of Houston is the highest-attended youth museum in the country for its size. The Museum is dedicated to transforming communities through innovative, child-centered learning and offers 14 galleries of hands-on exhibits and innovative bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. The Children’s Museum operates as a 501(c)(3) under the direction of a Board of Directors and is located at 1500 Binz in Houston’s Museum District. Admission is $8 per person and $7 for seniors 65 years and older and for members of the military. Children under one and Museum Members receive free admission.

Free Family Nights are offered Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. courtesy of The Wortham Foundation, Inc. and Kathrine McGovern and the late John P. McGovern, M.D. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 6 p.m. The Museum is open at 9 a.m. on the Second Saturday of every month for Museum Members. The Museum is closed Mondays but open on Federal Holidays, during Houston Independent School District’s Spring Break and during the summer months from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please visit www.cmhouston.org  or call (713) 522-1138.