'MERRY MELODIES' THEME FOR TARGET FREE FAMILY SATURDAY ON NOV. 14 AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

The Japanese American National Museum presents another installment in its popular series, Target Free Family Saturday, with the theme, "Merry Melodies!", featuring a special Rock Star Workshop, hands-on taiko session, and other activities set for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the National Museum in Little Tokyo.

Generously sponsored by Target, these special Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together. Thousands of family members and visitors have taken part in these special days for free, thanks to Target.

On Nov. 14, the activities include the Rock Star Workshop, both a taiko workshop and a taiko performance, and hands-on cooking led by Kidding Around the Kitchen. There are also arts and crafts available for participants of all ages from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Rock Star Workshop will be organized from 1 to 3:30 p.m. by Rock Star CD Recording, who will bring their mobile recording studio. Participants can take part in their own recording session by reading off a screen and singing along with a backing track. Participants can record their favorite songs and take home their very own debut CD. For more information or to book your own party, visit www.rockstarworkshop.net.

At 12 noon, a taiko (Japanese drum) workshop will be held. While the traditional Japanese drum is centuries old, the development of ensemble taiko performance took off in the post-World War II era, with independent strains in both Japan and America. From three groups in 1973, taiko has expanded to over 200 groups in North America, including ensembles that make their own drums, write their own music and perform at a variety of events. This workshop will enable all members of the family to hit a genuine taiko and learn basic rhythms. At 2 p.m., a taiko performance will be wrap up the taiko activities.

Kidding Around the Kitchen, whose goal is to bring families together by teaching them how to eat smarter, both health-wise and economically, while letting all members participate, will show visitors how to make a delicious veggie soup from 1 to 4 p.m. This recipe was inspired by Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons" and will incorporate Kidding Around the Kitchen’s advice on how to delegate tasks in an age-appropriate way. This family food demo is a "how to" get everyone involved in the family meal. Kidding Around The Kitchen is for families that have full plates in life as well as wanting a full plate of food to enjoy together. For more information on Kidding Around The Kitchen visit: www.kiddingaroundthekitchen.com.

Other activities available throughout the day include participants creating their own tambourines and maracas, utilizing a variety of materials. Also, with the Thanksgiving holiday coming soon, visitors can learn how to make an origami turkey.

The National Museum also continues its special toy drive in support of Children’s Hospital. It asks that visitors bring an unwrapped toy that will be given to a patient at Children’s Hospital, who have the following guidelines: One toy per week that a patient is in the hospital; one toy for a procedure or surgery; and, one toy for a birthday. Toys have to be new, and wrapped. New books are acceptable too. For more information please call (323) 361-2371 or visit: www.childrenshospitalla.org.

Target Free Family Saturdays are scheduled on the second Saturday of most months of the year at the Japanese American National Museum. These special Saturdays are geared toward families have a fun and meaningful time together. For more information on this series, call the Japanese American National Museum at (213) 625-0414 or go to www.janm.org.