On November 7, 2026, HD SOUTH – Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum will host a special percussion workshop led by returning ASU Professors Emeritus Duane and Maureen Roen. The interactive afternoon session invites participants of all ages to craft simple percussion instruments from household items before concluding with a live joint concert performance.
The Bottom Line
- What: A hands-on percussion instrument workshop and performance led by Duane and Maureen Roen.
- Where: HD SOUTH – Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum in Gilbert, Arizona.
- When: November 7, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, with supplies provided and registration required.
Crafting Music from the Everyday
The afternoon event brings the community together for a practical exploration of rhythm and sound. Attendees are guided through the process of building working percussion instruments using ordinary objects sourced from around the home. Following the construction phase, the workshop culminates in a brief collaborative concert where participants play alongside the visiting professors.
Registration is required to attend the session, which welcomes all age groups. Supplies for instrument-making are provided directly by the museum. The gathering is part of the cultural center’s broader autumn programming lineup, adding a hands-on musical experience to the East Valley institution’s historical and artistic offerings.
Exhibits and Ongoing Museum Programs
The November 7 percussion workshop joins several ongoing seasonal displays currently hosted at the Gilbert facility.
| Exhibit or Program | Dates | Location / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Make and Play | November 7, 2026 | HD SOUTH (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm) |
| Vintage School Books | September 7 – November 16, 2026 | Included with museum admission |
| Glen Canyon Exposed — Dawn Kish | October 24, 2026 – February 20, 2027 | Gallery 4 |
Additionally, Gallery 4 currently features “Glen Canyon Exposed” by artist Dawn Kish, a traveling photographic and film exhibition scheduled to run through February 20, 2027. The display pairs 1950s imagery captured by Tad Nichols with contemporary photographs and includes the film Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed, which premiered at the Banff International Film Festival in 2022.
November Cultural Offerings and Community Events
The museum’s schedule features a community book club hosted in partnership with Literally, A Bookshop, meeting on November 2nd and November 16th, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Participants bring their lunch to the bi-monthly club to discuss the novel The Three Graces of Pearl Street
across both sessions, though advance registration is required and limited to the first 12 registrants. Additional November programming includes line dancing instruction led by local instructor Jennifer Sherman on November 2, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On December 5, the museum will host Breakfast with Santa, a holiday fundraiser featuring cookie decorating, face painting, ornament making, storytelling, and photos with Santa, with tickets on sale until November 25th. Furthermore, a vintage camera exhibit will be on display from November 23, 2026, through February 8, 2027, included in the price of museum admission.
