Antelope Valley Indian Museum to host outdoor theater event, May 4

California State Park’s Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park (SHP) and Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum will host a performance of the “Owl and the Bear” based on Ted Garcia’s version of a traditional Chumash story under the sky on Saturday, May 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. Local Antelope Valley children will perform the play outdoors at the “Little Theatre of the Standing Rocks.”

The “Owl and the Bear” is a cautionary tale about the perils of vanity in which Muhu the Owl’s need for admiration leads to her good looks being crushed during a big bear hug. Savannah Murga will play the part of Muhu the Owl, and Princess Mayfield will play Xus the Bear. Austin Szintai will play Coyote, and Shannon Batu will play Slo the Eagle. Sienna Batu will play Deer, and Blake Bonafede and Orayah Stevenson will play Rabbits.

The history of theater at the museum dates back to 1932 when museum founder Howard A. Edwards wrote an Indian pageant. It was performed outdoors, near the museum, annually from 1932 to 1935. Edwards’ drama students from Lincoln High School played the main roles, and local friends and neighbors played the secondary roles. Edwards named his outdoor stage “Theatre of the Standing Rocks.”

Advance tickets are on sale at the Antelope Valley Indian Museum gift shop Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the door on a first come, first served basis on May 4. Food will be available for purchase from 6 to 9 p.m., so you can enjoy dinner either before or after the play. The play will start at 7 p.m. and last until 7:30 p.m. After the performance, the museum will reopen until 9 p.m.

The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum. Pets are not allowed. For more information, phone the museum at (661) 946-3055 (711 TTY relay service), or visit our website at http://www.avim.parks.ca.gov. Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AVIndianMuseum.

Event: Owl and the Bear

Time and Date: 6 to 9 p.m., May 4, 2019

Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for children age six to 12. Children five and under are free.

Location: 15701 East Ave. M, Lancaster

Directions: From the 14 Freeway in Lancaster, go east on Avenue K to 150th Street East. Turn right and go south for two miles to Avenue M. Turn left and go east on Avenue M for 1 mile to the museum.

The Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP exhibits more than 3,000 rare objects from the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin, and the Southwest. The Antelope Valley was an important four-way trade route at least 4,000 years ago. The trade route enriched the material and social resources to Antelope Valley residents, allowing large villages to develop near the valley’s springs.

California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at http://www.parks.ca.gov.