1. Journal
Boston, MA
Democracy Brought to Life
Built on the concept that democracy
requires participation and understanding,
the interactive, educational Edward M.
Kennedy Institute for the United States
Senate recently opened to the public (on
March 31). The institute is housed in a
sleek white building next to the John F.
Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
It holds a full-scale replica of the U.S.
Senate chamber (shown above), along with
an expansive museum space that details
Senate history and process. Each visitor to
the institute receives a tablet computer
that interacts with exhibits and allows for
hands-on experiences. Middle school and
high school groups can participate in
Senate Immersion Modules, which allow
them to role-play as senators and to vote
on contemporary and historical issues.
To learn more, call 617-740-7000 or visit
emkinstitute.org. —Tanya Friedland
Through April 30, “Jazz
Then and Now,” artifacts
and art; American Jazz
Museum, Kansas City,
MO; 816-474-8463;
changinggallerykc.org
Through May 3, “Funky
Turns 40: Black Character
Animation Art from Black
Cartoons of the 1970s,”
an exhibition featuring
some of the earliest positive
depictions of African-
American characters on
TV; Northwest African
American Museum,
Seattle, WA; 206-518-
6000; naamnw.org
April 15–18, 2015 U.S.
Adult Figure Skating
Championships, top U.S.
competitors; Salt Lake City
Sports Complex, Salt Lake
City, UT; 2015usadult-
championships.com
April 17–August 16,
“The New Frontier:
Young Designer-Makers
in the Pacific Northwest,”
innovative works by local
designers; Bellevue Arts
Museum; Bellevue, WA;
425-519-0770;
bellevuearts.org
April 26–May 3,
Eat! Vancouver Food +
Cooking Festival,
workshops, chef dinners
and more; BC Place and
locations citywide,
Vancouver, BC;
eat-vancouver.com
May 15–17, Mayfest,
music, food, beer, Chicago
Kids Day, and the Chicago
Pet Pageant and Expo;
Chicago, IL; starevents.
com/festivals/mayfest
CalendarNew York, NY
The Whitney Expands
With sweeping views of the Hudson
River and nearby High Line Park, the
new home of the Whitney Museum
of American Art will open its doors to
the public on May 1, expanding the
famed museum’s exhibit space
greatly in its new 200,000-square-
foot building. Pritzker Prize–winning
architect Renzo Piano designed the
structure to be a worthy backdrop for the museum’s world-class works,
such as those in the inaugural exhibition “America Is Hard to See”
(May 1–September 27). The facility includes large indoor, outdoor and
column-free galleries; a plaza to bring visitors together at the dramati-
cally cantilevered entrance; and areas for new educational programs.
Call 212-570-3600 or visit whitney.org to learn more. —Sophia Lizardi
april 2015 Alaska beyond Magazine 37
Grown in fertile volcanic soil and roasted
to perfection, the coffee of the Ka’ū
District of Hawai‘i Island is not simply
made—it’s crafted. Along with the Kona
area, to the northwest, Ka’ū has become a
respected player on the world coffee stage
for its smooth and flavorful beans.
The Ka’ū Coffee Festival (April 24–
May 3) will honor the people and
traditions associated with the region’s
award-winning brews. In addition to
tastings, the festival will offer guided
hikes, farm tours and stargazing. The
fun culminates on May 2 with
music, dancing and baristas
showcasing various brewing
tools and techniques. Call
808-929-9550 or visit
kaucoffeefestival.com for
more information.
—Hannah Tyne
Architect Renzo Piano used
bold geometric forms in his
design for the new Whitney
Museum building.
Top,TimothySchenck/Courtesy:WhitneyMuseumofAmericanArt;Left,Courtesy:EdwardM.KennedyInstitutefortheUnitedStatesSenate