
Backyard Bash
A free community festival of art, music and hands-on activities in Marvin Grove and the Spencer Museum, with superhero costumes welcome.
Our Backyard Bash is back, and you're invited!💥 Get your grove on with friends and neighbors in the Spencer Museum's backyard, historic Marvin Grove. Explore art, nature, and culture through performances, games, and hands-on activities outside and inside the Spencer Museum! 🌳🏛️🌳 This event is free and fun for everyone! Come dressed as your favorite comic book character or superhero. 🦸♀️ Backyard Bash is supported by Duane Morris LLP, Jeff and Mary Weinberg, Spencer Student Advisory Board, and KU Student Senate. Check out the list of partners and activities. All stations are available from 1–4PM unless otherwise noted. MARVIN GROVE, Outside behind the Museum 🌈 Rainbow Strings with Sara Gillum > Turn trash into treasure by making Rainbow Strings using recycled and repurposed plastic that you can hang up to brighten your space. 🪅 Piñatas and More with TJ Tangpuz > Be a superhero and smash meteors from outer space that threaten Marvin Grove. Plus, show off your superhuman strength with a surprise photo opportunity. 🐟 Gyotaku with the KU Natural History Museum > Practice the traditional Japanese craft of making a print directly from the body of a fish in this splash-worthy art activity. 🦹♀️Face painting by Aunt Nancy's with Anna-Marie McIntyre > Transform into the superhero or character of your choice or highlight your superpowers with face and body art. 🎨 Coloratura with Camry Ivory >Paint with sound using musical paintbrushes and contribute to a community work of art in this unique multisensory experience. 📻 FM Radio Sound Walk with Merry Sun > Use a portable FM radio to explore Marvin Grove through five soundscapes inspired by Kyosen Kawasaki's book featured in the Looking After exhibition. Can you find them all? 📸 Photoflash with Baby Jay, 2–3PM Watch for a Baby Jay sighting in the Grove and snap a photo with him. PARKING LOT 91, Outside behind the Museum 😋 Torched Goodness and Native Chef Food Trucks > Bring cash, cards, or electronic payment to purchase torched-to-order crème brûlée and Native American fusion cuisine to gnash on. REECE MEMORIAL PLAZA, Outside in front of the Museum 🛝 City PlayCorps with Richard Renner > Play in this pop-up adventure playground where you make the rules and use your imagination to create fun from loose parts, recycled materials, and other people's trash. 💥 Block, Chalk, Comic Book with Amy Lynn Studios > Watch chalk artist Amy Lynn create a custom comic book strip and use chalk to color it in or create drawings of your own. 🪘 Rhythm Crafts with Drum Safari, 2–3PM > Create and design shakers and rhythm wands from recycled materials that you can take home with you. 💃 Smash, Bash, and Clash with Free State Samba, 3:30–4PM > Sit and relax for a performance by KU's Free State Samba. SPENCER MUSEUM, Inside 🐠Splash from the Past with Andy Bentley, Flex Space > Stop by to explore specimens from the KU Natural History Museum's fish collection and learn more about them from an Ichthyology Collection Manager. 🦸 Superhero Mask Making with Spencer Student Advisory Board, Reception Room, 1–3PM > Decorate your own superhero mask and then go outside and take photos while you bash meteor piñatas and play…




