Photo courtesy of the National Blues Museum
Event: National Blues Museum Grand Opening
Location: 615 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101
When: April 2, 2016
Who: Blues enthusiasts and music lovers
Cost: $15 adults 18+, $10 college students w/ ID, $12 over 65
Take a trip back in time during the grand opening of the National Blues Museum in downtown St. Louis Saturday, April 2. This museum features 23,000 square feet of highly interactive technology and artifact driven exhibits. The National Blues Museum also hosts musical performances, lectures and films to adhere to their mission of being the premier entertainment and educational resource focusing on the blues as the foundation of American music.
This museum is a venue where one can indulge in the richness of blues music while simultaneously learning about American history. The board of directors want to emphasize that this new museum will include blues music from all regions and throughout different historical eras.
“The cultural influence of the blues is the influence of African American musicians during hard times,” says Dion Brown, Executive Director of the National Blues Museum during an interview with Mindseye Radio. “We want to move forward and show how blues music and culture has influenced so many genres of music and are able to tell a story, because the blues is something from the heart.”
Photo courtesy of the National Blues Museum
The museum seeks to increase access to music programs in underprivileged communities as well as address race, diversity and culture through the blues genre. In an interview conducted by KSDK, Brown says that visitors have the chance to create their own blues song through interactive exhibits which can then be emailed to the visitor.
Since St. Louis was chosen as the destination for the museum, there will be an exhibit on display describing the role St. Louis had on the blues fame. The National Blues Museum is a venue that will increase revenue for the metropolitan area. It has received a wide range of attention, — the New York Times voted it one of the 53 best places to go in 2016 and Brit+Co, a new media and commerce company, voted it one of the top spring break destinations of 2016, all before the museum has made its grand opening.
According to the National Blues Museum Facebook page, opening day will begin with a musical procession from the Normandy High School marching band and continue with performances from local musicians such as Phi, David Dee, The Jeremiah Johnson Band, Marquise Knox, Jim McClaren, Mickey Rogers and Renee Smith. Tickets will be available for purchase on opening day. For more information on the National Blues Museum and the grand opening ceremonies, visit https://www.nationalbluesmuseum.org/.