The Smithsonian is known to hold treasures from history and its musical treasures are indeed some of the most relevant to music history. Luckily for those within Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio and South Carolina, the Smithsonian is bringing a musical history tour called New Harmonies to those areas.
The tour hitting those five states is part of the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street project. The project which debuts in March, showcases America's richest stories in music according to its director, Carol Harsh.
The tour will make stops in those five states at libraries, historical societies, and performance spaces in towns and small cities.
Some of the interesting things one might experience from the tour is to see musical instruments created from the innovations of poverty: a cigar box guitar; a Cajun rub board strummed with a bottle opener; and a diddley bow. Other instruments and historical musicians and songs will all be covered. The tour is one that is very hands on which makes it an attractive exhibit.
The tour will mix with local programs. For instance, at the debut of the exhibit on March 12 at the Asbury Park Public Library in Asbury Park, NJ, visitors will also be exposed to the Library's home collection of Bruce Springsteen.
Another example of the tour coming together with local music history is that when doing stops in the Mississippi area visitors will learn of the blues, with its African American roots, influenced jazz, rock, and rockabilly. The local music influence with French, Spanish, Creole and Jewish flavors will be explored as well.
The US has a rich history and music is a part of that history. It is a wonderful opportunity that the Smithsonian program is bringing to the areas scheduled for stops of the tour. Perhaps with a high visitor rate it will extend to more areas. This is a well organized event and will be a wonderful experience for those fortunate to visit. For more information follow this link: Smithsonian Museum on Main Street New Harmonies.
If you are lucky enough to visit this exhibit, please come back and post comments of your experience at the tour!
Wow! Do you know how long this musical exhibit at the Smithsonian will go on for?
Posted by: Dave | 04/23/2011 at 10:59 PM