I had a very memorable Memorial Day weekend this previous Could of 2023. The purpose was to go to my huge sister Casandra who moved to Nashville nearly a yr in the past. And naturally to see her daughter MoNa, her son-in-law Kevia and their rambunctious 6 yr outdated son, Harlem.
Memorial Day is just not referred to as the “unofficial begin to Summer time” for nothing. It appears as if everyone and their grandmother (smile) was driving that weekend on the highway, flying within the air, or utilizing some mode of public transportation throughout this a lot anticipated prelude to Summer time.
What often occurs once we now grownup Hollis youngsters go to a brand new place or house to go to household, is we attempt to incorporate at the least one African American cultural exercise into the journey.
On this case it was simple, nearly too simple: a visit to the Nationwide Museum of African American Music or NMAAM as it’s referred to. NMAAM is conveniently situated in downtown Nashville so we didn’t need to journey far as my sister Casandra lives solely about 15 to twenty minutes outdoors town limits.
Parking the automobile in a storage was fairly steep ($45) and you actually don’t have any selection when you drive as there may be little or no if any out there avenue parking downtown.
The ticket costs to the museum (which we ordered on-line on the NMAAM web site the evening earlier than) have been $24.95 for Adults (me) and $18.75 for Senior Residents (Casandra). Simply so you’re conscious, the remainder of the ticket costs are as follows: $18.75 for College students and Lecturers with ID, Navy and Senior Residents; $13.50 for Museum Visitors aged 7 to 17 and Free for Guests 6 years of age and underneath.
Whereas there, for simply $5.00 extra you’ll obtain a NMAAM wristband which lets you obtain a number of genres of music (as much as 500 songs!) to create your individual music playlist as you contact and discover your approach all through the museum. This music hyperlink is shipped to your electronic mail handle per week or so later so that you can obtain to your Apple or Spotify account. Very cool!
By the way, NMAAM additionally provides guests an annual membership with a lot of particular perks and schooling and packages for teams and particular outings.
The NMAAM brochure tells you it takes 90 minutes to discover the museum (because it options timed admission) however it took me and Casandra 3 hours as there may be a lot to see and do! By the way in which, there isn’t any additional cost if it takes you longer than the 90 minutes (smile).
The museum is damaged up into 6 rooms which every function a special style of music and its historical past.
It’s fascinating to find simply how intertwined the music is with the historic happenings of every period.
The Roots Theater focuses on African American historical past and its music.
Wade within the Water (one in all my private favs) showcases how gospel music and its wealthy historical past has greater than influenced non secular music. This gallery featured an interactive room the place me and Casandra went in, donned the requisite church choir robes and stood in entrance of the Inexperienced Display screen so we may sing together with the Gospel Choir. The ending was candy as we have been each magically inserted into the Gospel Choir (smile). We saved this obtain to our NMAAM wrist band so we may view it in a while at residence.
Crossroads chronicles the time within the Deep South (and after slavery) when work songs and area songs (i.e., the Blues) was prevalent.
A Love Supreme highlights the Jazz period in African American music and tradition.
One Nation Below A Groove information the time following World Warfare I with the emergence of Rhythm and Blues…
The Message clearly narrates Hip Hop and Rap music and the way it influenced (and continues to affect) popular culture in and across the World…this room featured a interactive DJ sales space the place we have been capable of choose from one in all 3 completely different rappers after which rap together with them. Not surprisingly, the road to this interactive function stayed lengthy (smile).
Rivers of Rhythm featured the contact panels (discovered on the big glass tables) all through the NMAAM theater which permit the person to the touch their approach into an artist’s songs and biographies. We downloaded a lot of music to our NMAAM wristbands from these contact panels. By the way each half hour or so a live performance performed on the interactive partitions (that day we jammed to the sounds of Prince, Tina Turner, and James Brown).
And simply earlier than you permit the museum, you’ll discover an artwork gallery that includes the works of very proficient group artists.
There- is also a museum retailer referred to as Amplify which sells stunning NMAAM memorabilia at affordable costs.
By the way in which, Casandra and I had the pleasure of bumping into Left Eye Lopez’s little sister Reigndrop who was on the museum that day making a documentary about her late sister Left Eye Lopez. Right here she is entertaining the foyer crowd in her personal eclectic approach.
Additionally whereas within the foyer we couldn’t assist however discover the tribute to the legendary Tina Turner – who just lately handed – you may’t showcase black music with out together with Miss Tina…might she Relaxation in Peace…
All in all, we had the very best time eva and I’d extremely suggest this museum to anybody visiting town of Nashville (or Nash as it’s referred to as).
(Visited 137 instances, 1 visits immediately)
