What's New in the Lou: The National Blues Museum

The National Blues Museum opened in April amid much fanfare. Located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri in the former Dillard's building, the museum puts a spotlight on a genre of music that has been influential throughout history. Having grown up in a household where Blues music was prevalent, I was excited about the opportunity to visit the city's newest attraction. Fairly certain I would enjoy it (I did!), my biggest questions was, what about the kids? Would this be a place they would enjoy and learn something from? Should visiting the National Blues Museum be added to a family's bucket list? According to Executive Director, Dion Brown, the answer is a resounding YES. "Kids will get an informal history lesson on the blues - from the roots of how blues began all the way to how any genre of music they listen to today traces back to the blues.  This gives our younger guests an opportunity to explore first hand and hopefully want to explore this great art form." 

Muddy Waters. Chuck Berry. B.B. King. Etta James. Eric Clapton. Stevie Ray Vaughn. Jimi Hendrix.

All names synonymous with the Blues. All names familiar to myself and most adults that will walk through the museum's doors. But not necessarily names that will conjure an image for most kids. The walls are covered with quotes, images, artifacts and more from these musicians, among others.  While most kids won't necessarily take the time to stop and read all the information available to them, they will more than likely take it all in through a one-of-a-kind sensory experience. 

SIGHT

A wall of harmonicas. A piano and record player from an era gone by. Clothing from another time and guitars strummed by iconic fingers. All of which tell a story that relates to various places and times throughout American history.   A picture tells a thousand words and not only are there plenty adorning the walls of famous musicians throughout time, but kids will love standing on a stage taking a "selfie" of their own! And spending a few minutes in the theater watching a short film will give visitors a nice introduction into what the Blues are all about.

HEARING

Walking room to room is like taking a roadtrip: see the sights and listen to the sounds of Mississippi, Memphis, Atlanta, Chicago and, of course, St. Louis. Every room has music playing, and while the songs may not all be familiar to the kids, the simplicity and standard structure of the blues (AAB) will undoubtedly capture their attention. And if you find yourself tapping your toes and singing along, take a moment to share with your kids a memory or two the music has recalled to your mind.

And if you plan your visit accordingly, hear live music from one of several scheduled performances at the musuem.

TOUCH

If the kids are not taken in by all they are seeing and hearing, the interactive features of the museum will truly reel them in! As Brown points out, visitors of all ages can "get the experience of creating their own musical experience through our interactive stations inside the museum.  Each person can write their own AAB lyrics and then add a guitar, harmonica and piano track.  To finish their experience, each visitor steps into the Jack White “Mix It Up” room to create an album of their music and email it to themselves."  

Don't be shy! Play the interactive piano, become part of a Jug Band, write your own song!  And don't miss the best part - coming up with your own band name and designing your own album cover (Don't let the kids have all the fun!)

TASTE & SMELL

The music playing and the images on display might actually transport your mind to a time and place where you can even smell and almost taste the food of that era...okay, while that might be a stretch, all you have to do is step outside the museum's doors and smell the barbeque of Sugarfire Smokehouse next door. Yum!! Make a day of it and include lunch or dinner! If BBQ is not your thing, the downtown area now has a variety of family-friendly options to choose from.

So in a nutshell, would I recommend visiting the National Blues Museum? YES! Would I recommend bringing along the kids? YES! YES!! As St. Louis was so instrumental to the Blues scene, what a wonderful oppotunity to share not only a bit of American muscial history with your kids, but a slice of St. Louis history as well (there is a whole room dedicated just to St. Louis!) And as Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones once said, "If you don't know the blues...there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music."

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The National Blues Museum is located at 615 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63101; (314) 925-0016; www.nationalbluesmuseum.org. Click here for information on hours, admission and parking.

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© 2016, KidsOutAndAbout.com

Chelle Dohrmann is a lover of all things St. Louis, a mother of two and the St. Louis Editor of KidsOutAndAbout.com