The museum, housed in the Wheeler Arts Center in Fountain Square until a permanent facility is financially feasible, will showcase the state’s contributions to the music, film and broadcast industry. It will also focus on documenting, displaying and preserving artifacts and educating Hoosiers about the state’s rich entertainment history.
Opening night will run from 6-10 p.m. at 1035 Sanders St., where visitors can meet the authors, exhibitors and the museum’s founders while enjoying live music from Clifford Ratliff and Friends, Tim Wright (Wright Brothers) and Karen Irwin and Cathy Morris.
Among the featured authors are David Fulton, “Naptown Rock Radio Wars”; Larry Goshen, “Let The Good Times Roll”; David Humphrey, “All Those Years Ago”; David Williams, “Indianapolis Jazz”; and Julie Young “Famous Faces of WTTV.”
The exhibitors will include Tom Fontaine and his rare memorabilia and film from The Beatles 1964 Indiana State Fair performance and Elvis Presley’s final concert, which was June 26, 1977, at Market Square Arena; Larry Goshen with early rock and jazz memorabilia; John Rabold and his radio and TV memorabilia, including WTTV’s former production console; and Rick Wilkerson with rare records, posters and concert flyers.
Special guests include former WNAP disc jockey Cris “Moto” Conner, rockabilly legend Art Adams and Keith Phillips, former drummer and leader of the early Indianapolis rock ’n’ roll band Keetie and the Kats.
Admission is free.