Surf Ballroom Music Enrichment Center’s “Immersive Music Experience” to open next month

CLEAR LAKE — The opening date has been set for next month for the “Immersive Music Experience” in the new Music Enrichment Center next to the Surf Ballroom & Museum in Clear Lake in coordination with what would have been Buddy Holly’s birthday.

“Not Fade Away: The Immersive Surf Ballroom Experience” is a permanent, first-of-its-kind experience honoring the legacy of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson.

Surf CEO Brian Luallen says cutting-edge technology will be able to tell the story of the ballroom’s history.  “When I say immersive, what I’m talking about is the fact that you are surrounded by incredible original art, archival videos, special effects on all surfaces. It really responds to the fact that younger kids just consume information in a different way, and we need to make sure we’re preserving the Surf’s story and legacy for future generations, so we need to be able to help them understand why that moment in time in 1959 means so very much to everyone.”

Luallen says the full exhibit will also make its debut, which he says allows the Surf to be able to showcase to the public certain historic artifacts that couldn’t be properly displayed in the ballroom itself.    “We’ve also had the original microphone from the very last performance of the Winter Dance Party that Buddy sang into return to the fold, and that’s going to be on display with a brand new jacket that Buddy Holly left after his last performance in San Antonio. These are really powerful items. It also gives us a chance to take several things that have been in our collection that are intimately associated with those three stars, and many other musicians, and put them on prominent display. “

Opening festivities kick off on Thursday September 4th with a book signing and special preview, leading up to the full exhibit debut and ribbon cutting on Sunday September 7th, the date of what would have been Holly’s 88th birthday.  

You can hear our full interview with Luallen by clicking on the audio player below