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Smithsonian exhibit coming to Ferriday
Published Tuesday, October 14, 2008
FERRIDAY — For those who always wanted to go to one of the Smithsonian Museums but never had the opportunity, this week the Smithsonian will be coming to them.
Today, the Smithsonian traveling exhibit New Harmonies will arrive at the Delta Music Museum. It will be fully assembled later this week and will officially open to the public Oct. 23.
The exhibit, a celebration of American roots music, is tailored for each stop, and in Ferriday it will be dedicated to music that grew out of the Mississippi River delta.
The exhibit will officially close at Le Musee de la Ville de Kaplan in Kaplan, La., Wednesday.
Vicky Betts, the corresponding secretary for the Kaplan museum, said the opening of the exhibit there was slowed by the hurricanes earlier in the season, but since the pace picked up people have been going through the exhibit “constantly.”
“We focused more on Cajun, because that is where we are and what we are,” Betts said.
The physical exhibit that will be delivered today will feature interactive sound kiosks, but the overall exhibit will also feature musical and educational performances every Saturday until it closes Dec. 5.
“The performers or speakers are going to be giving informational performances where they discuss the type of music we are hosting that weekend,” Delta Music Museum Director Judith Bingham said.
Even though the exhibit will not be officially open, this Saturday will be the first performance. Ferriday’s native sons Hezekiah Early and Hiram F. “Pete” Gregory, two blues musicians, will discuss the role Ferriday played in the development of Delta blues.
When the exhibit opens, members of the Smithsonian Museum will be present.
“As far as I am aware, this is the first stop in Louisiana that a member of the echelon of the Smithsonian is coming to an exhibit,” Bingham said.
The Delta Music Museum was chosen to host the exhibit after the Friends of the Delta Music Museum Foundation applied for a grant with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
At the same time, the Museum on Main Street program — the extension of the Smithsonian from which the New Harmonies exhibit originates — was targeting rural towns to host the exhibit, so the museum applied, Bingham said.
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office operates the Delta Music Museum.
Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin said, though the it was already slated to come at the time he went into office, the exhibit fits perfectly with his goal of seeing Ferriday become a music Mecca.
“(The Friends of the Museum) have done a great job, and we are excited about seeing the exhibit here,” McGlothin said.
Comments
Posted by NatchezBell (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello Glen...I remember you from the older days...anyway I think that's a Great Goal you have and my father; Gray Montgomery is the fastes' Guitar this side of the Mississippi.
He has devoted his intire life to playing all over MS & LA at all the Festivals even at the World's Fair when they had it in New Orleans; I forget the year. He has a great collection of old musical instruments and his most cherished guitar he plays everyday since I can remember and I'm 54; he's 81 going on 26...and healthy with plenty of life and great stories to tell...and the sweetest sound on a
Guitar you'll ever hear...he loves the old cowboy tunes & crooner music...LOL He's going to college out at CoLin and he's featured in they're monthly paper singing to the Dean like the old stars of the past. As she left the building...he sang..."Prety Woman"...LOL He's a clown sometimes too.
He's got several records from the 50's out and a new CD he gives out free with all the music he's recorded through the years...It's wonderful & colorful too. I'm sure I'll be able to talk him into coming with me to the Saturday night show; but the Balloon Fest will be going on...??? Not sure what we'll be doing. I know he could add alot to your show if you'd like him to. The Natchez Democrat has all his info if you'd like to contact him. Good Luck with the exhibits...and your Dream for Ferriday...I grew-up between Natchez & Vidalia and we need the Dream of your's to become a reality.
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've go to admit when I read the headline, my first thought was that Ferriday finally got recognized for all those speeding tickets.
Posted by dmackZuluking (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW ! This event will be a lesson to learn and remember for the Ferriday history books. How this blues music made it possible for a people to survive the unlaw rules of the Confederate Kingdom. I hope to see my white friends there also. We have came a long way in a short period of time. Thank God !
Posted by bchandler24 (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NatchezBell,I remember your father real well,playing in a band that I use to listen to,I was wondering where he was at now,I know,where some of the band that is still living,where they are,but I lost touch with Mr.Gray.Yes! he is a great musician!Just tell him an old friend,said hello.
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