GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World

LIMITED TIME EXHIBIT - GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World

June 4 - September 4, 2016

PLAY the world’s largest guitar, see more than 60 instruments on display ranging from the rare and antique to the wildly popular, explore how different materials affect a guitar’s sound and much, much more! GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World presented by Harsco gives you the chance to interact with the guitar through hands-on exhibits, performance videos, and stunning images. The exhibition is composed of three elements: the science of sound; the evolution, engineering and design of the guitar; and the guitar’s cultural impact. 

Some of the elements included in the Guitar exhibit:

• The world's largest playable guitar - measuring 43.5 feet long and 16 feet wide and weighing 2244 lbs. Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2001 as the World's Largest Playable Electric Guitar
• What makes a guitar's sound unique? Explore different kinds of woods, string material and see how the guitar and it's stringed ancestors from around the world have evolved and changed over 2000 years
• How electricity changed the sound, look and evolution of guitar music
• Over 60 rare and antique guitars on display from famous (and lesser known) guitar makers like Fender, Gibson, Martin, Rickenbacker, Vox and more!
• Interactive stations where guests can challenge themselves to playback a series of riffs, build their own virtual guitar, hear how different materials influence a guitar's sound, and a chance to pick up and play real guitars

Movies That Rock Film Series

Escape the summer heat this July and August and take in some of the coolest music films ever made! Whitaker Center’s Movies That Rock series is bringing down the house as part of Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World, presented by Harsco. From rockumentaries to musicals, this series has something for all ages. Audiences can sing their way through the halls of Rydell High during Grease and follow Bono and the crew on tour with U2 3D. Click the movie posters below for details!

Summer Music Series

As part of this summer's Guitar Exhibit, Whitaker Center presents the Summer Music Series on select Saturdays throughout the summer. Please consult the schedule below and mark your calendar for these FREE all-ages concerts in Kunkel Gallery. 

July 16, 2016
Youth Guitar Showcase

August 20, 2016
12:00 - 1:30 pm 3 WEST

September 3, 2016
12:00 - 1:30 pm Mark DeRose & the Dreadnought Brigade
2:30 - 4:00 pm Vulcans 

GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World is a limited time exhibit and is INCLUDED in science center admission. Harsco Science Center offers three floors of interactive STEM-based exhibits that cover topics such as physics and engineering, human health, weather and the science and technology behind movies, TV, music, and theatre.

GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World is a Touring Exhibition of The National GUITAR MUSEUM.

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