If lunch-hour conversations with your co-workers have grown dull, head to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for its weekly Gallery Talk program, which focuses on iconic bands and musicians such as the Beatles and Elvis.
In just 30 minutes, the docent-led tours share personal stories and details about artifacts on display that could easily be missed on a self-guided visit. A recent talk focusing on guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix included the Daddy Sleeping childhood drawing the musician made of his father, who worked two jobs. It also highlighted one of Hendrix's Gibson Flying V guitars and provided a closer look at the handwritten lyrics to "Purple Haze," which shows the song had an original title of "Purple Haze, Jesus Saves."
"We started the talks to give a sort of behind-the-scenes experience to the guests," explains assistant curator Meredith Rutledge-Borger. "It's like jumping to the next level — from the CliffsNotes into a more in-depth discussion."
Regular museum admission rates apply, so those who want to frequently take part in the program are encouraged to buy a Rock Hall membership. rockhall.com
