IHS Celebrates Legacy of Musical Son with Cole Porter Room, Anything Goes

Indianapolis—The Indiana Historical Society will celebrate one of Indiana’s most famous musical sons, Cole Porter, when it introduces the Indiana Experience, a new way to live history that will open to the public March 20, 2010, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. The History Center is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

Porter, born in Peru, Ind., is a composer and songwriter best known for songs like Night and Day and I Get a Kick Out of You and the musicals Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate. Even though decades have passed, the relevancy of his music still resonates today and is widely played and performed worldwide.

Cole Porter Room
In the History Center’s Cole Porter Room, you’ll immerse yourself in a space evocative of the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York, where Porter lived the last 20 years of his life. The setting features a digital grand player piano and photographs that span Porter’s life, social circle and travels. Guests can also listen to or sing along with an elegantly dressed interpreter performing Porter standards.

To learn more about this Indiana legend and national treasure, visitors can also enjoy What a Swell Party This Is!: The Music of Cole Porter. This video homage, developed by the IHS, celebrates Porter’s plays and movies as performed by the widest range of artists, including Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Jerome Kern, Alanis Morrisette and Dinah Shore.

Anything Goes
Anything Goes is a periodic, specially ticketed event that uses artistic programming to explore the life and work of Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael and other American musical greats. During a season that runs from October through March, Eli Lilly Hall will be transformed into a grand 1940s nightclub—complete with costumed servers and characters—for fun-filled evenings of classic standards.

Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, drinks, dancing and a live cabaret show featuring actors, musicians and vocalists from Central Indiana arts troupes. They will experience firsthand the impact of these great artists on Indiana’s musical legacy during a one-of-a-kind night out.

Upcoming dates for Anything goes include Oct. 14 and 15, Nov. 11 and 12, Feb. 10 and 11 (2011), and March 17 and 18 (2011).

About the Indiana Experience
The Indiana Experience brings both the people of the state and visitors from around the world a uniquely Indiana experience. Interactive and high-technology experiences allow the IHS to share the tremendous archival holdings of the IHS, including 1.6 million photographs, in easy and enjoyable ways.

Regular operating hours for the Indiana Experience and the William H. Smith Memorial Library are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Basile History Market is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Stardust Terrace Café is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

IHS members and children younger than five receive free admission to the Indiana Experience. Regular admission cost is $7 for adults, $6.50 for seniors (60 and older) and $5 per child (ages five to 17). Group rates for adults, seniors and students are available. Admission to the William H. Smith Memorial Library, Basile History Market and Stardust Terrace Café is free.

Parking is complimentary for members visiting the History Center, with paid admission to the Indiana Experience, for patrons of the William H. Smith Memorial Library and/or with a $7 purchase at the Stardust Terrace Café or Basile History Market.

About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups, publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; and provides youth, adult and family programming.

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To receive an electronic copy of this press release, more information and/or images, or to schedule an interview, please contact Amy Lamb, Media Relations Manager, at (317) 232-1878 or alamb@indianahistory.org.

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