MUSIC

National Museum of African American Music lights up in Nashville

Nashville Tennessean

The neon glow of Nashville's Lower Broadway gained a new, bright addition Monday night.

At 5:30 p.m on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the future site of the National Museum of African American Music flipped the switch on its digital sign at Broadway and Fifth Avenue.

Shining just across the street from the Ryman Auditorium, the sign's screen displayed the museum logo, motto ("One Nation Under a Groove," quoting a Parliament song) and opening date: Summer 2020.

Museum officials gathered on the rooftop patio of neighboring Tootsies Orchid Lounge to celebrate the latest addition to the building, which is still under construction.

"This is a momentous occasion," said museum president/CEO H. Beecher Hicks III.

The National Museum of African American Music President and CEO, Henry Beecher Hicks III speaks before the unveiling of a new exterior digital sign on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The museum, in the Fifth + Broadway development, is expected to open later this year.

"And it is quite a special day to do it, when we celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King, who once famously said that we will either learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools. Tonight we celebrate just once more milestone in bringing this institution to life — one that will bring us together as brothers and sisters."

The museum is part of the $450 million Fifth + Broadway commercial development in downtown Nashville.

The 56,000-square-foot facility will feature five permanent themed galleries — dedicated to gospel, blues, jazz, R&B and hip-hop — a 200-seat theater and traveling exhibits.

The museum plans to open of Summer 2020. To learn more, visit NMAAM.org

People cheer as the The National Museum of African American MusicÕs new exterior digital sign is turned on during a ceremony on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The museum, in the Fifth + Broadway development, is expected to open later this year.