Rhythm! Discovery Center (R!DC), the world’s foremost interactive drum and percussion museum, announced that it will be relocating following water damage suffered in late December. A burst pipe caused significant damage to the museum’s exhibit space at 110 West Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis.
While there was no damage to Rhythm! Discovery Center’s exhibits or its extensive drum and percussion collection, there was extensive damage to the museum’s location. This prompted an evaluation of the organization’s future in the space and created an opportunity to re-evaluate the museum’s needs. Both the Percussive Arts Society and the museum have expanded in recent years. With growing collections, robust education programs, and increasing attendance, the museum needs a larger and more functional space.
No timeline for the relocation of the museum has been determined. The physical museum will remain closed until the relocation is complete. The PAS offices will be temporarily relocated beginning April 1, 2023.
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Find your own family rhythm at Rhythm Discovery Center in downtown Indianapolis. My son Owen and I recently made a trip to Rhythm Discovery for the first time and enjoyed discovering instruments and drums of every shape and size. This hidden gem (lower level of Circle Center – go down the escalator after grabbing a coffee at Panera Bread) costs $9.00 per adult and $6.00 for children (ages 5 and under are free), and will open your eyes to the world of percussion instruments.
Owen is 16 months and of course, loves to bang anything, so going to a percussion museum that is interactive and encourages children to bang on drums was a wonderful escape. Keep in mind that for small children (especially curious toddlers) there are several sections that are devilishly tempting for small hands to touch all of the instruments (and just located at their size I might add) but are for display only. So be prepared to take away “Do Not Touch” signs from them (as I did!) or quickly move to the end of the exhibit where there is a great room full of hands-on instruments that everyone can interact with and create their own music.
Rhythm Discovery provides educational exhibits for older children and adults to learn about the history, artistic approach, and design of percussion instruments. Discussion of cultures from around the world and how music connects each and every one of us is a message that is shared within the exhibit halls. Soundproof studio space is available to the public at the end of the exhibits to try one’s own natural talent at drums or xylophone. The museum is perfect for all ages and no musical ability is required.
If you are interested in exploring local music programs and learning more about music the Rhythm Discovery Center offers Saturday programs for families. They are offered twice a month at 11 a.m. and include a one-hour event featuring local performers from the Indianapolis area. Included with your cost to the performance you will have access to the museum for free. The prices for each performance vary and can be found by visiting their website. A few upcoming Saturday programs include Lawrence Clark Drum Circle and Joyful Sound Handbell choir. The Saturday programs may also include workshops for children to build their own drums or participate in a drum circle.
I’m pleased to have this fun escape so close in the heart of downtown. Owen’s favorite highlight was certainly the small room filled with many, many, fun, colorful and noisy instruments that he could bang, clang or boom and we’ll certainly be back soon since I believe he is working on recording his own solo album on the xylophone!
Jen is an ordinary wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, and co-worker in her 30s who is enjoying the best decade of her life so far. Daily details that are overlooked, never discovered, or given more than a minute of reflection are the subjects for her blog, Curious Cocktail. Taking a moment to reflect and explore those details is the Curious part. The mix of discovery, learning, and having some fun along the way is the Cocktail. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s the mess that makes Jen smile.
Address
110 West Washington St., Suite A
Indianapolis
IN
46204
Visit Rhythm! Discovery Center {Temporarily Closed}