INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Historical Society will celebrate one of Indiana's most famous musical sons, Cole Porter, when it introduces the "Indiana Experience."
The "Indiana Experience" opens to the public March 20 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. The History Center is at 450 W. Ohio St., 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", along with 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.
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 also can listen to or sing along with an elegantly dressed interpreter performing Porter standards.To learn more about this Indiana legend and national treasure, visitors also can 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 is a periodic, speically ticketed event that uses artistic programming to explore the life and work of Porter, Hoagy Carmichael and other American musical greats. During a seson 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. 14-15, Nov. 11-12, Feb. 10-11, 2011, and March 17-18, 2011.
