The Immersive Music Experience will open next month in the new Music Enrichment Center beside the Surf Ballroom & Museum in Clear Lake on what would have been Buddy Holly’s 88th birthday. The center promises to be a permanent, first-of-its-kind experience honoring the legacy of Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J-P “The Big Bopper” Richardson. Surf C-E-O Brian Luallen says cutting-edge technology will tell the story of the ballroom’s history. Luallen says visitors will be surrounded by original artwork, archival videos, and special effects on all surfaces. Holly, Valens and Richardson were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake in 1959 following a show called the Winter Dance Party at the ballroom. Opening festivities start on September 4th, with the ribbon-cutting on September 7th.
Story and photo courtesy Radio Iowa
Full story can be found here: https://www.radioiowa.com/2025/08/11/clear-lakes-famed-ballroom-to-unveil-high-tech-music-museum/
