The Elmhurst History Museum has announced the extension of its exhibit, “Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died” through the end of the year, closing on December 31, 2017. The exhibit is a consistently popular show, drawing visitors from throughout the Chicago area. The museum will be extending its run to allow more patrons to visit this eclectic story.
“Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died” was inspired by a book with the same title by Steve Dahl, with journalist Dave Hoekstra and photos by Paul Natkin. Exhibit content is written by Hoekstra. Through video footage, artifacts, interviews, photographs, and other memorabilia, “Disco Demolition” explores the culture and social context in which Disco was demolished.
Elmhurst History Museum Showcases Music Battle
The exhibit tells the story of a baseball promotion at Comiskey Park on July 12, 1979. The event was conceived to bring young fans to fill empty stadium seats during a struggling White Sox season, and to promote WLUP’s latest D-Jay, Steve Dahl. Dahl was gaining listeners with his anti-disco antics after being fired from a Chicago radio station that switched to an all-disco format. Attracted by a cheap 98 cent ticket price for fans who brought disco records to blow up between games of the doubleheader, more than 50,000 attendees showed up.
Exhibit Highlights
- The game jersey worn by White Sox catcher Mike Colbern on Disco Demolition Night
- Personal Items from Dahl
- A letter of apology from White Sox owner, Bill Veeck, to a disappointed fan
- A Hamer guitar (On Loan) from Cheap Trick’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Rick Nielson
- A feature on the rise of the Chicago house music genre in the wake of the disco era
- A Rock vs Disco music trivia quiz
- A timeline mural detailing the events of the day
- Interactive video displays with footage from the “Disco Demolition” 25th anniversary documentary.
Disco Invasion Lecture Scheduled for Nov. 5
Elmhurst History Museum will host a final lecture for the exhibit on Sunday, November 5 at 2p.m. entitled “Disco Invasion in Films of the ‘70s.” The lecture will be given by filmmaker and educator Peter Hawley. This lecture will contextualize the Disco Invasion and its influence on Hollywood films.
When:
Now until December 31
Where:
Elmhurst History Museum
120 E Park Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126
Tickets:
Free to members
$5 for non-members
Photos courtesy of the Paul Natkin and the Elmhurst History Museum.
For more information visit the Elmhurst History Museum’s Website.
