Wall with Music Legends projected onto it.

Museum and Cultural Sites

Surf Ballroom: Not Fade Away

Clear Lake, IA

America's music history, reimagined for the future.

The Surf Ballroom is a National Historic Landmark that continues to serve as the cornerstone of American music history since 1948. The Surf honors legends such as Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson while inspiring new generations of artists and fans.

In partnership with Trivium Interactive's lighting and exhibit design, the Surf Ballroom created the immersive museum experience, Not Fade Away. Using 15 projectors, guests are surrounded by vibrant media displayed across sweeping curved walls, blending history with modern innovation.

Throughout the space, Orbecs camera, motion sensors, scent programming and audio work together to engage every sense that brings to life the energy, emotion and rhythm that defined an era. Interactive elements like floor projections invite guests to explore and engage directly with media, turning each visit into a personalized encounter with the music and memories that solidify the Surf Ballroom’s title as an American cultural landmark.

A man looking at a wall that has music legends on it.

Images courtesy of Trivium Interactive.

Immersive space that welcomes all visitors.

The Surf Ballroom’s main goal is the creation of a fully immersive space with music-related content that will teach the history of the ballroom and memorialize Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. Additionally, the experience would attract visitors from various learning styles and accommodations.

The solution was an immersive experience that offered a 360-degree projection with historic media and background narration. The narration is accompanied by assisted listening devices, ASL interpreted shows and sensor-friendly sessions that are available with notice.

The overall space allows for a walkthrough where guests view authentic artifacts, experiencing an intimate connection with artists that is accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users.

A man looking at a wall that has music legends on it.

Images courtesy of Trivium Interactive.

Creative requests meet innovative technology.

Electrosonic’s extensive background in museum design helps transform traditional educational spaces into immersive experiences that utilize audiovisual technology to engage visitors and bring special stories to life. Electrosonic coordinated with Trivium Interactive to provide equipment and expertise that aligned with Surf Ballroom’s overall goal.

Electrosonic provided high-quality projectors that display media on curved walls for guests to learn the history behind the musical legends. Using floor projection and sensors, guests are able to interact with the sight before them to immerse themselves in the experience as they take in the information that is shown to them.

The biggest challenge that Electrosonic faced was the complex engineering required to adjust to swiftly changing demands. The solution was maintaining consistent involvement in the demands to match the expectations of the museum’s scope. Frequent traveling and connections made for incredible and succinct problem-solving, resulting in the exhibit’s successful completion.

A man looking at a wall that has music legends on it.

Images courtesy of Trivium Interactive.

Traditional storytelling keeps up with society trends.

The Surf Ballroom’s new exhibit continues to introduce a new way of learning. The addition of audiovisual technology to traditional storytelling and physical artifacts enhances details of rock and roll history, attracting a variety of audiences while inspiring a new generation. The museum’s goal of keeping the stories of legendary musicians alive is helped achieve by adjusting to the technological trends of society and offering a first-of-its kind immersive experience.

The Surf Ballroom separates itself from others by offering an interactive, sensory-rich experience that explores the evolution of rock and roll, making it a destination for a broader audience and encouraging visitors to repeat. This museum space captures the spirit of the Surf Ballroom, allowing guests to walk where legends once stood and experience how their stories impacted the future of music.

Client:
Surf Ballroom & Museum

Location:
Clear Lake, Iowa

Size:
1,365 sq. ft.

Creative Partners:
Available Light
Natalie Zanecchia Design
Trivium Interactive - Lighting and Exhibit Design

Technology Partners:
Christie
Orbbec
RobotShop

Services

Concept Design
AV Consulting
Design Development and Construction Documentation
Schematic Design
Design Validation & Engineering
Software & User Interface Development
Fabrication
Installation
Testing & Commissioning
Training & Adoption
Field Service
Technology Assessments
Remote Support
Equipment Sales
On-Site Support

A group of people looking at a curved projection wall.

A man looking around the room and listening to the audio about music legends.

A man looking at a curved projection wall reading information about music legends.

A guy looking at the curved projection wall watching the media about American music history.

A PORTAL TO THE PAST

An Immersive Tribute to Rock and Roll's Legends.

Visitors can explore the history of Rock and Roll through Not Fade Away, a fully immersive audiovisual experience in the Surf Music Experience Center. High fidelity projectors and speakers surround guests in 360-degree media with ceiling projections on curved walls and displayed on the floor.

Light Detection and Ranging sensors are used to allow guests to interact with the story as music notes follow each step and historical facts appear at the touch of a fingertip. This storytelling experience honors the lives and legacies of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, including artists that continue to contribute to the Surf’s legacy.

Curved media projection wall with the title "Tour the Surf Ballroom to see where the music lives"

Two women looking at a curved media projection wall watching history about music legends.

Three people looking at the media on a curve projection wall.

A person looking at Kenny Rogers history on the curved media projection wall.

Two people looking at the media on a wall.

Surf Ballroom digital signage with media below.

A man interacting with the media on a wall learning more about music videos.

A man looking at older footage of music legends on a projected wall.

A wall that has projected media of music legends in a red filter.

Motion Sensing Technology: Enhancing the guest experience.

Advanced motion sensor technology influences the comfort, safety, personalization and accessibility of the overall guest experience. Learn how to revolutionize your space using cutting-edge audiovisual technology that senses visitor interaction.

LEARN MORE

By reimagining its history as an interactive journey, the Surf Ballroom now unites the spirit of its musical past with modern, multisensory engagement. We are proud to collaborate with Electrosonic to bring these rich stories to life.

Kirsten Holmes, Principal, Executive Producer

Trivium Interactive

Relevant Projects

Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us Electrosonic creates a 6.7-acre installation on Manhattan's East Side exploring 250 years of American history through AV technology using personal stories. Learn More

National WWI Museum and Memorial The Museum and Memorial’s advanced AV technology allows guests to step directly into the stories of the war, interpreting the history of World War I in a way that encourages thought and empathy for those who lived through the conflict. Learn More

A Bunch of Stuff Electrosonic helps A Bunch of Stuff display various chapters of Johnny Deeps life through storytelling and providing audiovisual solutions to increase engagement. Learn More

New Jersey Hall of Fame Electrosonic helps New Jersey Hall of Fame commemorate legendary and everyday heroes through implementing audiovisual technology to immerse visitors into the experience. Learn More

The Engine Shed, Historic Environment Scotland Historic Environment Scotland (HES) – Scotland’s lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. Learn More

The Museum of Broadway Immersive, interactive experiences set the stage for a celebration of Broadway’s rich heritage. Learn More

The Sailing Museum Cutting-edge interactive technology puts visitors’ sailing skills to the test in a thrilling, fun-packed, hands-on experience. Learn More

The First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank Immersive, interactive technologies and complex project mapping celebrate the birth of radio astronomy. Learn More

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Stunning audiovisual technology celebrates the arts, sciences and artists of moviemaking. Learn More

Museum of the Bible Hollywood called it ‘the greatest story ever told’ in their portrayal of the New Testament — the Museum of the Bible goes further to tell the whole story in a museum of biblical proportions. Learn More