Take a tour through Georgia musical history, with a special free curator-led event at the University of Georgia Libraries’ Georgia Music Collections exhibit, now on display at the Akins Ford Arena at the Classic Center.
Ryan Lewis, Georgia music curator for the Special Collections Libraries at UGA, will lead visitors through a display that features more than 200 legendary artists, from Arrested Development to Whisperin’ Bill Anderson. The free tours of the exhibit are part of the city’s Third Thursday activities this month, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, February 20. 
While pointing out the stage costumes, instruments, merch, and other memorabilia on display, Lewis will share stories about the recording process, back-stage secrets, concert moments, and other tales of the artists that have made Georgia music history.
"I am thrilled to explore the living music history of our State and to have this opportunity to share these one-of-a-kind artifacts and the stories that they tell with attendees,” Lewis said.
From James Brown’s red velvet cape to the megaphone used by Michael Stipe on stage with R.E.M., the exhibit displays 18 instruments, 11 t-shirts, 4 pairs of shoes or boots worn on stage, dozens of photos, and hundreds of concert posters and album covers.
The exhibit also features interactive elements, including Spotify playlists, trivia games, a gigantic floor piano, and a digital display of facts pulling information from the New Georgia Encyclopedia, a project of Georgia Humanities, the University of Georgia Libraries, the University of Georgia Press, and the University System of Georgia/GALILEO.
In addition, the exhibit contains information about the Georgia Music Collections held at the UGA Special Collections Libraries. Visitors can engage with even more moments in Georgia music history by exploring the Libraries’ galleries, open for free on weekdays throughout the year.