Come next spring, the city will be singing the blues at a more interactive octave thanks to The Chicago Blues Experience.

Not to be confused with the Chicago Blues Festival (June 9-11), which annually ushers in thousands of fans (around 500,000 on average) for a weekend, this is a Loop-bound museum and archetype of blues immersion.  The experience will roughly span 50,000 square feet of real estate at 25 E Washington St.

The genre doesn’t want for Chicago affection, but an institution educating the city about its history and provoking youth connection is unanimously overdue.

Because blues thrives on storytelling, it’s no surprise that the coming attraction invites viewers to hear about the past, present, and future of the well-traveled music and how Chicago became a primary residence for the genre’s urban evolution.

The official website teases more of what to expect once museum doors open. Interactive technology will guide visitors through exhibits, memorabilia, restaurants, and even a live venue with 150 seats and nightly shows. Design elements will be executed by the same minds that created installations for Nashville’s gem, the Grand Ole Opry.

The museum also hopes to incorporate the classroom and community. Outreach programs and input from local education professionals are poised to enrich creative expression, cultural appreciation, and heightened enthusiasm for learning and for the Chicago blues.

Experience with all your senses Spring 2019.

Sources and Photos: Chicago Blues Experience, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Tribune