Surf Ballroom schedules opening of new Music Enrichment Center

If the wooden dance floor sitting under the navy blue arched ceiling of the Surf Ballroom could talk, it would likely say that the music did live on at the rock ‘n’ roll oasis in Clear Lake, Iowa.

The walls of the green room, etched with signatures from performers, would agree. The stage has seen artists ranging from Little Richard and Roy Orbison to Alice Cooper and the Doobie Brothers.

Located on North Shore Drive, the Surf Ballroom was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2021, according to the venue’s website.

With an expansive history, the beach-themed venue still hosts concerts and much more.

What made the Surf Ballroom famous?

A tragic accident near the Surf Ballroom thrust the venue into the history books.

Remembered as “the day the music died,” Feb. 3, 1959, marks the day Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died after playing the ballroom. Their plane crashed into a cornfield outside of Clear Lake, Iowa. The touring trio visited Midwestern ballrooms and auditoriums for roughly three-and-a-half weeks, starting in Milwaukee.

After stopping in Davenport and Fort Dodge, the Winter Dance Party tour made its way to the Surf Ballroom for what would infamously be the three artists’ last show. The tragedy later became the basis for the 1971 acoustic song “American Pie” by Don McLean.

When did the Surf Ballroom open?

Equipped with a roof garden for dancing and a boardwalk leading to nearby docks on the shores of Clear Lake, the Surf Ballroom opened in 1933.

A fire destroyed the first venue in 1947. Just over a year later, the current Surf Ballroom reopened across the street in what was the parking lot of the first location, according to the venue’s website.

What’s new at the Surf Ballroom?

The Surf Ballroom may be a time capsule, but an expansion to the historic landmark will open soon. West of the ballroom is the newly constructed Music Immersive Center. The two-story addition will serve as another event area and visitor center for tourists.

The new space is expected to house a ticket office, a gift shop, studios for music lessons, conference space and a catering kitchen. The entire expansion is 10,800 square feet with an exhibit space that will include never-before-seen artifacts. There will also be an immersive theater space for the “Not Fade Away: Immersive Surf Ballroom Experience.” It will feature the legacy of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper in the town, according to a news release from the ballroom.

The Music Enrichment Center will open with a celebration from Sept. 4 to Sept. 7 during Holly’s birthday.

What concerts are coming to the Surf Ballroom?

Today, some shows at the Surf Ballroom are even cheaper than the shows in 1933. The summer concert series offers free shows on Wednesday nights until Aug. 28.

There are also shows on the weekends. Some shows are band orchestras, part of a series of concerts that offer dancing.

Upcoming shows include: