George Washington to Bob Dylan. Susan B. Anthony to Prince. Jack Kerouac to Jackie Robinson.
An eclectic exhibit with items, ranging from pop culture to historical, is coming to Las Vegas for one night only, along with a concert featuring a few big names. And the best part is that it’s free.
Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, is bringing his collection to the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on March 4, 2023. The event takes place from 6–11 p.m.
“I began this collection to preserve and share historic artifacts with others in hopes of telling stories of our shared past and culture and inspiring people to dream big and strive for great things in life,” Irsay said in a release. “I am only a steward of this collection, so it’s my job to share it with as many people as I can.”
Admission is free and, as of this writing, a limited number of tickets remain available. Those registering for tickets can also contribute to Irsay’s Kick the Stigma campaign, an initiative to raise mental health awareness.
“I want no money,” Irsay told Reuters. “This is my effort to make the world a better place. It’s to allow people to see it and share these things.”
What’s On Display?
Irsay’s exhibit has a little bit for everybody, but the heart of the experience is a guitar collection described last year by Guitar Magazine as “The Greatest Guitars on Earth.”
Among the collection are instruments owned and used by The Beatles, Prince, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Johnny Cash, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, John Coltrane, The Edge, and others.
The collection also includes handwritten lyrics, signed photos, and other memorabilia from the artists.
Historical Items
If music isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of American history in the collection. Items that will be on display include:
- An 1823 William J. Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence, considered one of the first exact facsimiles of the actual document.
- Handwritten notes, documents, and artifacts from Susan B. Anthony.
- Signed documents and artifacts from a number of U.S. presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy.
Pop Culture Displays
An eclectic collection of pop culture and sports memorabilia will also be on display, including:
- Sylvester Stallone’s original manuscript notes for his Oscar-winning film Rocky.
- Jack Kerouac’s original 119-foot scroll for his novel On the Road.
- A 1953 game-used Jackie Robinson baseball bat.
- Muhammad Ali’s championship belt from his 1974 fight with George Foreman and boxing shoes from his 1975 fight with Joe Frazier.
- The original manuscript for Alcoholics Anonymous’s Big Book, the group’s founding document that includes the origin of the organization’s 12-step program.
Concert
The evening will also include some live music, with Irsay taking the lead and an all-star band backing him. Special guests will include Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.
Other members of the band include Mike Mills, one of the founding members of REM; Kenny Aronoff, a drummer who has worked with Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Sting, and others; Carmella Ramsey, who worked with Olivia Newton-John, John Hiatt, and others; and many more.
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