It Don’t Mean a Thing: The Culture of Big Band

Live music is on tap at the next “Saturdays at the Museum” series at Utah State University’s Museum of Anthropology. Big Band music to be specific.

“It Don’t Mean a Thing: The Culture of Big Band,” a musical celebration for all ages of the Big Band era from the 1930s to the late 1950s is presented, featuring live music by the Tic Seamon’s Swing Band. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with music performances at noon and 1:30 p.m. There will also be swing dancing with the USU Swing Club, providing lessons for guests who want to refine their skills.

Children and families can participate in an interactive instrument display, in which guests can try their hand at some of the common instruments of the big band era.  Cultural and historical information displays are available at the museum so guests can read about the roots of this distinctive style of music.  

“It was big band legend Duke Ellington who first sang the lyrics ‘It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.’ The song has since become a classic with its catchy melody and swing rhythm,” said USU Museum of Anthropology intern Rachael Steineckart. “As Ellington puts it, ‘you’ve got to find a way of saying it without saying it.'”

Community members, as well as Utah State students, can visit the museum during its operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Funding for the Saturday events is provided by a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online (www.imls.gov).

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.

For more information about this event, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website (anthromuseum.usu.edu).

The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.