What you need to know about opening of National Museum of African American History and Culture
WASHINGTON - The nation's capital is once again rolling out the red carpet for people from all over the world. The opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture is on Sept. 24 and it is the hottest ticket in town.
It is not only what is going on inside the museum that has people excited, but the celebration scheduled to take place outside the museum is also generating enthusiasm.
Here is what you need to know:
1) President Obama to speak at opening ceremony
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will be on hand for the opening ceremony on Sept. 24. They will be joined by former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will attend as well.
2) 3-day festival celebration
The entire weekend has been planned out for those in town to celebrate. "Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration" is a three-day festival that will take place on the Washington Monument grounds from Friday, Sept. 23 to Sunday, Sept. 25. It will include music, dance, oral history activities and two big concerts on Saturday and Sunday night. Performers will include the rock band Living Colour along with hip-hop groups Public Enemy and The Roots on Saturday and singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello and D.C.-based go-go band Experience Unlimited on Sunday.
3) Timed passes required to visit museum
Have you gotten your passes yet? Well, you might be out of luck. Because there is so much interest in getting in, the Smithsonian has offered extended hours and timed passes for those wanting to schedule a tour of the museum. But when we checked the museum's website, the earliest openings we found at this time was in November.
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