The GRAMMY Museum is turning up the volume on November 8th, inviting music lovers to a free all-day celebration of sound, creativity, and rhythm in collaboration with Roland Corporation. The event, titled “Mix at the Museum: A Roland Free Day,” will transform the museum into an interactive playground for anyone who’s ever wanted to make music—or just feel closer to it.
The partnership builds on Roland’s recent release of the TR-1000 Rhythm Creator, the company’s latest innovation in its iconic TR drum machine lineage. Touted as “a renaissance in rhythm,” the TR-1000 is designed for modern creators and will take center stage throughout the day’s live performances and workshops. It’s a fitting symbol for an event that blurs the line between artist and audience, giving visitors a chance to experience music-making from the inside out.
The museum’s second floor will host the aptly named "Sonic Playground," where guests can experiment with beats, loops, instruments, and sound design. The Roland Stage will be stocked with everything from guitars to a Roland RD Stage keyboard, an AX-EDGE keytar, and V-Drums percussion—basically, a dream setup for anyone who’s ever air-drummed in traffic. No experience is required to hop on stage, but if you’d rather watch the pros in action, you’ll want to catch the live looping session with educator and performer John Allen, followed by a jam with J.Mo & The Greats, the Los Angeles soul-funk band led by four-time GRAMMY winner Jairus “J-Mo” Mozee.
Over in the Clive Davis Theater, the day shifts into education-meets-inspiration mode. Roland and Venice Music—a platform for independent artists offering distribution, marketing, and career support—will present a workshop on how artists can build rollout strategies, align with brands, and develop sustainable careers. Later in the day, Colombian producer and multi-instrumentalist Ali Stone will host a “Track Talk,” breaking down one of her own productions before taking the stage for a live set. Stone, a five-time Latin GRAMMY nominee who has collaborated with Major Lazer and Alok, knows a thing or two about turning creative spark into sonic fire.
The rhythm continues to rise on the Ray Charles Terrace, where DJs will keep the energy flowing under the open Los Angeles sky. Justin Paul—DJ, producer, and educator—will take a turn behind the decks, as will Lyric Jones, a versatile vocalist, songwriter, and DJ active in the house and dance scenes. The highlight, though, might just be Detroit techno pioneer Kenny Larkin’s live set, which will feature the new Roland TR-1000 in action—a perfect bridge between electronic music’s past and future.
Beyond the music, visitors can explore several of the museum’s standout exhibits, including RetroBlakesberg, a visual journey through three decades of music history captured by photographer Jay Blakesberg; Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance, which offers an intimate look at the late legend’s creative process; and Michael Jackson: The Thriller Years, 1982–1984, featuring original artifacts and wardrobe pieces from the Jackson estate. If you’ve ever wondered what Taylor Swift wore on the red carpet or wanted to see the sartorial sparkle of the latest GRAMMYs, On The Red Carpet has you covered too.
Admission to “Mix at the Museum” is free, though RSVPs are strongly encouraged. It’s rare to find an event that merges the tactile joy of playing music with the cultural depth of a museum visit, but Roland and the GRAMMY Museum seem determined to make that mix hit just right. Whether you’re a gearhead, an aspiring artist, or just looking for an inspired Saturday in Los Angeles, this might be the day to let your inner producer out to play.
More details and RSVPs are available at grammymuseum.org
