I have been quite taken with "The Surf Ballroom", in Clear Lake, Iowa. I knew that Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper had died in a plane crash, flying from a gig in Iowa to a gig in Minnesota.
But I always thought of their gig in Iowa as an arena or old theatre, so I was very interested to see this venue, that turned out to be a very intriguing old Ballroom.
We toured what they call the green room, which certainly is not green, but white walls signed by hundreds and hundreds of stars that have performed in the ballroom. There are signatures from everyone from "The Glenn Miller Orchestra", to "The Head Hunters".
There are even signatures on the fronts, backs and even the edges of the doors and also on the ceiling.
The dance floor is beautiful and huge. But it's size can be altered, by filling it in, somewhat with tables. Which was still set up from a luncheon, that had just occurred, when we visited.
As you step up off of the dance floor you see three tiered layers of booths, that go all the way around the dance floor. All of the booths are made to hold up to six people. With just the booths, this venue holds 2100 people.
Even from the furthest back row of booths you can see the whole dance floor and have a good view of the stage. With this layout you also have easy access to the dance floor at all times, without the usual, "Excuse me, pardon me." as you try to squeeze past chairs to get up and dance. It is reminiscent of the old night clubs of the 30s or what you see when you go to a show in Vegas
Then we come to the memorabilia that this place contains. All of the famous artists that have performed here, have signed and donated items for display. B.B. King donated a signed guitar.
Charlie Daniels gave a signed fiddle.
It just goes on and on. Far to many to list here, but well worth seeing.
I think they were running out of space, so they started putting them on display above the bar.
Then there was the history section, about the original Dance Hall, that was built across the street in 1933, and featured all the Big Bands of the day. It burned down in 1947 and was rebuilt on it's present location and re-opened in 1948. Dance Bands were still going strong in those days. I remember the huge Dance Hall we had at Grand Beach, when I was a kid.
All in all, it is a very interesting way to spend a day if you're ever in the area of Clear Lake, Iowa.
I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT
