“GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World” @ Berkshire Museum

Strummed or picked, acoustic or electric, playing a hard rock anthem or gentle folk tune, the guitar is the most popular instrument in the world.

Opening today (Friday, May 19) at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, “GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World” is a fully immersive exhibition exploring all aspects of one of the most enduring musical icons of the last 200 years.

Visitors to the touring exhibition of the National Guitar Museum will experience the guitar – its history, evolution and design, as well as the music it’s created and the technology that continues to enhance it. The exhibit covers the science, sound and cultural impact of the guitar in a family-friendly installation that contains more than 70 instruments, from the rare and antique to the popular and innovative, as well as performance videos, audio stations, hands-on interactives, models, touchscreens and photographs.

The opening reception and party to launch “GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World” will be held from 5:30-7:30pm today (Friday, May 19), featuring live music by the Berkshire Jazz Collective, chart-topping food, complimentary wine, beer and signature cocktail. Tickets are $40; $20 child.

The exhibition will remain on view through Monday, September 4.