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There’s much to like about the new GRAMMY Museum at LA Live, but most of all is how visitors will interact with the one-of-a-kind space come this Saturday when the doors are opened to the public for the first time.

Tuesday’s media gathering was the first public look inside the brand-new museum, with final touches and last-minute tweaks being made to signage, programming, and lighting systems.

A total of $34 million was spent to bring the venue to Los Angeles, and though it seems a natural fit with the large music industry presence here — not to mention the GRAMMYs are held here — other contender cities, including Memphis and New Orleans, had a stronger hand in the running.

The final push needed to keep the project in Los Angeles, however, was AEG’s ten-year financial backing commitment and the development of LA Live.

“This is going to become — very quickly — the hub of pop culture and pop music in Los Angeles,” said Executive Director Robert Santelli of LA Live.

Santelli joins the GRAMMY Museum with a background at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Experience Music Project.

While both of those pillars of the music industry focus on the history of music in American culture, the GRAMMY Museum offers another level of interactivity, creating a destination for tourists, school kids and music enthusiasts across LA.

Digital media triumphs, since it’s the only way to pack over 100 genres of music into the four-level museum.   Listening stations and sound-recording “pods” give visitors the chance to experience the recording industry hands-on, while educational content will be available for download across the globe.

With all the international attention soon to be heaped on the project and its star-powered exhibits, talented independent acts aren’t left at the wayside:  The museum’s Emerging Artsts Concert Series brings new, talented local acts to the Nokia Plaza for free performances.

Opening-day tickets are still available for purchase at $14.95 per adult (discounts for children, students and members available).  Given the exciting history and content within the museum’s walls, it’s a must-see for any musically inclined Angeleno or tourist alike.

-More photos on flickr
-Also at blogdowntown, Curbed LA

The GRAMMY Museum at LA Live
800 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Opens Saturday, December 6, 2008
grammymuseum.org
-Tickets