Enough city for EMP, Sci-Fi

The huge, multicolored blob of steel brimming with musical paraphernalia and known as the Experience Music Project (EMP) has attracted many a musically minded tourist in its day. Because it houses memorabilia from the musical greats, documents the evolution of pop and offers music labs and hands-on learning centers, the museum is probably worth the $20 admission price.

However, a storm is brewing near the Space Needle. The tempest -- also known as the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (SFM) -- is threatening to burst forth and wreck havoc on the world of priceless vinyls and old guitars.

Music-lovers, beware: A plastic R2D2 action figure may hit you square in the forehead if you're not careful.

Why would a musical epicenter like Seattle ruin the rock 'n' roll vibe by inviting a bunch of sci-fi dweebs to share building space?

"America created rock 'n' roll, but America perfected science fiction," said Bob Santelli, director of EMP programs. "The purpose of the EMP is to celebrate largely American art and pop culture."

According to Santelli, the SFM will attract more attention to the EMP, thereby raising the museum's recently faltering revenues.

But does this mean that music isn't as important to Seattle as it once was? Did the EMP simply not cut it as a solo museum? Santelli quickly rejected these theories, saying that the EMP was never meant to stand alone.

The EMP and SFM, Santelli said, are offspring of the Experience Learning Community (ELC), the first brainchild of Paul Allen. The purpose of the ELC is to celebrate all American culture, including music and science fiction. The SFM, Santelli said, is simply the next installment in a series of tributes to pop culture.

Santelli hinted that future additions will join the two existing museums, though he would not say exactly what they will be.

Still, doesn't the idea of the SFM seem to detract from the music-loving atmosphere of the EMP? Concert sales will probably drop, people will lose respect for that semi-loveable blob of colorful metal in Seattle Center, and the local music scene will decline beyond repair ... right?

According to Santelli, nothing could be further from the truth. The SFM is actually going to house a 700-person concert space, called Level 3, that has already been booked by very well-known bands, bands that would likely have played in the EMP's Sky Church venue.

"Science fiction is an important part of American popular culture," said Santelli. "The goal of the EMP is to deal with American pop culture."

Maybe Santelli is right after all. Maybe this city is big enough for both rock stars and little green men.