It’s hard to imagine watching a science fiction classic like The Day the Earth Stood Still or It Came from Outer Space without recalling the haunting, spooky, otherworldly sound of the world’s first electronic musical instrument: the theremin.
For many people, the movies were their first encounter with its ethereal tone — a sound unlike anything else, performed by a musician who appears to pinch and shape invisible notes from thin air.
“They’re almost impossible to play,” says Director of Operations Charlie Bryan, standing beside the Museum’s original 1929 RCA theremin. “There are no strings, no keys, no valves, no frets — nothing to blow into or strike. Just two metal antennas generating an electromagnetic field that interacts with you, the conductor.”
“Not a symphony conductor,” adds President & CEO John Jenkins. “Though you might feel like one when you wave your hands through the air.”
“It’s more of an electronic whoopee cushion than a musical instrument,” jokes Director of Programs Abby Whatley. “About all we can get it to do is make rude noises.”
That’s about to change.
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention proudly presents Out of the Air: The Electrifying Theremin — an immersive, projection-illustrated “informance” by internationally acclaimed theremin virtuoso and scholar Dennis James.
“The theremin is the cornerstone of electronic music, with a fascinating history,” says Bryan. “Dennis James does a spectacular job of revealing both the science and the artistry behind our favorite out-of-this-world instrument.”
Dennis James is an accomplished American multi-instrumentalist, preservationist, and one of the world’s leading theremin performers. He is also celebrated for reviving Benjamin Franklin’s glass armonica (more on that later) and other rare period instruments.
“James is also a serious scholar and historian,” adds Bryan. “He specializes in rare and obscure musical instruments, like the Ondes Martenot and the Cristal Baschet.”
(Dennis James and the SPARK Museum are both proud owners of the original RCA theremin, produced in 1929. “It’s a small club,” laughs Jenkins. “They only made five hundred of the original, and that was it.”)
James has performed at prestigious venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival, and the Tanglewood Festival with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared with major ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and is internationally renowned for his work with historic instruments.
He was the final student of legendary theremin virtuoso Clara Rockmore (1911–1989), widely considered the greatest performer in the instrument’s history. Rockmore — and a young Dennis James — were featured in the definitive documentary Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1995).
“Clara Rockmore was the first electronic music star,” says Whatley. “Dennis carries that legacy forward, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to SPARK.”
Out of the Air: The Electrifying Theremin blends virtuosic performance with rich storytelling, featuring works by composers such as Josef Schillinger, George Gershwin, and Sergei Rachmaninoff, alongside fascinating insights into the life of the instrument’s mysterious inventor, Leon Theremin.
“Dennis James is the real deal — as rare as the instruments he plays,” says Bryan. “Tickets for the March 28 show are going fast, so contact the Museum soon if you want to attend this very special event.”
“We’d love to have Dennis return next year with his glass armonica presentation,” says Whatley. “We’re obviously big fans of Ben Franklin, and a glass armonica performance at SPARK feels like a match made in heaven.”
“Like peanut butter and jelly,” declares Jenkins.
“Toasted,” adds Bryan.
Stay grounded.
Tickets (while available) can be purchased at:
www.sparkmuseum.org/events/out-of-the-air-the-electrifying-theremin/
Special Encore Event:
On Sunday, March 29, Dennis James and Mark Goldstein will perform a live soundtrack to the silent sci-fi classic Aelita: Queen of Mars at the Mount Baker Theatre. James is internationally renowned for his historically informed live accompaniment of silent films and specialized concert performances.
You won’t want to miss this one either!
Ticket information:
www.mountbakertheatre.com/events-tickets/aelita-queen-of-mars/