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The rebirth of the historic Lincoln Theater has been years in the making, but the end is finally in sight. In three short months, the final construction will be completed for a grand opening scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend.
The 574-seat theater is being beautifully restored and updated with a larger stage, modern sound and lighting equipment, and a grand new entrance on the side of the building that includes an overlooking balcony reception area.
The second floor houses a rehearsal/reception area that will host both public and private events. This space includes another overlooking balcony, second small stage, and bar area. It will be available for booking private events such as wedding receptions, fundraisers and galas.
The third floor is home to the new Jazz Academy, a one-of-a-kind instructional and educational space that will host music workshops, provide music recording opportunities, and classes aimed a variety of skill levels and age groups.
The following photos were taken this morning (construction was going on, so you can actually see a lot of dust particles in some photos). Stay tuned for more as the opening date nears.
Looks good. I can’t wait until this opens. What a gem for this community.
I’m now liking what they’re doing to the side of the building. I also like those new 30MPH speed limit signs on Long.
The Egyptian Revival décor is beautiful!
I’ve been inside the Lincoln every 6 months or so since 1999, and seeing this crumbling historic building reborn is almost more urban crack (thank you Ezell) than an urbanisto can handle. It is beautiful inside and will bring much light and life to the neighborhood. Thank you to Mr. Underground for coming over the other day to visit.
Ha. It’s the least I can do. If I can’t make the 60-second walk to the Lincoln, than what kind of urbanist am I? ;)
I can’t wait for this to open. Will be great not only to check out shows here, but also just to sit outside at Zanzibar across the street during a busy show and take in the new buzz and energy in the neighborhood.
Got my fingers crossed that this could help to fill in that restaurant space across the street too. LOADS of potential there for the dinner-and-a-show crowd. Park once. Hit both.
What kind of shows are they going to have at this theater?
CAPA will be doing the programming, and I know that the Columbus Jazz Orchestra will be performing there pretty regularly. It sounds like there will be a mix of local and national acts coming through. I’d imagine a focus on jazz, but probably not just limited to that.
Since the capacity (574 seats) is smaller than The Ohio (2,779) or Palace (2,827) or even the Southern (933) I imagine that CAPA will be shifting some of their smaller events over to the Lincoln. I spoke to an employee there that mentioned a recent show they booked at the Southern that was half-full that would have been a great packed-house show at the Lincoln.
I’m sure we’ll see some details going up soon on CAPA’s website with upcoming shows and programming.
From The Dispatch Today:
Theater reborn as feast for eyes near Downtown
Monday, February 16, 2009
BY MIKE PRAMIK
Standing on the balcony of the Lincoln Theatre, it’s tempting to look up, rather than toward the stage.
The theater’s vivid ceiling seems almost as much a work of art as the performances that promise to originate from the theater platform on Memorial Day weekend. It took 1,200 hours to re-create the ceiling’s original design, an example of the painstaking detail with which the 1920s-era historic theater is being renovated.
Once the heart of the King-Lincoln District, the theater at 771 E. Long St. could become the linchpin of that neighborhood’s revitalization. It’s about 80 percent completed, said Todd Bemis, chief operating officer for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.
This is an incredible asset and just what the neighborhood needs to take us to NEXT. Can’t wait to have the theater open and King Lincoln written up nationally – there will be a lot of new folks moving to King Lincoln looking for great houses, architecture, value and a trendy location – just hope this area doesn’t gentrify and maintains its very cool electic vibe here – very accepting and very cool – German and Vickie Villages don’t get too jealous about not having your own theaters – but read the book “A TREE grows on Brooklyn.” We even have brick paved streets and alleys North of Broad to boot! You are invited to check it out dudes
Nice to see it almost done! Especially after hearing about how it would be coming back to life for 25 years of my life…
Short 30 Video Clip. MORE HERE.
Beginning with an open house on Memorial Day (May 25), the nationally known performers and local arts groups will fill the 574-seat facility with a week of performances.
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Press Release:
SUZAN BRADFORD NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF LINCOLN THEATRE
The Lincoln Theatre Association (LTA) has selected Suzan Bradford as General Manager of the Lincoln Theatre. In this role, Bradford will be responsible for all operational aspects of the theatre and second-floor ballroom to provide superior customer service to all patrons, renters, and resident groups. She will also serve as a liaison with King-Lincoln businesses and community groups.
“We are confident in Suzan’s background in the arts and know that her creativity and managerial skills will prove an invaluable asset to the Lincoln Theatre,†stated LTA Board President Larry James. “She is also a respected and active member of the community with a track record of excellence.â€Â
“I am thrilled to be a part of such an important project for Columbus and the King-Lincoln District,†said Bradford. “The Lincoln Theatre will be an exceptional resource for us all, and I look forward to working to ensure its success.â€Â
Bradford was most recently employed as a Prevention Specialist for Project Linden, Inc., a private, non-profit outpatient alcohol and drug treatment and prevention services center. As Prevention Specialist, Bradford worked with local public high schools and pre-release facilities to disseminate information on the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
She also recently served as adjunct faculty for the Ohio State University Department of Dance, lecturing and teaching techniques of West African dance. Bradford is one of the founders of the Thiossane West African Dance Institute, a Columbus dance company established to preserve and present traditional West African dance, music, and culture through community outreach, lectures, demonstrations, school programs, residencies, workshops, and professional performances.
Prior experience includes Program Director for the YWCA, adjunct faculty for Antioch College, and manager of GG Unlimited. Bradford has also served as an adjudicator for Columbus Movement Movement (cm2), artist in residence for the Ohio Arts Council, choreographer for the Columbus Area Mental Health production of the Chocolate Nutcracker, and facilitator for the Institute for Education in the Arts.
She has also been certified in professional grant writing and has completed a Greater Columbus Arts Council professional workshop for teaching artists.
Born Again – Lincoln Theatre makes a comeback
By: Alicia Kelso
How lucky we Columbusites are to have such a diverse collection of historical theatres in our midst. From the Ohio, with its lavish Spanish baroque architecture and 21-foot-high chandelier, to the Palace, designed in the spirit of France’s Palais de Versaille, and the Southern – the oldest surviving theatre in Central Ohio, having opened in 1896.
Of course there is also the majestic Lincoln, which once thrived courtesy of performances by jazz legends Count Basie, James Brown, Etta James, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Columbus native Nancy Wilson.
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