The Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center is a nonprofit, city-owned, multi-use arts and performance venue located at the corner of Third Street and Elm Tree Lane in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. Opened in 1948 as a cultural hub of Lexington's segregated African-American community, the Lyric closed in 1963 and remained in disrepair for almost 50 years.[1] Planning for this renovation began in the 1990s.[2] In 2010, the Urban County Council of Lexington allotted $6 million to revive and reopen the theater under a new mission as a center for art, community, history, and education.[3] The renovated building seats 540 in its proscenium theater and now includes an African-American culture museum, rotating gallery, courtyard, and 325-capacity multi-purpose room.[4] The Lyric hosts arts performances, rental events, luncheons, movie viewings, youth programs, and other events.
Rooted in its African-American heritage, the Lyric focuses on community development in Lexington's East End.[5] The self-stated mission of the Lyric Theatre is "to preserve, promote, present and celebrate diverse cultures with special emphasis on African-American cultural heritage through artistic presentations of the highest quality, educational programming and outreach, film, and opportunities for community inclusion."[6] The Lyric currently hosts a range of community-focused programs, including the Lyric Black Lens Film Series and Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour.[7]
Originally built as a movie house, the Lyric opened at the corner of Third and Deweese Street (now Elm Tree Lane) in 1948. It became a thriving entertainment hub for Lexington's African-American community.[4] Its architecture was a blend of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival styles. Wrote Janet Holloway in an article for Smiley Pete Publishing,
Only the lobby's tile floor, box office and marquee retain the original look today. Architect Susan Hill has said she found few original features that could be preserved, but what is preserved are memories and a strong history of African American life in Lexington during those years.[8]
During the 1950s, the Lyric hosted performances by big-name jazz and R&B performers like Ray Charles, Count Basie, B.B. King, Wynonie Harris, Mercer Ellington, and Billy Brown. One Lexington resident claimed to have seen James Brown perform there.[3] The theatre also hosted movies, vaudeville acts, fashion shows, local concerts, and pageants. Several small black-owned business, including ice cream bars and clothing stores, were also located in and around the theatre.[1]
In 1963, the Lyric closed due to a steady decline in patronage from the surrounding community, largely a result of desegregation.[1] In the years before closing, it returned to its roots as a movie theater, featuring horror films, black cowboy movies, and Saturday morning cartoons. The building sat decaying and empty for three decades. Community members pressed for renovation throughout the 1990s.[8] In 1996, the city of Lexington faced a lawsuit from the state of Kentucky for failing to build a downtown cultural center as it had promised. As part of the settlement, the city agreed to renovate the Lyric.[9] The groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday, July 16, 2009.[10]
On October 28, 2010, then-Lexington mayor Jim Newberry cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Lyric's grand reopening ceremony[11] under its new mission as a community and cultural arts center. Celebration activities included the hanging of a community quilt in the theatre lobby, the unveiling of a ceramic tile wall with the motto "We Rise," and a gallery exhibition by Lexington folk artist La Von Williams. The weekend also included a variety of performances by artists including poet Nikki Finney, acting troupe Agape Theatre Group, blues singer Tee Dee Young, and Los Angeles star Miki Howard, who performed not only R&B but also Billie Holiday classics.[12]
A nationwide search for an executive director took place in the year of its opening.[9] The first executive director was Yetta Young, who served from April 2011 to late 2013.[13] Rasheedah El-Amin assumed the director position in January 2014 following Young's departure. After El-Amin's departure in February 2015, Donald Mason was made interim director, and then officially named executive director in October 2015.[14] In April 2019, the Lyric announced the search for a new director.[15]
Whit Whitaker joined the Lyric as executive director in August 2019.[16][17]
Board of directorsEdit
The Lyric's 15-member board operates under the auspices of the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government. Composed of leadership from the East End neighborhood, elected officials, artists, and members of the business community, the Lyric board oversees the management of and programming for the Lyric Theatre.[18]
Since 2013, the Lyric Theatre has hosted the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour. Actress and singer Miki Howard performed at the Lyric Theatre's reopening ceremony in October 2010,[19] as well as Ben Sollee, Tee Dee and Scandalous, the Sacred Drum Ensemble, and the Agape Theatre Troupe. Nikky Finney read a new poem honoring the theater and Bianca Spriggs gave a reading.[20]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcWKYT. "Excitement building as reopening of Lyric Theatre draws near". Retrieved 2017-05-18.
^Bryan, Ruth; Dorpinghaus, Sarah (July 29, 2017). "The basic archives workshop: A partnership between Kentucky community organizations and University of Kentucky libraries". Society of American Archivists Liberated Archives Forum 2017.
^"Celebrating the Lyric". Smiley Pete Publishing. 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
^"Q & A With The New Executive Director of The Lyric Theatre | LexTown Publications". keyconversationsradio.com. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
^"Lyric Theatre names Donald Mason as executive director". Smiley Pete Publishing. 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
^"Lyric Theatre announces search for new executive director - Lane Report | Kentucky Business & Economic News". Retrieved 2020-02-13.
^Czar, Karyn. "Whit Whitaker Named Executive Director For Lyric Theatre". www.wuky.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
^Johnson, Stu (8 August 2019). "A Familiar Face And Voice Called Upon To Head Lyric Theatre". www.weku.fm. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
^. www.lexingtonky.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-01-18.
^Copley, Rich (October 10, 2015). "Historic Lyric Theatre is reborn". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
^Copley, Rich; Kegley, Josh (October 29, 2010). "Historic Lyric Theatre reopens in Lexington". The Associated Press State & Local Wire. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
External linksEdit
Official website
October 19, 2023
lyric, theatre, cultural, arts, center, lexington, kentucky, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, relies, excessively, references, primary, so. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center Lexington Kentucky news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center Lexington Kentucky news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message The Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center is a nonprofit city owned multi use arts and performance venue located at the corner of Third Street and Elm Tree Lane in Lexington Kentucky United States Opened in 1948 as a cultural hub of Lexington s segregated African American community the Lyric closed in 1963 and remained in disrepair for almost 50 years 1 Planning for this renovation began in the 1990s 2 In 2010 the Urban County Council of Lexington allotted 6 million to revive and reopen the theater under a new mission as a center for art community history and education 3 The renovated building seats 540 in its proscenium theater and now includes an African American culture museum rotating gallery courtyard and 325 capacity multi purpose room 4 The Lyric hosts arts performances rental events luncheons movie viewings youth programs and other events Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts CenterAddress300 E 3rd StreetLocationLexington KentuckyCapacity530ConstructionOpened1946 1946 Renovated2010TenantsWoodSongs Old Time Radio HourWebsitewww wbr lexingtonlyric wbr comRooted in its African American heritage the Lyric focuses on community development in Lexington s East End 5 The self stated mission of the Lyric Theatre is to preserve promote present and celebrate diverse cultures with special emphasis on African American cultural heritage through artistic presentations of the highest quality educational programming and outreach film and opportunities for community inclusion 6 The Lyric currently hosts a range of community focused programs including the Lyric Black Lens Film Series and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour 7 Contents 1 History 2 Board of directors 3 Notable performers and performances 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditOriginally built as a movie house the Lyric opened at the corner of Third and Deweese Street now Elm Tree Lane in 1948 It became a thriving entertainment hub for Lexington s African American community 4 Its architecture was a blend of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival styles Wrote Janet Holloway in an article for Smiley Pete Publishing Only the lobby s tile floor box office and marquee retain the original look today Architect Susan Hill has said she found few original features that could be preserved but what is preserved are memories and a strong history of African American life in Lexington during those years 8 During the 1950s the Lyric hosted performances by big name jazz and R amp B performers like Ray Charles Count Basie B B King Wynonie Harris Mercer Ellington and Billy Brown One Lexington resident claimed to have seen James Brown perform there 3 The theatre also hosted movies vaudeville acts fashion shows local concerts and pageants Several small black owned business including ice cream bars and clothing stores were also located in and around the theatre 1 In 1963 the Lyric closed due to a steady decline in patronage from the surrounding community largely a result of desegregation 1 In the years before closing it returned to its roots as a movie theater featuring horror films black cowboy movies and Saturday morning cartoons The building sat decaying and empty for three decades Community members pressed for renovation throughout the 1990s 8 In 1996 the city of Lexington faced a lawsuit from the state of Kentucky for failing to build a downtown cultural center as it had promised As part of the settlement the city agreed to renovate the Lyric 9 The groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday July 16 2009 10 On October 28 2010 then Lexington mayor Jim Newberry cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Lyric s grand reopening ceremony 11 under its new mission as a community and cultural arts center Celebration activities included the hanging of a community quilt in the theatre lobby the unveiling of a ceramic tile wall with the motto We Rise and a gallery exhibition by Lexington folk artist La Von Williams The weekend also included a variety of performances by artists including poet Nikki Finney acting troupe Agape Theatre Group blues singer Tee Dee Young and Los Angeles star Miki Howard who performed not only R amp B but also Billie Holiday classics 12 A nationwide search for an executive director took place in the year of its opening 9 The first executive director was Yetta Young who served from April 2011 to late 2013 13 Rasheedah El Amin assumed the director position in January 2014 following Young s departure After El Amin s departure in February 2015 Donald Mason was made interim director and then officially named executive director in October 2015 14 In April 2019 the Lyric announced the search for a new director 15 Whit Whitaker joined the Lyric as executive director in August 2019 16 17 Board of directors EditThe Lyric s 15 member board operates under the auspices of the Lexington Fayette County Urban Government Composed of leadership from the East End neighborhood elected officials artists and members of the business community the Lyric board oversees the management of and programming for the Lyric Theatre 18 Board Chair Councilmember James Brown Vice Chair Percy Thomas Treasurer Olivia Davis Secretary Latarika Young Christian L Adair Wallace Barber George Brown Olivia N Davis Carolyn J Dunn Shuling Fister Glenda George Astarre Gudino Seon Jackson Melissa Murphy Daniel Sheehan Patricia C Tatum Frank X WalkerNotable performers and performances EditSince 2013 the Lyric Theatre has hosted the WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour Actress and singer Miki Howard performed at the Lyric Theatre s reopening ceremony in October 2010 19 as well as Ben Sollee Tee Dee and Scandalous the Sacred Drum Ensemble and the Agape Theatre Troupe Nikky Finney read a new poem honoring the theater and Bianca Spriggs gave a reading 20 References Edit a b c WKYT Excitement building as reopening of Lyric Theatre draws near Retrieved 2017 05 18 Bryan Ruth Dorpinghaus Sarah July 29 2017 The basic archives workshop A partnership between Kentucky community organizations and University of Kentucky libraries Society of American Archivists Liberated Archives Forum 2017 a b Lexington theater s revival raises neighborhood hopes The Herald Dispatch Associated Press Retrieved 2017 05 18 a b Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center Lexington KY www visitlex com Retrieved 2017 03 10 Mission of The Lyric Theatre www lexingtonlyric com Retrieved 2017 02 22 Lyric Theatre amp Cultural Arts Center kentuckytourism com Retrieved 2017 03 10 Programming www lexingtonlyric com Retrieved 2021 03 03 a b Celebrating the Lyric Smiley Pete Publishing 2012 03 02 Retrieved 2017 05 18 a b Lyric Theatre plans October reopening celebration kentucky Retrieved 2017 05 18 Lyric groundbreaking set for 10 a m Thursday kentucky Retrieved 2017 05 18 Reopening Timeline www lexingtonlyric com Retrieved 2017 05 18 Celebrating the Lyric Smiley Pete Publishing 2012 03 02 Retrieved 2017 05 18 Q amp A With The New Executive Director of The Lyric Theatre LexTown Publications keyconversationsradio com Retrieved 2017 05 18 Lyric Theatre names Donald Mason as executive director Smiley Pete Publishing 2015 10 06 Retrieved 2017 05 18 Lyric Theatre announces search for new executive director Lane Report Kentucky Business amp Economic News Retrieved 2020 02 13 Czar Karyn Whit Whitaker Named Executive Director For Lyric Theatre www wuky org Retrieved 2020 02 13 Johnson Stu 8 August 2019 A Familiar Face And Voice Called Upon To Head Lyric Theatre www weku fm Retrieved 2020 02 13 Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center Board of Directors City of Lexington www lexingtonky gov Archived from the original on 2017 01 18 Copley Rich October 10 2015 Historic Lyric Theatre is reborn Lexington Herald Leader Retrieved February 27 2021 Copley Rich Kegley Josh October 29 2010 Historic Lyric Theatre reopens in Lexington The Associated Press State amp Local Wire Retrieved March 3 2021 External links EditOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center Lexington Kentucky amp oldid 1177464058, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
