Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre is a performance center in Lexington, Kentucky dedicated to the promotion and celebration of diverse cultures with a special emphasis on African-American heritage and history. Opening in 1948, the Lyric hosted pageants, concerts, talent acts, and other entertainment ventures in a historically black community. The Lyric Theatre featured B. B. King, Ray Charles, Count Basie, and others. The theater was shut down in 1963, but reopened in 2010. Currently, the Lyric contains art and pop culture exhibits, hosts performances and community events.
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Openning
The Lyric Theatre openned in Lexington in 1948, on the corner of Third and Deweese Streets. The building was openned as an African American movie theater, though it would soon become the home of various other forms of entertainment. Among these included numerous vaudeville acts, which consisted of a variety of unrelated performances and talent acts ranging from classical music to dancing to one-act plays. The theater soon blossomed into an artistic center and the cultural icon of Lexington's East End, attaching visitors and performers from various walks of life and parts of the country.
Performances
The Lyric Theatre hosted a wide variety of performances, from cartoons and movies to talent shows and music acts. Since it served as the premier cultural center for Afrivan American entertainment in the city, and even throughout the state, performers flocked from far and wide to take part in the Lyric Theatre music scene. Thus the stage was graced by a variety of famous performers. B.B. King, the celebrated artist of songs such as "Blue Boy Tune," "The Thrill has Gone," and "Rock me Baby." Peformers also included Ray Charles, the jazz singer of "Hit the Road Jack" and "Can't Stop Loving You."
However, performances were not the only draw to the Lyric: a wide variety of African-American owned shops were set up around the theater and its happenings, turning the East End into not only a cultural center, but also a thriving business area. Stores that were established included hat stores, grocers, and ice cream shops. Local performances were also hosted: the theater was the site of beauty pageants and talent shows featuring natives of the East End.
However, performances were not the only draw to the Lyric: a wide variety of African-American owned shops were set up around the theater and its happenings, turning the East End into not only a cultural center, but also a thriving business area. Stores that were established included hat stores, grocers, and ice cream shops. Local performances were also hosted: the theater was the site of beauty pageants and talent shows featuring natives of the East End.
Closing
Unfortunately, the Lyric Theater closed in 1963, and would not reopen again until 2009.
Reopenning
The Lyric Theatre reopened on October 28, 2010, after almost half a century of disuse. The current facility contains the theatre, which hosts performances from community members and other groups, as well as the Deweese Street room that hosts everything from weddings, receptions, galleries, and performances. In addition, the Lyric is home to numerous art exhibits promoting diversity, with a focus on African-American art and culture.
The reopening of the Lyric was met with much excitement: the restoration was seen as a revitalization of the East End itself. Joan Brannon, one of the people working for years to enable the restoration, was overjoyed at the opening, stating that "We needed art, vibrancy, a place to come together, and now we have it." Many feel that the restoration signifies a much larger change in the community itself, helping to boost the spirits of community members and serve as an art and culture center for an area previously lacking one. As stated by Thomas Tolliver: "I welcome the re-opening of the Lyric because of what it does for the image and indeed the spirit of the East End neighborhood. To me, it says the East End is on the rise again."
The reopening of the Lyric was met with much excitement: the restoration was seen as a revitalization of the East End itself. Joan Brannon, one of the people working for years to enable the restoration, was overjoyed at the opening, stating that "We needed art, vibrancy, a place to come together, and now we have it." Many feel that the restoration signifies a much larger change in the community itself, helping to boost the spirits of community members and serve as an art and culture center for an area previously lacking one. As stated by Thomas Tolliver: "I welcome the re-opening of the Lyric because of what it does for the image and indeed the spirit of the East End neighborhood. To me, it says the East End is on the rise again."