Have you ever been to the Emery Theater? It turns 100 years old this year. Fortunately for all of us, the Emery is getting some much-needed attention and restoration. A non-profit group called the Requiem Project is restoring the old theater and plans to turn the surrounding space into an arts center. They kick off that effort with a fundraiser on Friday (11/11/11).
Emery Theater was originally constructed as an auditorium for the Ohio Mechanics Institute. It opened in 1911. It was later home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra until they moved to Music Hall in 1937. The Emery Theater is so acoustically pure that it has often been compared to Carnegie Hall.
On the Emery’s stage over the years appeared Russian ballet dancer Nijinsky, actresses Bette Davis and Katherine Cornell and composer George Gershwin, who played his famous ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra shortly after he had premiered it at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Perhaps you visited there to watch an old flick and listen to the pipe organ from the RKO Albee Theater in the 70′s? I know I did! The Marx Brothers movies were especially enjoyable.
What concerts did you enjoy there? Were you at Todd Rungren’s Second Wind Tour on August 24, 1991?
The centennial celebration of The Emery Theater will begin on Friday 11/11/2011. Friday evening features cocktails, dinner, theater tour, local arts showcase concert and an After Party. For tickets go http://event.emerytheater.com
On Saturday, November 12th, there will be a press event with a lecture, presentation, and discussion of the architectural renderings hosted by Requiem Project Artistic Directors with the architectural team selected to revitalize the theatre – acclaimed Cincinnati architect John Senhauser and the nationally-renowned architectural firm Westlake, Reed, and Leskosky. After this Saturday presentation, Madcap Puppet Theatre will perform on stage, the Cincinnati Zoo will visit with their “Wildlife Comes to You Program,” and Chipotle will sponsor lunch for attendees.
Saturday evening (11/12) there will be a movie event, and on Sunday (11/13), the Cincinnati Children’s Choir is scheduled to perform.