| Ken Burns Supports Music Hall Capital Campaign |
HEAR YE! At the private event held Saturday evening, February 27, The Music Hall’s Executive Director Patricia Lynch said, "The goal of restoring, rehabilitating and transforming The Music Hall into a performing arts center for the 21st century is now in sight.". $9 million has already been raised toward the full needs of $13.5 million. Nearly eighty percent of the contributions have come from visionary individual donors, new and old friends of the historic theater, board and professional staff members.
Campaign Co-chair Jameson French welcomed celebrants from a makeshift stage in the raw space. The Music Hall’s Treasure the Future Campaign, accaording to French, will secure the legacy of the historic theater. IT will also advance its community and education programs and further stimulate the economy, he says.
The major components of the Treasure the Future campaign are --
Early community support has reportedly been "breathtaking" thanks to visionary philanthropists, according to the Music Hall reports. The Music Hall has been a key driver in the cultural and economic re-emergence of the Seacoast and our programs have been lauded for their innovation and reach, bringing the community unprecedented access to today’s leading authors and artists. "The Music Hall brings the world to Portsmouth," said Campaign Co-Chair Gail VanHoy Carolan.
Director Patricia Lynch said, "You are standing in the future Center for Performing Arts and Education -- The Music Hall Loft … this is a rising tide that lifts all boats."
Without modernization of The Music Hall’s backstage, where we’re still working with 19th century equipment, and a thoughtful fit-up of this new space we cannot meet our audiences and community’s growing demands," Lynch said. "nor keep pace with other, more modern theaters."
Ken Burns, acclaimed filmmaker and Honorary Co-Chair of the campaign heralded The Music Hall’s plans, particularly the addition of the Center of Performing Arts and Education for its community impact. "I am here because I believe in The Music Hall and support its plans for advancement. In our too-often disconnected world. The arts bring us back to our essential selves. The Music Hall is a beacon here in upper New England. Through its generous and diverse set of experiences, The Music Hall connects audiences and communities with creativity, purpose, art and life"
For further information on the campaign, visit the MUSIC HALL web site. Photos by David M. Murray, Clear Eye Photo.
February 27, 2010 Festivities




Courtesy The Music Hall of Portsmouth