Photo Flash: LINCOLN THEATRE Announces Grand Reopening Festivities

Currently undergoing a $13.5 million renovation, the Lincoln will officially reopen on May 25, and serve as a multi-use, state-of-the-art urban performing arts and education center, as well as a home for ten local performing arts organizations.

The grand reopening week of the Lincoln Theatre is made possible by the generosity of host sponsors Crabbe, Brown & James, LLP; Shelly Materials, Inc.; PricewaterhouseCoopers; and The Quandel Group, Inc.

Monday, May 25, 1-4pm

Community Open House

Free, public tours of the fully-renovated, historic Lincoln Theatre will be offered from 1-4 pm. Guides will take visitors through the building, including the new lobby, main-floor Egyptian Revival-style theatre, second-floor ballroom, and third-floor Jazz Academy. The Columbus Jazz Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Mark Donavan, will perform on the second-floor ballroom stage.

Thursday, May 28, 8pm

The Lincoln Theatre Association in association with the Jazz Arts Group presents

Maurice Hines in "Cole and Sinatra with Love"

Maurice Hines, legendary Broadway dancer, director, and choreographer, as well as Artistic Director-in-Residence for the Lincoln Theatre, brings his dazzling song and dance talents to the Lincoln stage for the theatre's inaugural performance. Hines' skillful tribute to Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra recalls the golden age of the great American songbook. Tickets are $19.28 in commemoration of the year the Lincoln originally opened. www.mauricehines.info

Friday, May 29, 8pm

The Lincoln Theatre Association presents

Bobby "Blue" Bland

One of the premier vocalists of soul-blues, Bobby "Blue" Bland delivers his hallmark "chicken bone sound" with velvety, supple confidence. Hits for this "Lion of the Blues" include "It's My Life, Baby" (1955), "Farther Up The Road" (1957), "I Pity the Fool" (1961), "Turn on Your Love Light" (1961), and "That's the Way Love Is" (1963). Tickets are $35 and $30. www.bobbybluebland.com

Saturday, May 30, 8pm

The Lincoln Theatre Association in association with Opera Columbus presents

Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano

Recognized worldwide as one of today's most exciting opera stars, Denyce Graves continues to gather unparalleled popular and critical acclaim for her expressive, rich vocalism, elegant stage presence, and exciting theatrical abilities. Graves will perform a mixed repertoire of arias, spirituals, and opera standards. Tickets are $100 and $75. www.denycegraves.com

Sunday, May 31, 3 pm & 7 pm

The Lincoln Theatre Association in association with the King Arts Complex presents the

Harlem Gospel Choir

A renowned assembly of the finest gospel singers and musicians from the churches of Harlem, New York, the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir is an extraordinary experience of foot-stomping, hand-clapping blues, jazz, and gospel. Tickets are $35 and $30. www.harlemgospelchoir.com

Tickets can be purchased at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (800) 745-3000 or (614) 469-0939. The Lincoln Theatre Ticket Office will open two hours prior to each performance. Students between the ages of 13-19 can purchase $5 High Five tickets while available.

First opened in 1928, the Lincoln Theatre is a landmark in African-American and jazz history and remains one of the few surviving commercial buildings from a period of unequaled African-American cultural, social, and economic strength in Columbus. Currently undergoing a $13.5 million renovation funded by a partnership of public and private support, the Lincoln will reopen as a multi-use, state-of-the-art performing arts and education center serving the diversity of the Columbus and central Ohio community. The restoration is the foundation of revitalization plans for the King-Lincoln District, serving as a catalyst to attract new residential and commercial investment.

www.lincolntheatrecolumbus.com

Owner/operator of downtown Columbus' magnificent historic theatres (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre) and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre, and the Shubert Theater in New Haven, Connecticut, CAPA is a non-profit, award-winning presenter of national and international performing arts and entertainment. For more information, visit www.capa.com.

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