Posted 6:27 am Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Marcia Ball Kicks Off 2011-12 Season In 1930s-Era Liberty Hall
By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS
Staff Writer
Tyler’s new Liberty Hall is expected to rock Thursday when blues artist Marcia Ball hits the stage, kicking off the 2011-12 season and a new legacy for the renovated 1930s-era theater.
The four-time Grammy nominee singer-pianist plans to bring her upbeat, rollicking style to town, filling the intimate 300-seat theater with an infectious brew of rhythm and blues.
A few tickets remain, and officials predict they will be snapped up fast.
“We are excited to have someone of Marsha Ball’s caliber help open the Liberty,” city spokeswoman Susan Guthrie said. “We’re hoping everyone will come out and support this very special event.”
Ms. Ball’s emotional roadhouse blues style attracts almost a cult-like following from fans of New Orleans and Gulf Coast-style rhythms, officials said.
Rolling Stone magazine describes her work as “playful” and filled with “emotional depth.” Her album “Peace, Love and BBQ” debuted at number one in the Billboard Blues Chart.
Ms. Ball was among the artists featured in Martin Scorsese’s documentary series, The Blues, in an episode that Clint Eastwood directed.
Her other guest appearances include Austin City Limits, Late Show with David Letterman, Today Show, CNN, Mountain Stage (PBS) and a special performance at the White House, alongside B.B. King and Della Reese.
Thursday’s show time starts at 7 p.m. The theater is located at 103 E. Erwin St.
Tickets for reserved seats are $30 each and may be purchased online at www.libertytyler.org.
Officials said Thursday’s performance marks the first time the new venue opens its doors to the public.
The rebirth of the old Liberty Theater began in 2008 when the city of Tyler purchased the vacant building.
Tyler partnered with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra to help bring the beloved downtown icon back to life, raising more than $1.2 million for renovations with major support from The Genecov Group.
Liberty Hall features red velvet seats, hand-painted inlays and glowing portal lights so no seat is too far away to enjoy the artistry, officials said.
The newly completed performing arts hall, along with Gallery Main Street, is expected to be a popular tourist draw for downtown.
Programming on tap for the fall is expected to feature something for everyone, from comedy and theater to live music and seasonal classics.
“Our goal is to have entertainment that appeals to a wide variety of Tylerites,” Liberty Hall manager Anne Payne said. “If you take a close look at the lineup, there is something for everyone.”
The Liberty’s first film festival, “Show Us Your Shorts,” planned for Oct. 12 to 15, is to feature a collection of original comedy short films created by Texas filmmakers and plenty of trade discussions, including a special workshop on zombie makeup and latex.
The fall lineup is to feature Eisley on Sept. 30; Ralph Stanley, Oct. 19; Monique Marvez, Oct. 28; Ray Wylie Hubbard, Nov. 12; and Joshua Lozoff, Nov. 18.
Children’s programming comes to the Liberty Oct. 1 with a theatrical performance of “If You Give a Moose a Muffin.”
Also in October, the theater plans to show spine-tingling movie classics, including Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.”
The story behind the Liberty’s revival can be viewed via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and the city’s website, cityoftyler.org.
To view a complete list of performances and events, visit www.libertytyler.org.
Staff Writer
Tyler’s new Liberty Hall is expected to rock Thursday when blues artist Marcia Ball hits the stage, kicking off the 2011-12 season and a new legacy for the renovated 1930s-era theater.
The four-time Grammy nominee singer-pianist plans to bring her upbeat, rollicking style to town, filling the intimate 300-seat theater with an infectious brew of rhythm and blues.
A few tickets remain, and officials predict they will be snapped up fast.
“We are excited to have someone of Marsha Ball’s caliber help open the Liberty,” city spokeswoman Susan Guthrie said. “We’re hoping everyone will come out and support this very special event.”
Ms. Ball’s emotional roadhouse blues style attracts almost a cult-like following from fans of New Orleans and Gulf Coast-style rhythms, officials said.
Rolling Stone magazine describes her work as “playful” and filled with “emotional depth.” Her album “Peace, Love and BBQ” debuted at number one in the Billboard Blues Chart.
Ms. Ball was among the artists featured in Martin Scorsese’s documentary series, The Blues, in an episode that Clint Eastwood directed.
Her other guest appearances include Austin City Limits, Late Show with David Letterman, Today Show, CNN, Mountain Stage (PBS) and a special performance at the White House, alongside B.B. King and Della Reese.
Thursday’s show time starts at 7 p.m. The theater is located at 103 E. Erwin St.
Tickets for reserved seats are $30 each and may be purchased online at www.libertytyler.org.
Officials said Thursday’s performance marks the first time the new venue opens its doors to the public.
The rebirth of the old Liberty Theater began in 2008 when the city of Tyler purchased the vacant building.
Tyler partnered with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra to help bring the beloved downtown icon back to life, raising more than $1.2 million for renovations with major support from The Genecov Group.
Liberty Hall features red velvet seats, hand-painted inlays and glowing portal lights so no seat is too far away to enjoy the artistry, officials said.
The newly completed performing arts hall, along with Gallery Main Street, is expected to be a popular tourist draw for downtown.
Programming on tap for the fall is expected to feature something for everyone, from comedy and theater to live music and seasonal classics.
“Our goal is to have entertainment that appeals to a wide variety of Tylerites,” Liberty Hall manager Anne Payne said. “If you take a close look at the lineup, there is something for everyone.”
The Liberty’s first film festival, “Show Us Your Shorts,” planned for Oct. 12 to 15, is to feature a collection of original comedy short films created by Texas filmmakers and plenty of trade discussions, including a special workshop on zombie makeup and latex.
The fall lineup is to feature Eisley on Sept. 30; Ralph Stanley, Oct. 19; Monique Marvez, Oct. 28; Ray Wylie Hubbard, Nov. 12; and Joshua Lozoff, Nov. 18.
Children’s programming comes to the Liberty Oct. 1 with a theatrical performance of “If You Give a Moose a Muffin.”
Also in October, the theater plans to show spine-tingling movie classics, including Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.”
The story behind the Liberty’s revival can be viewed via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and the city’s website, cityoftyler.org.
To view a complete list of performances and events, visit www.libertytyler.org.
