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The Lyric Theatre: A Look Back at the Beginnings

The Lyric Council

The purpose of The Lyric Council is to promote and encourage the use and development of the Lyric Theatre, and to enhance community awareness and appreciation of the arts through programs, entertainment and/or education produced at the Lyric. The vision for the Lyric is one that will see diverse programming--film, theater, dance, lectures, etc., and a renovation with an eye toward historic preservation.

Important first steps

• The Lyric Council, Inc. with a board of 12 was established as a private non-profit corporation on October 18, 1994 and has been approved by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization.
• The council and the owners of the theatre, Blacksburg Realty and its management company HCMF have signed a long-term lease. The owners willl provide the theater free as a charitable contribution--a donation to the community. In return the Council will invest $450,000 in money by March 1998, donated materials and services for renovation and operations, will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the theatre, and will be open for a regular schedule of programming.
• Phase I renovations to open the theatre--projectors, screen, restrooms, cleanup, and painting--are beginning. The theatre will be open on a limited basis for film and special events in 1996 and 1997.
• Fall of 1997--major renovations will be completed for the grand reopening celebration. The Lyric Council invites interested persons to participate in the community effort to Bring Back the Lyric.