It's been three decades in the making, but Tony Bennett is finally coming to Charlottesville, as this fall marks the reopening of the Paramount Theater, located on the Downtown Mall.
Paramount Executive Director Chad Hershner said the reopening of the theater will help add to Charlottesville's arts culture.
"We are so fortunate to have such a dynamic arts and cultural center already," Hershner said, adding that the opening of the theater is one "piece of the puzzle" for the City's arts district in conjunction with the Live Arts and the Downtown Amphitheater.
"We each do something different for the community that will make it a true arts destination," he said.
The nearby amphitheater on the east end of the downtown mall is currently undergoing a $3.4 million dollar renovation in conjunction with other nearby improvements that will add a covered facility and capacity for approximately 5,000 spectators at events such as the free Fridays After Five concert series.
Hershner said Charlottesville's leaders recognize the value and importance of a vibrant arts life in making Charlottesville a world-class city. For example, Hershner said the Paramount also will be available to organizations such as non-profit groups in addition to big-name acts, such as Bennett who will perform in a preopening fundraising gala Dec. 15.
"It really is a gathering place for the whole community to come together," he said.
During its run from 1931 to 1974, the Paramount attracted notable guests to the Charlottesville area, such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Roy Orbison and Chuck Berry. The theater closed at a time when many businesses and residents were leaving the downtown area for the suburbs.
The reopening of the Paramount also is likely to attract existing events, such as the Virginia Film Festival, which has traditionally been held in a variety of venues, including the University's Culbreth Theater.
"Because the festival is conceived as an educational event, we try to give people insight into filmmaking that goes a lot deeper than only of a director's point of view," Festival Director Richard Herskowitz said, adding that the festival has attracted major film makers, actors, screen writers, and cinematographers.
"We try to get a lot of practitioners to illuminate their own contribution to the work," he said.
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