Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center, the region's new performance hall, will open its doors to the public June 28-29, with a display of live performances and "all access" public tours.
On Saturday, June 28, the curtain will rise for the first time with the first-ever collaborative program by Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera. Directed by Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director Kent Stowell, the Inaugural Artistic Program features performances by internationally recognized Opera and Ballet stars Jane
Eaglen, Vinson Cole, Patricia Barker and Oliver Wevers.
The celebration and champagne toasts continue late into the night with a repast provided by the Westin. Dancing and live music throughout the hall will feature premier local entertainers and Grammy-winners Brave Combo. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 292-ARTS.
On Sunday, June 29, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall welcomes everyone to a free, all-access, self-guided tour of the hall. From the lobby to the auditorium to the backstage areas, visitors are encouraged to experience the entire hall. Throughout the day, more than 100 individuals and ensembles will perform. In addition, the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall will feature three lectures about the hall at noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is the new home of the internationally recognized Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera as well as other artists from around the world. Designed by LMN Architects, the architecture features a striking public promenade and reflects The architecture of the hall reflects the drama of what happens on the stage and works to extend that theatrical experience into the outdoor space.
The 17,800-square-foot Kreielsheimer Promenade serves as a theatrical threshold to both McCaw Hall and the Seattle Center campus. It's lined with a field of nine 30-foot-tall metal scrims that draw the art out of the building with a series of visual melodies that immerse passerby in colored lights while the luminous, five-story transparent lobby is designed to pull people into the hall.
The 2,900-seat Susan Brotman Auditorium has been significantly reconfigured to improve sightlines, acoustics and create a more intimate relationship between the artist and audience. The state-of-the-art hall features all new backstage, theatrical and fly loft systems. Luxury amenities include spacious reception rooms, a 400-seat lecture hall, expanded concessions and a full service café.
McCaw Hall is owned and operated by the city of Seattle. Funding is provided through a public-private partnership with funding from city, county and state sources and private gifts. In November 1999, Seattle voters passed Proposition One, which assured $38 million in city support. The private campaign was successfully launched with two important leadership gifts: $20 million from Bruce, Craig, John and Keith McCaw - the single largest gift ever made to an arts or cultural capital campaign in this region - and $10 million from the Kreielsheimer Foundation.
In addition to being home to Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall will present community festivals, concerts, comedy shows and other special events featuring performers from around the world. Inaugural year highlights include community festivals (Bumbershoot and Northwest Folklife Festival), concerts (Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Mathis) and comedy shows (Molly Ivins & Al Franken and The Capitol Steps). Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling Ticketmaster at 628-0888.
For more information, call Seattle Center Customer Service, 684-7200, or visit http://www.seattlecenter.com.
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