RTP-area local music and culture

["Caleb Southern" <southernc AT mindspring.com>]

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

-----Original Message-----
From: DADA [mailto:dada AT ibiblio.org] 
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2004 1:06 PM
To: DADA Friend
Subject: NEW THEATER IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM

SAVE THE DATE!  INPUT WANTED!
=============================
   A NEW THEATER DOWNTOWN?
   PUBLIC MEETING 
   JUNE 29 @ 7PM
   DURHAM ARTS COUNCIL
=============================
co-sponsored by ABCD and DADA


Dear DADA Friend,

Does Durham need a new performing arts center, and if so what should it
be?  Come envision cultural facilities with no preconceptions.  The Arts
& Business Coalition of Downtown ( http://www.abcddurham.com/ ) is
hosting a public meeting to learn what new facilities Durham needs as
well as what needs our existing facilities have.  The meeting is
scheduled for 7:00pm on Tuesday, June 29th at the Durham Arts Council's
PSI Theatre, 120 Morris Street, in downtown Durham.

PUBLIC PROCESS & URGENCY
As you may already know, there has been much discussion lately regarding
the extent of the City of Durham's public input collection on a new
theater downtown.  The theater is to be paid for in-part by a Hotel
Occupancy Tax passed by the State Legislature several years ago.  If a
new theater/facility is to be built, ground must be broken by Fall 2005
(or legislation changed).  Therefore, time is ripe for cultivating ideas
for a healthy decision - one that is good for local artists and
organizations as well as downtown small businesses and new development.
This meeting is being held to instigate a healthy public process.
Please come help decide the future of theater in Durham!

YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED NOW!
Arts presenting organizations (theater, dance, other...) looking for
room to grown are especially encouraged to attend!  

CULTURAL MASTER PLAN
Nearing completion (funded by the same Occupancy Tax) is the Durham
County Cultural Master Plan (DCCMP).  The DCCMP underwent an extensive
process of fielding public input and makes specific suggestions on how
Durham should allocate resources for the arts.  The DCCMP is a publicly
funded publicly informed plan that should not be ignored as we continue
to think about the benefits of any new arts facility in Durham.  A draft
of the chapter that specifically discusses arts and culture facilities
can be viewed online at
http://www.durhamarts.org/pdf/Ch2_Facility_Inventory_Master_FNL.pdf .

PANEL AND QUESTIONNAIRE
Present at the meeting will be guest panelists from various cultural
sectors (film, music, theater, dance, etc.), and all public input is
welcome. There will also be a questionnaire to fill out so that
everyone's opinions and views can be recorded, and the public's will
determined.  City Council, the Mayor, and other involved City staff have
also been invited.

THE FUTURE IS NOW
This meeting is part of crucial steps in the future development of the
downtown Durham cultural landscape.  Please consider attending to learn
about the proposed project and alternatives to it.  The City Council
will be meeting in October to decide the fate of the theater project.  (
City Council website: http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/council/ )  Input and
discussion cannot wait - it is needed now.  Additionally, please
consider attending the City of Durham Department of Economic
Development's public meetings (coming soon) to express your opinion on a
new theater downtown.  

I look forward seeing you as we work together to find the best way
forward for artists, organizations large and small, and the entire
cultural community in Durham!

Sincerely,
Robert B. Stromberg
Executive Director
Durham Association for Downtown Arts (DADA) 
PO Box 488
Durham, NC  27702
www.durhamdada.org
dada AT ibiblio.org


For more information on ABCD or to join their very informative downtown
arts & business e-newsletter, please visit http://www.abcddurham.com/ or
email contact AT abcddurham.com .  For more specific information on the
meeting, contact Alex Kostelnik at 919-682-2226.


Below are some links to recent articles published on the theater
project.
Herald Sun:
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-486303.html

Independent Weekly: 
http://indyweek.com/durham/2004-04-21/burtman.html

News & Observer 
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nc/durham/story/1246538p-7358132c.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nc/durham/story/1314613p-7437009c.html


Directions to Durham Arts Council: 
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?fakeTab.x=0&fakeTab.y=0&fakeTab=fak
eTab&country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=&searchtab=address&searchtype
=address&address=120+morris+street&city=durham&state=nc&zipcode=27701

Directions to Durham City Hall: 
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&formtype=search&;
countryid=250&addtohistory=&country=US&address=101+City+Hall+Plaza&city=
Durham&state=NC&zipcode=27701&historyid=&submit=Get+Map