Historic Dixie Theatre
by Brittany McGehee
from Economic & Community Development Newsletter 2008, Volume 1, Issue 1
HISTORIC DIXIE THEATRE “It was the community that made the revitalization of the Dixie possible, with more than 70 volunteers working tirelessly to raise the needed $1 million for renovations.” For more information on season events or tickets at the Dixie, visit their website at www.dixiecenter.org. |
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History is the cornerstone of a city, and Ruston has a solid foundation. In January of 2006, the historic Dixie Theatre celebrated its grand re-opening. Built in 1928, the theatre is a nexus of fond memories and a bright future for the Ruston community.
Since its re-opening, more than 150 events have taken place at the Dixie, bringing in over 33,000 attendees. “It's impressive how many people have come through, since we've only been open two and a half years,” remarked Marlen Waters, director of the Dixie Center for the Arts. The Dixie sponsors seven to eight events a year, bringing in patrons from five parishes and southern Arkansas. They are also open for rentals, and host a number of special events and school shows each season, in addition to the seasonal plays produced by the Ruston Community Theatre and the concerts performed by the Ruston Civic Symphony Society. Events at the Dixie range from international touring groups like China's premiere acrobat group The Golden Dragons, to locally produced plays, to concerts with music of all types–jazz, country, rap, classical, and bluegrass–to variety shows.
It was the community that made the revitalization of the Dixie possible, with more than 70 volunteers working tirelessly to raise the needed $1 million for renovations. Describing the fund-raising process, Waters said, “it was basically 'bake sale-ing' our way to one million dollars.” It took many unique fundraisers over the course of 11 years to raise the necessary funds. “It was a huge community effort, and that's what we're most proud of.”
Now it's the Dixie's turn to give back to the community. The Dixie Center for the Arts is a vital contributor to the community of downtown Ruston, bringing locals and visitors together for events every month. It is completely self-supported, depending on donations and sponsorships for its running. The Lincoln Parish School Board connects with the Dixie for school events and the Ruston Police Department partners also to ensure a safe environment for eventgoers. “We try to do as much local advertisement and buying as possible,” said Waters, “we want to keep our money in Lincoln Parish.”
In addition to those things directly purchased by the Dixie, their patrons also benefit the local economy. According to a survey conducted by the Dixie, 85-90% of concert attendees eat out locally before attending evening events. In fact, so many people enjoyed pre-event dining that the Dixie moved the start time of performances from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm. “It's amazing that Ruston has something like this, isn't it?” wondered Waters.
We couldn't agree more.
The Dixie Center for the Arts & Kilpatrick Funeral Homes are proud to present the MOJO& The Bayou Gypsies Saturday, August 23 |
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2:00pm Interactive Kids Show |
Jazz Quintet to be presented at the Dixie
September 9 7:30 pm
The Dixie Center for the Arts and Gnemi Financial Strategies are proud to present a much requested jazz event. On September 9 at 7:00 pm, the gypsy jazz sounds of the John Jorgensen Quintet will fill the Dixie stage. This event is the first event of the 2008-2009 Dixie Season.
The John Jorgenson Quintet features guitarist John Jorgenson, a founding member of the Desert Rose Band (five #1 hits), the Hellecasters (3 award winning CD's and video), and six-year member of Elton John's band. Artists such as Barbra Streisand, Sting, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, and Earl Scruggs have sought out Jorgenson's guitar work. Recently, John Jorgenson was chosen to portray Django Reinhardt in the feature film Head in the Clouds.
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Brock Gill Christian Illusionist
September 21 5:00pm
Sponsored by |
Whirled News Tonight Monday, October 20, 7:30 pm Interactive Improv Comedy sponsored by Ruston Community Theatre |
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Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra will kick off the fall season for the Ruston Civic Symphony Society at the Dixie Center for the Arts on Saturday, November 1, at 7:30pm. If you love big band music, then this group is a "must hear"! Since Jeremy, a West Monroe native, and several of the band members are Tech alumni, we are pleased to present this program as a finishing touch to Homecoming Weekend activities at Tech. The show will feature 17 amazing jazz musicians from Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia, including vocalists, Clay Johnson and Adam Jones, singing Sinatra-style vocals plus their own renditions. It will be an evening of great entertainment featuring the music of Mercer, Connick, Miller, Ellington, Basie, Sinatra, and Bennett. For a closer look at EJO, go to www.equinoxjazz.com. The dance floor down front will be open, so be sure to wear your dancing slippers!! (Jazz Equinox website)
Sponsors are Sundown, Ponchatoulas, Log Cabin, and Piney Hills Music.
Get the ultimate Branson style show experience in Ruston!
A Legendary Night of Music
9-11 Memorial Concert
Featuring Elvis Tribute Artist - Shea Arender
with special guest Gerald Lewis
Saturday. November 8th @ 7:00 pm
NCLAC PERFORMANCES PRESENTS
An Evening with LaVerne Butler
Internationally renowned jazz vocalist from New York
November 22 — 7:30 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!
TOMMY FOLK
Robert E. Russ Award Winner
Tommy Folk (left) receiving
Robert E.
Russ
award
from
Mayor Dan Hollingsworth
Internationally famous Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble
to perform at the Dixie February 3
Imagine what goes on in a dancer's day leading up to the moment when the curtain rises and the show begins. What if you could find out what goes into the making of a ballet dancer? What would you like to ask a professional dancer directly if you had the opportunity?
The Dixie Center for the Arts and Russ Town Society are proud to present Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble on February 3, 2009 at 12 noon (sold out) and 7:00 pm. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, this internationally famous dance group will begin its Louisiana tour in Ruston at the Dixie. Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble enchants and enthralls with a new family friendly production called the Interactive Performance. This singular theatrical experience reveals and demystifies the world of the dance artist and the audience is invited to be actively involved in the event...not just as passive observers. They have the chance to ask questions, and, at one point, they are even invited to join the dancers on stage.
To celebrate Dance Theatre of Harlem's 40th Anniversary in 2009 an inaugural seven- week, national tour has been organized for Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, a fourteen member group of young dancers (ages 18 - 25) trained in the DTH style that has transformed perceptions around the world. North Louisiana can be proud of the fact that one of the DTHE dancers is Ashley Murphy from Shreveport, Louisiana. The ultimate goal of the project is to widen audience awareness of the relevance of the classical arts and to engage them in theatrical dance. (visit their website)
Movie And A Tea With American Girl Dolls
Calling all young ladies and their American Girl Dolls: Quota International of Ruston is sponsoring Timeless Traditions, an opportunity for moms, daughters and dolls to come see the “Samantha” movie at the Dixie Center for the Arts and then enjoy a tea at the Lincoln Parish Museum at 10 a.m. on Feb. 7. Cost is $25 for mom and daughter. Ticket price also includes a raffle ticket for a Samantha doll. Raffle tickets for the doll only are $5. Samantha has just been retired. The event is a fund-raiser for Quota, and is a great opportunity to support the club's service activities.
Steal Away
February 27, 2008 at 7:30 pm
What happens when five upstanding church women run low on scholarship money to send young girls to college? They become five bank robbers on a mission for a good cause!
This comedy, set in Chicago during the Great Depression of the 1930s, is about five upstanding church ladies who raise funds to send young black women to college by holding bake sales, selling church suppers, and the like. To increase the number of scholarships, during the Depression era, the women come up with a new idea to raise the money by robbing banks!
Under the direction of Angelique Feaster, the Mahogany Ensemble Theatre of Shreveport will bring to life this comedic play by Ramona King with a wonderful ensemble cast featuring Neverlyn Townsel, Mary Thompson, Dorothea Townsel, Lorie Pennywell, Sharon Penson, and Angelique Feaster.
Dixie Classic Movie Series
"American Graffiti"
April 3 8:30 pm $3
SOLD OUT!
