07/26/2015
Steve
How much do YOU truly appreciate MUSIC? Did you know that as recently as the mid 1990's there were upwards of 60 live music stages in and around Lynchburg, with huge music festivals often leading the parade of entertainment here. Now there are fewer than a dozen stages, and most of the festivals have closed down, or removed Lynchburg from their circuit. As these outlets for expressing musical talent disappear, so goes the opportunity for real musicianship and creativity throughout the community. Without the access to exposure, new music will stifle and wither away ultimately leading to no new music being created, and the disappearing stages are not a condition limited to just Lynchburg. Do you want to see a day when media outlets have no new music in their library because new talent is virtually ignored in the community? That day IS quickly approaching my friend, and this is our best chance to change that once and for all for the entire community, musicians and music lovers both. This event is just the first in a series to bolster existing, and create new non-profit live music stages, across the region and beyond.
Musicians and people who support and promote live music around our region are very well aware of the lack of opportunity to express new music in our region, and have come together to donate their time, talent, and assets to help insure the survival of live music in central VA and beyond through this fundraiser to save one of the oldest music theaters in the entire region, and one that operates with a completely volunteer staff, and has for the past 30 years serving Lynchburg. Among the long list of people and places that have donated some or all of their assets to saving the Ellington Fellowship Playhouse during this two day fundraising concert are a fully staffed Phase 2, The Ellington Fellowship Playhouse, All American Stage Rental of Lynchburg has donated it's biggest stage, Lowe's Home Improvement, Grayson Edward Ferguson of Grayson Ferguson Woodworking, TBS Productions, Loud & Clear (((0O0))) Productions Presents:, L.Oppleman, Inc., Dennis Powell productions W/ Bob Harvey, Lynchburg Fire Department, Lynchburg Police Department, Lynchburg Lifesaving Crew, Lynchburg Sheltered Industries ..... Bands Blackout, Borderline Taboo, Calvin & Company, CREEKSYDE, Country Proud Bluegrass Band, Deanie Blues, Emma Leigh, Firecracker Jam, Funky Bone, Hyperflesh, Imaginary Sons, KOOPER, Long Strange Night, Mourn The Illusion, MUDFLAP, Nefarious Characters, Of Company, ON3, PLAN: B, Rockafellers BAND, The Roosters W/ Gene Temple, SaraJane McDonald W/SweetFire, Section 8, Singleside, Smiling Politely, Sol W/ Sol Roots, Swamp Trash, Tara Mills Music, The House Band of VA, Hoppy Vaughn & The Ministers of Soul, The Travelin' Hillbillies, Uncle Band's Men at Rice, Work Release, Remedy, Duet performers: Murph & Slick, Bud & Worm, Matt Howard & Chris Schmitt, Soloists Jason Ring, Jim Murphy, Jodie Davis Acoustic Therapy, Lew Taylor, Matthew Howard, Chris Schmitt, Paul Gold, and Dorrie Self.
ALL of these people who have stepped up to donate their time and talent to save this one live music institution speak volumes about the need to do everything we possibly can to save every live music stage in the region. We can not do it alone by donating our time and talent, we absolutely NEED the entire community behind us in this effort, If YOU have declined to step up and do your part by planning on being there to support live music as a whole, please reconsider, and don't stand by and let new music become a thing of the past!
Dear Friends of the Ellington,
We know many of you have been wondering what's going on with the Ellington, and we apologize for the fact that up until now, for many reasons, we have been unable to share our deliberations. We thought we were going to take a summer hiatus and then resume our regular schedule of great musical performances in the fall. However, due to several unresolved
issues, we have instead ended up without a building to call home.
Though Ellington board members spent the past year working diligently to either secure our current location or find a new one, we have now ended up back at square one. We could not come to an affordable lease agreement. We looked at other facilities but could not find a location that suited our size and budget.
After 30 years of remarkable fellowship and impressive programming—not to mention our Music Bridge children's outreach initiative—we are faced with the choice of disbanding or trying to buy the building that has served us so well for so long.
For at least the last decade if not more, the Ellington has operated in the black, largely due to the fact that we are an all volunteer organization. However, that doesn't mean we've been rolling in money. We've simply had enough to pay the bills and put on the next show, with very little extra left over. The amount it would take to buy the building outright, as well as do the necessary repairs, is not financially feasible without your help, and we're not comfortable entering into a mortgage at this time.
Rather than give up, we are now looking to enlist our faithful patrons, sponsors, and supporters in the effort to save the Ellington. We're putting this before you, believing that the Ellington stands for much more than entertainment. It is an intimate venue, unique to Lynchburg, and a point of pride for music lovers throughout Central Virginia. No other organization can match our mission to "bring people together through music and to identify, cultivate, and expose artistic talent within our community."
Our options are:
1) Find a benefactor who would be willing to buy the building and donate it to us.
2) Raise $250,000 (estimated cost of building plus repairs).
3) Find someone willing to buy the building and rent it to us at a rate we can afford.
4) Come forward with a brilliant idea—we're open to things we haven't already looked into.
We believe our faithful supporters can help us raise the small amount we’re looking for.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND MONEY AT THIS TIME. We are looking for pledges only right now. If we reach our goal, then we’ll be calling for you to honor your pledge. Remember, the Ellington is a 501c3 volunteer-run nonprofit arts organization, so your gift will be tax deductible.
No pledge is too large, and no pledge is too small! BUT WE HAVE SET A DEADLINE OF JULY 31st to respond!
How to pledge:
1) Email your pledge or other offers to [email protected] with the subject line “I’m Saving the Ellington!” Don’t forget to include your name, address and phone number.
2) Complete the enclosed reply card and return by U.S. mail to PO Box 3072, Lynchburg VA 24503.
3) Follow the link on the home page of theellington.org to complete and return a pdf form via email or U.S. mail.
We know there’s been a huge void since the Ellington went on hiatus, and with your help, we’ll be bringing back the quality acts you’ve come to love and appreciate here in the Lynchburg region. Please help us today! https://www.facebook.com/202158849794768/photos/pb.202158849794768.-2207520000.1437915351./793180670692580/?type=3&theater
EVENT
>>> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=647283242080849&ref=70
