Construction is well under way at the new Tupelo Music Hall in White River Junction, and all systems are go for the grand opening performance on Friday, October 1. Scott Hayward, the owner of the venue, has also booked an ambitious and eclectic schedule of almost forty shows, already stretching into May of 2011.
The grand opening weekend will kick off with Vermont favorites Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams followed on Saturday night by veteran folk-singer-songwriter Tom Paxton. On Sunday, Tupelo will host the awards presentation for the ‘First Upper Valley Owl Awards for Excellence,’ sponsored by The Complete Hoot, who has named Tupelo as co-sponsor.
The music will continue at Tupelo with Marc Cohn (’Walking in Memphis,’ True Companion,’) on Tuesday, October 5, followed by the legendary Dave Mason on Saturday, October 9. The fall schedule will be rounded out with a wide variety of artists, including Paula Cole, Rusted Root, Judy Collins, Carbon Leaf, and many more.
The complete schedule is available at www.tupelohall.com. Tickets are now on sale, also through the web site, for all Tupelo events.
The new Tupelo will occupy 4000 square feet of space in the historic Boston and Maine Freight House on South Main Street in White River Junction. Since the space was previously sub-divided into four units, a large-scale refitting is now underway. Daniel Johnson of Watershed Studio Architecture of White River Junction assisted Hayward in designing the interior, a highlight of which will be the original wooden floor of the Freight House. The general contractor for the project is Home Partners, also of White River Junction.
When the doors to Tupelo open, patrons will be treated to a warm and intimate environment and a listening experience unlike any other. The sound system, valued at almost $200,000, is a custom design by Scott Tkachuk of Rainbow Production Services of Atkinson, NH. The heart of the system is two stacks of MINA line array loudspeakers, designed specifically for smaller venues by Meyer Sound Laboratories of Berkeley, California, recognized as a world leader in sound reinforcement for theaters, touring, and concert halls. The installation at Tupelo will be the first anywhere in the world.
In addition, a 1906-vintage Steinway grand piano, completely restored by Ed Bordelaux of Piano Arts of Hooksett, NH, will be a fixture at the new venue.
Complete information on the new Tupelo Music Hall is on the venue’s web site. Tickets can also be ordered by phone at 802-698-8341. www.tupelohall.com
Source: Tupelo Music. 8.31.2010
Construction under way at the new Tupelo Music Hall in WRJ
Submitted by tim
on