The merger of Kingston’s Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) into the operation of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. was approved on Thursday, Sept. 27 by the Hon. Christine A. Sproat of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Dutchess and by the office of the New York State Attorney General. The decision was the last legal hurdle the Bardavon had to clear before declaring the deal done.
In May 2006, the Bardavon assumed management of UPAC in an agreement that laid the groundwork for an eventual merger. During the ensuing 16 months, the Bardavon booked high-profile acts including Pat Benatar, Whoopi Goldberg, Travis Tritt, Moscow Festival Ballet, Lou Reed, Lonestar, Ryan Adams, John Hiatt, Ian Anderson and the 2006-07 season opening concert of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. This level of programming continues under the Bardavon’ ownership with upcoming concerts including: Crosby and Nash, Queen Latifah, Zappa Plays Zappa, Clint Black, Peter Pan, Youssou N’ Dour, Cherish the Ladies, Ailey II, Bill Cosby and Yo-Yo Ma. Daytime events for students and seniors, and community rentals will also continue to grow.
Last week, executive director Chris Silva said the Kingston venue will conduct a pilot program based on Poughkeepsie’s successful Young Playwrights Series in Kingston later this year. The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie brings 30,000 school children to performances every year and Silva hopes to initiate similar programs in Kingston.
In addition to significantly improving the theater’s events schedule during their management, the Bardavon accomplished initial exterior and interior physical plant improvements. The stone and brick façade was cleaned and repaired, layers of peeling paint scraped, previously hidden architectural details revealed, and fresh paint applied. The store fronts and box office were renovated, exterior architectural lighting and colorful banners that herald the venue as a live performance space were installed.
Inside, the Bardavon built new intermission bars, upgraded the concessions, improved the sound system, created a new sound mix position and improved handicapped accessibility. Now as owners, more large-scale capital work is planned including continued façade improvements, new and expanded rest room facilities on both floors, renovation and upgrade of projection booth and installation of 35mm film projectors, HVAC renovation, as well as roof and building envelope renovations.
The Bardavon is now the owner of two venues enabling an even broader range of programming – the 944 seat Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the 1,500-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center.
For more about upcoming programming, visit www.bardavon.org.