The New York City Center

This post is thanks to another one of those, "Oh we are going the wrong direction" days. We were walking on 6th Avenue and traveled West instead of East (going West always confuses me for some reason) and came across this gorgeous building. I just love everything about it and started snapping away! There was obviously a good event there as it was quite busy. Here is some information from their website: 

History of the Building

Built in 1923 as a Moorish-style meeting hall for the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the former temple officially became New York City Center on December 11, 1943, with Mayor LaGuardia himself taking the baton to conduct the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra in the national anthem. Throughout the 1940s and 50s, City Center flourished as a popular, affordable alternative to the Broadway theater, the Metropolitan Opera House and Carnegie Hall. City Center was so successful in fostering the performing arts that New York City Opera, New York City Ballet and New York City Symphony were founded under its dome.  A very young Leonard Bernstein conducted the New York City Symphony in low-cost, after-work concerts. Luminaries of the theater, including Paul Robeson, Orson Welles and Tallulah Bankhead, played the classics on City Center’s stage. Still-rising stars such as Bob Fosse and Walter Matthau appeared in popular revivals of Broadway musicals.

After the opening of Lincoln Center and the departure of New York City Opera and New York City Ballet, the building was under-utilized and was threatened with demolition. It was saved in the 1970s when, under the leadership of then-chairman Howard M. Squadron, the theater was dedicated as New York’s premier home for dance and given landmark status, and New York City Center was formed to manage the complex and ensure its survival as a performing arts center. By this point, however, much of the vintage architectural detail had faded or been covered up, and the functional shortcomings of a former Shriners’ hall had never been adequately addressed in converting the building into a home for dance and musical theater. The grand re-opening, in October 2011, of the modernized and restored theater will give way to a new era for the building and for New York City Center. 

just gorgeous, don't you think?  

I will be checking out their upcoming shows, as would love to see something here in the future. I really like the location as well, right off 6th Avenue. This should be a visit on your list when coming to New York City. 

New York City Center 

West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues 

By Subway

 to 57th St / 7th Ave (plus  weekdays only);

 to 57th St / 6th Ave;

 to the 7th Ave / 53rd St (plus  weekdays only);

 to 59th St at Columbus Circle;

 to 50th St / 8th Ave;

 to 50th St / 7th Ave;

By Bus 

M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M10, M20, M31, M57, M104

Today's Words of Wisdom : Emit Positive Energy 

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