SIMON THEATRE RE-OPENING THURSDAY
The public is invited to the re-opening celebration of the historic Simon Theatre. The event will take place Thursday, at 4:00 p.m.
According to a statement released by Jennifer Eckermann of Main Street Brenham:
“Inside the newly restored auditorium we will host a ribbon-cutting and brief presentation,” said Hal Moorman, president of the Barnhill Center’s board of directors. “Those attending can tour the entire center and see the splendor of its original days.
“In the Bullock Ballroom on the second floor,” he added, “attendees will be able to view a presentation of photos taken during the renovation process.”
The Dawn of Washington County, a 25- minute movie, will be shown at 5:30 on the big screen in the Hasskarl Auditorium. “This gives people a chance to see this historical movie free of charge,” said Jennifer Eckermann, Manager of Main Street Brenham, and an advisory board member. Admission is normally $3 for adults and $1 for children on Saturdays.
“Even though we returned the building to its initial 1925 beauty, we added modern technologies to support meetings and conferences,” said Donna Cummins, manager of the facility. “This makes it possible for us to offer additional educational, cultural and entertainment programming.”
Now known as The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre – named for local businessman and his wife, Jane and John Barnhill – the building has been transformed into a vital downtown public-use facility.
“The goal, from day one, for this project has been to save this handsome building with so much history in our community,” said John Barnhill, “to make it a public facility that will contribute to our area’s economic vitality for years to come.”
More than 10 years have passed since a local non-profit – Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation, Inc. – took on the task of raising funds to renovate the building. It was one of the most architecturally significant properties in the community. Although the process has been a long one, and there is still more fundraising to accomplish, the board felt that the day has finally come to share the project with the community.
This showing of the local movie is just the beginning of a variety of programming options that will now be available to the community at the Barnhill Center.
February programming following the ribbon-cutting and tours will include:
- Friday, February 5th, 7:00 p.m. – As a kick-off to Super Bowl weekend, popular, football and family-friendly flick Rudy, will be shown in the Hasskarl Auditorium.
- Saturday, February 6th, 7:00 p.m. – The classic 1939 epic historical romance film, Gone with the Wind will be shown.
- Saturday, February 13th, 8:00 p.m. – There will be a Special Valentine’s Weekend at the Barnhill Center! Dessert and a Movie! Desserts and champagne will be available, prior to the showing of Sleepless in Seattle.
- Sunday, February 14th, 6:00 p.m. – It’s going to be so much fun…we’re doing it again! Dessert and a Movie!
- Saturday, February 20th, 6:00 p.m. - The first Travelogue presentation “Experience the Wines, Food and Beauty of the Land Down Under” will be presented in the Bullock Ballroom. Center staff will be teaming with travel professional Rick Perkins - plus our own private tour guide from Australia - and Design II to bring you the first of a series of fun, educational and exciting destination dinner adventures!
- Saturday, February 27th, 7:00 p.m. – Come relax and kick-back for an intimate concert with Austin-based singer-songwriter Darden Smith. Smith, who spent a good portion of his youth in Brenham, weaves together rock, pop, country, folk and American influences with the musical roots of his home state of Texas.
Tickets for all these events are available online at TheBarnhillCenter.com
“We will soon announce many more programs scheduled for 2016, said Moorman. “We hope everyone will come see and experience this gorgeous new venue for meetings, events and entertainment!”