The Welder

Things are moving quickly as the construction company of Stewart Perry pushes to get the restoration of the Lyric finished by the end of 2015. I was there last week and the place was working alive with seats being installed, last minute painting and here welding hand railings behind of the ground floor seats. In post processing I spotted the welder's shadow on the wall.

Under Wraps

August, 2011 this was shot in the mezzanine of the historic Lyric Theatre. I loved the old seats with all the dust, spider webs, and grime. Well times are changing and this old abandoned theatre is coming to life. I took my 12th trip to the Lyric Theatre on Monday and my jaw dropped at the amazing transformation since my last trip about 9 months ago. The Lyric is set to open in January, 2016. Just you wait, I will have many teasers leading up to the big opening and photos that night as well!

New seats under wraps for now at the Lyric

Light Up The Lyric

The fundraising campaign that managed to raise enough money to restore the Lyric Theatre was called Light Up The Lyric. Those that gave a designated amount, were given a box containing a vintage light bulb such as these as a keepsake. When I photographed there last fall, these bulbs lit up the area underneath the new scaffolding. It wasn't until I combed that group of photos last night that I had a close look at this image. It reminded me of candles in a church. Soon, this fall hopefully, the Lyric will throw open her doors and welcome us all in for a new era and the Lyric will be lit up indeed!

CDP Theme Day - Landmark

Today I join my fellow City Daily Photo blog friends around the world who are celebrating the theme I chose for this month....LANDMARKS.  I had method to my madness when I was asked to pick a theme.  As my faithful followers know, the historic 100 year old Lyric Theatre in downtown Birmingham is undergoing a fabulous restoration and I have been so blessed to be able to chronicle the progress through my lens.  The work underway and huge changes are taking place. I've not been inside for a few months but today share one of the my many obsessions with this lovely old place... the horsehair backed plaster architectural details.  Before the serious stuff started, I'd walk around the balconies with my camera and find pieces at my feet. I'm told the horsehair backing is the reason for the fabulous acoustics.  I hope to bring you recent photos of progress very soon.

View From the Top

For years I've been blessed with opportunities to photograph the historic Lyric Theatre. When I first stepped inside, years ago, she was in terrible disrepair but as they say, "Her bones were good."  Since then, I've been back and documented the continuing clean up and now the full blown restoration.  Recently I was fortunate to be allowed to come inside and actually stand on the scaffolding and see this gorgeous chandelier up close. I've photographed it previously, but this view was the best!

Vintage Becky

Birmingham artist Becky Denny was in her element last Friday night. Showing her work at the yet unfinished lobby of our Lyric Theatre, her vintage mixed media work was perfect, shown on the bare walls!  This piece, MY WARDROBE, brought back many memories of vintage sewing patterns that I remember!

Progress

Deep into the restoration process, I think the Lyric still has a romantic quality depsite the scaffolding and construction lighting!

Lighting Up The Lyric

                      

These bulbs were part of the Light Up The Lyric Theatre campaign to restore this 100 year old treasure in downtown Birmingham.  They have been installed and I had great fun trying to figure out how on earth to shoot them!  Thanks to countless donors who gave so generously, the Lyric's goal of 7 million dollars has almost been met. Things are moving forward with the renovation. 

We Lit The Lyric

The façade and new signage for the Lyric is completed and last night Birmingham turned out to watch the lights go on this almost 100 year old beauty.  1.9 million dollars are still needed to reach the goal so please go to Light the Lyric.com to make a donation or just learn more about the restoration of this historical landmark!

Girls' Night Out

Girls' Night Out, a group of very talented members of Independent Presbyterian Church, performed on the state of the historic Lyric Theatre recently. Church members came down to see the progress of the Lyric's renovation and these ladies provided some nostalgic music from days gone by. By the way, the accoustics in the Lyric are amazing. Their microphones were just props!

Grand Entrance

Serious work in the lobby of the Lyric Theatre has officially begun.  Last Saturday, we found a large hole on the 18th Street side wide open and of course we had to investigate. Shortly after, Glenny Brock stopped by and had to use the "new" entrance!

Light Up The Lyric

is the name of the fundraising campaign to help rustle up some much needed funding to renovate the old Lyric Theatre downtown.  This is one of the lovely old light fixtures in the lobby.

Rads

On the way to the upper balcony of the Lyric Theatre, I stuck my head into a little room and spotted this beautiful old radiator.  Some things don't need to be repainted.

Save The Lyric Series - The Balcony

The Lyric was the few movie theaters in the South to have segregated seating for blacks and whites at the same ticket price. The blacks entered from the 18th Street North side of the building and climbed this staircase to get to the top balcony where they sat.  Whites occupied the mezzanine and bottom floor.

The first time I photographed here, about 4 years ago, there were pigeons roosting in these upper windows.  Although in disrepair, I love the elegant plaster detail that is still evident today.


If you would like to learn more about the restoration efforts of the Lyric visit their website SAVE THE LYRIC.com