JAM Magazine: June/July 1997 Issue: 18th & Vine

Preview of a New Beginning
With the opening of a renovated and restored 18th & Vine District but a few months away, let us tease you a bit by previewing our in-depth coverage of this historic event, coverage that will appear in the August/September JAM.

This ambitious project, years (and $20-plus million) in the making, will bring the famed entertainment district back to life on many fronts. There will be the new Jazz Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and, a central part of the restoration, the conversion of the old Gem Theater into "The Gem Theater Cultural and Performing Arts Center." When re-opened -- complete with internal expansion and facelift -- the Gem will offer a variety of facilities for music, meetings and other events, its "Billie Holiday Theater" providing a comfortable venue for the concert series that is scheduled to begin in August.

And this just in: jazz singer Nancy Wilson has been invited to headline the Gala Grand Opening on Saturday, August 30. Mark that important date on your calendar, although, at press time it was yet to be determined whether or not this concert would be "by invitation only."

At long last, 18th & Vine is about to be reborn. Look for the complete story in the next JAM. Or call the Gem Theater at 842-4538 if you can't wait to learn more. -- John Encell

RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX

------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Preview of a New Beginning With the opening of a renovated and restored 18th & Vine District but a few months away, let us tease you a bit by previewing our in-depth coverage of this historic event, coverage that will appear in the August/September JAM. This ambitious project, years (and $20-plus million) in the making, will bring the famed entertainment district back to life on many fronts. There will be the new Jazz Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and, a central part of the restoration, the conversion of the old Gem Theater into "The Gem Theater Cultural and Performing Arts Center." When re-opened -- complete with internal expansion and facelift -- the Gem will offer a variety of facilities for music, meetings and other events, its "Billie Holiday Theater" providing a comfortable venue for the concert series that is scheduled to begin in August. And this just in: jazz singer Nancy Wilson has been invited to headline the Gala Grand Opening on Saturday, August 30. Mark that important date on your calendar, although, at press time it was yet to be determined whether or not this concert would be "by invitation only." At long last, 18th & Vine is about to be reborn. Look for the complete story in the next JAM. Or call the Gem Theater at 842-4538 if you can't wait to learn more. -- John Encell RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.