The Towner January/February Issue Volume 1 | Page 13
FEATURED STORY
Executive Director of The Black Archives Timothy Barber Speaks
on Reopening the Lyric
THE LYRIC THEATRE in short has been
a “colossal undertaking”. Historically the
Lyric Theater restoration and expansion
has been a three phase project. The first
phase was the restoration of the original
venue which was built in 1913 by Geder
Walker. This restoration was completed
in 1999. A highlight was the late Whitney
Houston’s filming of her music video “Try
it Own My Own” center stage. Phase two
was the completion of the welcome center and lobby on the north side of the
facility in 2005.
The lyric has always been since its inception, the anchor of the Overtown and the
black community in Miami functioning as
an outlet for Black entertainment. Reopening the Lyric reestablishes a solid location
for African American cultural programming. Now Overtown has a place that will
help bring resources and revenue and jobs
into the area.
Our plan are to offer an array of Cultural
programming and exhibitions to bring
people back to this community. People
that now drive over Overtown will begin to
come back through strategic marketing
and programming.
We’re hoping through the Lyric Theater
that people may one day come to see a
Beyoncé, Mary J Blige or Alvin Ailey Dance
troupe.
We have the “Expressions” Spoken
word Event that we launched last year that
will be ongoing at the Lyric. Our all new
Amateur night “Lyric Live” which is similar
to American Idol, the Voice, or America’s
Got Talent will be a nesting ground for
new and upcoming talent in Miami. Miami
Contemporary Dance Company will begin
to do Ballet shows. We will also have Concerts, Exhibitions, Black history Exhibits,
and a Lecture series ICONS that features
community conversations by intellectuals
like Michael Eric Dyson.
We will also be a space for Banquets, Weddings, Parties and Dinner socials. We are
excited that tourists will now have a dedicated place to stop and get a true authentic cultural experience in Miami.