The Paramount Center For The Arts Continues Major Renovation Project
PEEKSKILL, NY — The Paramount Center for the Arts is pleased to announce that it will begin the second phase of a dramatic interior restoration project, from December 20th, 2004 through February 4th, 2005.
The renovation project will involve the completion of the decorative painting of the theater walls, columns, and lobby by Evergreene Painting Studios, whose impressive resume includes the restoration and preservation of over 100 historic theaters and capitol buildings in over 26 states.
Additionally, we will be installing new carpeting throughout the entire theater, with an exquisite patterned wool carpet donated generously by Bloomsburg Carpet, based in Manhattan.
The Paramount will continue to screen independent and foreign films during this time; however, no live events are scheduled until the February 12th, 2004 Music & Film performance featuring the Hot Club of San Francisco providing live jazz accompaniment to French Silent Films, including “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
Members of the press are invited to a press event at the Paramount on Tuesday, January 25th, 2005 to see the work in progress. Plans for a public reception and unveiling of the work are scheduled for Wednesday, February 9th, 2005, at 7:30PM.
The Paramount was built in 1930 by the famed architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp. Brothers C.W and George Rapp built some of the most complex and exquisite theaters across the country, and were also responsible for Times Square Paramount, the Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn and the Loew’s Jersey, which still stands today.
In late 2003, the Paramount Center for the Arts under the direction of Executive Director Jon Yanofsky, launched a capital improvement campaign to restore the theater to its original glory, including a brand new stage, lavish curtains, a redesigned concession area, and the repairing and restoration of the interior. At a cost of nearly $870,000, support comes from the Indian Point Energy Center, The New York Power Authority, the Empire State Development Fund, New York State Senator Vincent Liebell, Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, and individual contributions.
The Paramount Center for the Arts will celebrate its 75th anniversary in June, 2005, and will mark the occasion with a special Benefit Fundraising Concert on June 25th, 2005, featuring the incomparable star of stage and screen, Bernadette Peters.
The Paramount Center for the Arts continues its dedication to the presentation and production of diverse, high-quality programming in live performance, arts-in-education, visual arts, and film, serving the varied needs and interests of all communities in Westchester and Putnam Counties and the entire mid-Hudson Valley region.