:: Loft At The Mill Grand Opening ~ Press Release ::

The Loft At The Mill is holding it's grand opening on December 2, 2003 from 5:00pm - 7:30pm. We are celebrating our new name and our new location which is above The Mill on the third floor.

The Loft At The Mill is holding a grand opening event to celebrate it's new location, on the 3rd floor above The Mill on 8th & P. The event, which is open to the public, will be held on December 2 from 5:00pm - 7:30pm.

Guests will enjoy free food from restaurants located down in the Haymarket, entertainment from some of The Lofts resident performing arts groups, view the works of Larry Roots and other regional artists in the new Modern Arts Midwest art gallery and more! Don't miss it!

For question regarding media you can contact our newly elected Vice President Bob Rook at www.loftatthemill.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2003

The Loft at The Mill Celebrates its new location with a Grand Opening Event

Lincoln, Nebraska: On Tuesday, December 2, 2003 the Loft at The Mill will celebrate the grand opening of its new name and space. For over ten years, the 7th Street Loft has served a vital function for Lincoln as an affordable, accessible space for the arts to incubate and grow. Today, with a new name, the Loft at The Mill, and a new location, above The Mill on 8 & P Street, the Loft at The Mill is poised to meet the growing needs of Lincoln’s innovative community.

The Grand Opening Celebration runs from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm. The public is invited to tour the new facility and taste local cuisine from neighboring restaurants located in the Haymarket. Guests will enjoy performances from some of The Loft’s resident performing arts groups. Visitors can also walk through the Modern Arts Midwest art gallery, which is connected to the Loft, and view the works of Larry Roots and other regional artists. The evening will be a fun event and a perfect kick off to the holiday season.

As one of only a few multi-disciplinary black box stages in the country, the Loft at The Mill provides an arena for a wide range of programming and a home for emerging artists and groups to grow and develop. It is more than a performing arts facility. It is a community for the arts where creators, performers and patrons can push the parameters of theater, art, dance and music and work collectively for support and inspiration. Whether people come to watch a performance, visit the art gallery or rent the space for their own performance or event, the Loft at The Mill will enhance their cultural experience and inspire creativity.

The Loft at The Mill is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which is run by a board of directors and advisory council. The directors share responsibility for management of the space and are actively involved in its operations. The stakeholder organizations are:
~ The Angels Company
~ The Artists Consortium
~ Family Project Dancers
~ LAFTA - Lincoln Association for Traditional Arts
~ TADA Productions
~ Third Chair Chamber Players

The Loft at The Mill serves as a valuable resource for Lincoln’s art community. In addition to the performances put on by the stakeholder groups, the space is available to other organizations as well. It offers small arts organization an affordable and flexible place to present. If offers groups and individual artists a space to practice, prepare for and present recitals, concerts and student programs. And, individuals have the opportunity to lease the space for small events and receptions.

"We are very excited about the Loft at The Mill’s move to the Haymarket," stated Jennifer Stokes, Haymarket Board President. "Being in the heart of the Historic Haymarket District, it provides a full experience for its patrons. They can dine at one of the Haymarket’s wonderful restaurants, see a performance at the Loft at The Mill and then enjoy the many galleries and nightspots. The Loft at The Mill is a wonderful addition to the Haymarket and we welcome them!"

"People who support the loft, either through their patronage or charitable gifts, are really supporting something unique. The are very few true black box spaces in the United States that are open to all disciplines, including dance, theater, music and art. The success of the Loft demonstrates Lincoln’s incredible appetite for the arts!" stated Chris DeRienzo, Executive Director of the Loft at The Mill. "Our mission is to provide the Lincoln arts community with a plug and play space that is affordable and accessible. We want to give emerging artists and small groups a home where they can grow, develop and prosper. Affordable space is often the greatest hindrance for growth. We want to knock that barrier down."

"As one of the stakeholder groups that performs regularly at the Loft at The Mill, we are thrilled by the new facility." Said Becky Van DeBogart of the Third Chair Chamber Players. "It provides unlimited flexibility with regards to staging and set up. More importantly, the Loft at The Mill is a place where we can collaborate with other artists and performers for inspiration, ideas and support. We are truly a community. And, we invite others to become part of the Loft community!"

The Loft at The Mill is in the process of raising $125,000, which will defray the costs associated with its relocation. The funds will be used to offset the renovation and infrastructure costs; upgrading and installation of the theater light system; and installation of a cushioned flooring system. If you are interested in helping underwrite the costs associated with the move, please contact Chris DeRienzo at 402-477-8311. Your support will enable the Loft at The Mill to continue its mission of providing an affordable, accessible space for the arts community.

When you are looking for cutting edge entertainment, step outside your box and into the Loft at The Mill!