Madcap Education Center Announces Grand Opening Weekend
By: A.A. Cristi Oct. 26, 2018
After 7 years of hard work, tireless persistence and immeasurable community support, the new Madcap Education Center is opening to the public!
The Opening Weekend Party is planned for Saturday, November 3 from 10am to 1pm and Sunday, November 4 from noon to 3pm.
Attendees will be among the first to see the new $3.4 million arts education facility in Westwood that will host dance, acting, puppet and visual arts classes and workshops as well as children's performances in a brand new theater designed for families to enjoy together. While touring the completely renovated and reimagined building, families will be able to "sample" the kinds of classes and workshops that the Madcap Education Center will host all year-round. Jump into a quick session of yoga in one of the dance studios, make a mini-comic book in the art studio or learn to play a chord on the guitar in one of the music studios.
The Opening Weekend Party will also kick off the first production in the Family Performance Series with 4 performances of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by Madcap Puppets. They are: 11am and 1pm on Saturday and 1 and 3pm on Sunday.
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a ticketed event - $10 per person or $48 for the 6-show season. Call (513) 241-6550 to purchase tickets to the show. All other activities during the Opening Weekend Party are free and open to the public!
Madcap Puppets have been planning the Center since the Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC) purchased the building for the organization in 2012. The Center becomes a "home base" for the touring company and a venue for expanded children's programming on the west side, including special events and arts education classes, workshops and summer camps.
In March 2017, Cincinnati Landmark Productions and Madcap Puppets announced a merger of the two venerable west-side arts organizations and a re-invigoration of the"Bell Building" project, at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Urwiler Avenue.
At the merger announcement, CLP announced new funding - the allocation of New Markets Tax Credits from Cincinnati Development Fund - that would make the project possible. Since that time, CLP has partnered with US Bank and the City of Cincinnati to finalize the New Markets deal.
The City of Cincinnati had planned and previously budgeted $4 million for the renovation of Westwood Square, the land around Westwood Town Hall. Upgrades include new landscaping and seating, the addition of an event stage area, a promenade for event vendors, a new playground area and a dog park, effectively activating a space that serves as the center of the city's largest neighborhood. In December, CLP officials presented and received approval from the Cincinnati Planning Commission, Park Board and City Council to bundle the two projects together in order to maximize the New Markets benefit.
On December 29, 2017, the financing deal was closed, resulting in $2.1 million net benefit for the Madcap Education Center project. With that and other recent funding, the project could officially break ground. Interior demolition began in February 2018 with full renovation/construction starting in April.
Cincinnati Landmark Productions (CLP) is the non-profit owner and operator of the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts in West Price Hill and the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in East Price Hill. Madcap Puppets - based in Westwood - has provided touring children's programming since 1981 and annually presents over 600 performances across 15 states for 160,000 children. Since the merger, Madcap Puppets has operated as a division of Cincinnati Landmark Productions and will continue to tour and offer its in-town programming.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
- 10am - "Westwood Family Photo" - outside the building, all public encouraged to attend!
- 10:30am - Create a Mini Comic - Art Studio
- 10:30am - Intro Guitar - Music Studio #1
- 10:30am - Face Painting - Music Studio #2
- 11am - Musical Theatre Dance Mini Class - LaRosa's Dance Studio
- 11am - Balloon Animals - Hand Dance Studio
- 11am - "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" performance - TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
- 11:30am - Puppet Creation Q&A - Art Studio
- 11:30am - Intro Piano - Music Studio #1
- noon - Yoga Mini Class - LaRosa's Dance Studio
- noon - Preschool Puppets - Hand Dance Studio
- 12:30pm - History of the Madcap Education Center by Greg Hand - Art Studio
- 1pm - "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" performance - TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
- ALL DAY - roaming puppets and photo opps!
SUNDAY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
- noon - Musical Theatre Dance Mini Class - LaRosa's Dance Studio
- noon - Create a Mini Comic - Art Studio
- noon - Preschool Puppets - Hand Dance Studio
- noon - Face Painting - Music Studio #2
- 1pm - Hip Hop Dance - LaRosa's Dance Studio
- 1pm - Puppet Creation Q&A - Art Studio
- 1pm - Yoga Mini Class - Hand Dance Studio
- 1pm - "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" performance - TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
- 2pm - Tap Mini Class - LaRosa's Dance Studio
- 2pm - Make a Mask - Art Studio
- 2:30pm - History of the Madcap Education Center by Greg Hand - Distance Learning Center
- 3pm - "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" performance - TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
- ALL DAY - roaming puppets and photo opps!
For more information about Cincinnati Landmark Productions/Madcap Puppets, visit www.clpshows.org or call (513) 241-6550.today
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