Woodward Theater & MOTR Pub Announce “The Big Turn On” Festival 3/1-3/2

Lauren Eylise
Lauren Eylise
Featuring performances by:

Lauren Eylise –  Ernie Johnson From Detroit –  The Mortals –   Automagik –  Super City –  The Gripsweats (Colemine Records) –  Doctor Bionic –  Flocks –  Jon Schuyler

A celebration of neighborhood history, live music and beer with a two-day music festival-style event and reveal of the completed Woodward Theater year-long historic façade renovation project during the 27th annual Bockfest! Live music performances will span Main Street Over-the-Rhine on both the MOTR and Woodward Theater stages. Reveal of The Woodward’s completed marquee project happening with the “Turn On” of over 300 newly restored façade light bulbs for the first time! The marquee project was made possible with a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation through their Partners in Preservation: Main Streets program.

The Big Turn On will feature:

Ten Live Music Performances spanning both MOTR Pub and Woodward stages Fri & Sat March 1st & 2nd 2019 during Over-the-Rhine’s 27th annual Bockfest.
The Big Turn On and Press Conference (Sat March 2 at 6pm) revealing the new Woodward Theater façade in its fully restored glory including; copper marquee designed and installed by local artisan Kate Schmidt, return of the historic electric sign and ‘Turn On’ of over 300 exterior façade lightbulbs for the first time.
The Big Turn On Soundcheck Party (Sat March 2, 5-8pm) welcoming the community to an open house inside The Woodward. Celebrate with a New Riff Bourbon Tasting, 24 taps of beer and a LIVE 3-song soundcheck from the night’s headliner Ernie Jonson From Detroit.
The Woodward Marquee & Façade Project Overview:

Through the support of our community and the Cincinnati Preservation Association, The Woodward was awarded the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Partners In Preservation (PIP) Grant sponsored by American Express and National Geographic.

The Woodward represented Cincinnati in a nationwide contest for this grant. Over 53,000 votes were cast for our historic marquee and façade renovation project resulting in The Woodward being awarded the $150,000 PIP Grant in November of 2017.

The PIP Grant has been used to bring back the original intent of The Woodward’s 1913 façade exterior including design, fabrication and install of the copper marquee, return of the historic electric sign, replacement of 52 plaster “rosettes” and cleaning of her glazed brick.

“Cincinnatians understand and embrace our city’s history. From our music, our beer, our baseball….. to our unique architectural heritage. Cincinnati continues to demonstrate to other cities how to celebrate and leverage their history for future growth.” -Dan McCabe, co-owner Woodward Theater

Quotes:

“The Woodward Theater was the perfect project for the “Vote Your Main Street” competition. It received incredible voting support from the community because they so connected and community minded. The restored marquee reestablishes an important part of Main Street’s historic variance. Bright lights were new and exciting in 1913, they will be just as exciting when they return in March.”
-Paul Muller, Cincinnati Preservation Association

***ORDER OF EVENTS***

FRIDAY MARCH 1st: Bock Fest Kick Off
The Big Turn On celebration begins with the 27th annual BockFest Parade, stepping off Friday, March 1st at 6pm. As always the parade travels up Main Street OTR passing right in front of The Woodward Theater & MOTR Pub for excellent viewing positions.

LIVE MUSIC kicks of at The Woodward Theater at 9pm, and at MOTR Pub at 10pm.

SATURDAY MARCH 2nd: The Big Turn On Soundcheck Party at The Woodward.
The completed Woodward façade renovation celebration will include a New Riff Distillery bourbon tasting, bock beer (of course!) and live music.

5:00pm – Pre-Show Doors Open **FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC**
6:30pm – Press Conference marking the official return of the Woodward Marquee & Sign culminating in The Big Turn On of over 300 façade lightbulbs as they were in 1913
7:00pm – Sound Check Party featuring a preview performance by Ernie Johnson From Detroit
8:00pm – Official Doors (must have a ticket to stay after 8pm)
9:00pm – Showtime
11:00pm Headliner: Ernie Johnson From Detroit

Limited Edition merchandise will be available for sale, including: The Woody Hoody and an Exclusive Commemorative James Billiter Silk Screen Poster (hand signed and numbered).

The marquee restoration process and The Big Turn On event are being documented by our Over-the-Rhine neighbor Lightborne Communications, Inc.

 

More about:

CINCINNATI PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION:  http://cincinnatipreservation.org/
KATE SCHMIDT:  http://www.kateschmidtdesign.com/
PARTNERS IN PRESERVATION:  https://savingplaces.org/partners-in-preservation#.XFdRJ89KiqA
NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION:  https://savingplaces.org/
THE WOODWARD THEATER:  https://www.woodwardtheater.com/
MOTR PUB:  http://motrpub.com/