WAMC is extraordinarily lucky to have a wonderful performing Arts Studio, dedicated by and named to honor our friend, Linda Norris, who is one of the bravest and most decent human beings I have ever met. "The Linda" has now hosted hundreds of successful events including popular, classical, jazz and folk music, film, student town meetings, drama and more.
It all started when we received a phone call asking if we were interested in buying an unused bank building, constructed in the 1920's. We negotiated with the Fleet Bank people who were the owners and were delighted when they agreed to sell us the building for $75,000. We soon realized that in order to make it the state of the art facility it is today, we would have to raise well over $1.4 million dollars. Thanks to a wonderful matching grant from the Lennox Foundation and the contributions of hundreds of listeners, we met our goal in a few short months and with the help of Envision Architects and U.W. Marx, we totally renovated the space and were delighted with the results. The architects won a top prize for the building and Paul Elisha started using the space for his own wonderful Roundtable/Performance Place programming featuring some of the best local, national and international talent around.
Many people helped, and once again we can't believe the serendipitous events that led to this next step in the evolution of the best public radio station in the country. When this community puts itself to work on any project, we always succeed. When you think of the concerts we've had - from Branford Marsalis and Marian McPartland to Odetta - it has been some story. The best thing about it is that even if you're too far away to come to a show, you can have a front row seat at home, listening to many of the concerts and events that take place at "The Linda." We hope you'll join us there.
Alan Chartock is President and CEO of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio.
