All About You FRIDAY – An Epic Save

There is a building with a great story that sits in the heart of Detroit. There are lots of buildings with great stories, but I’ve probably spent the most time in this one. And one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to nestle into one of the seats at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall and be awash in the sounds of our world class orchestra.

Built in 1919 for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, this building has hosted Caruso, Gershwin and Rachmaninoff, musicians who’s music still ring out in the halls of this great theater. The Golden Age of the theater lasted until 1939 when the DSO moved to the Masonic Temple due to financial difficulties.

In 1941, the hall reopened as a jazz and blues venue known as the Paradise Theater. Jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Charlie Parker took the stage for a decade adding to the rich musical history of the building.

And then in 1951, Paradise Theater closed it’s doors and the building sat vacant for nearly 40 years. In that time, it was slated for demolition for a fast-food chain. A group of musicians and city leaders launched a fund-raising campaign to save the building and in 1989, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra moved back to its original home.

This could have been a McDonalds.

I could sit here and write about how magical the place is. How it is designed to bathe you in sound. I could tell you if you really want a treat, you splurge for the seats in the Dress Circle where orchestra members claim the sound is superb. I could describe our world class orchestra that never seems to play a note out of tune and whether you go to listen to them perform Vivaldi or hear their rendition of Billy Joel tunes, you will walk away a better person. A happier person.

But you need to go experience it yourself.

During the holidays, the orchestra plays while movies show on a large screen. And this year, I had to splurge to see them play our favorite holiday film, Love Actually. From the opening screen to when the final credits rolled, I was mesmerized often forgetting the music was being played live. It was that good. That precise.

And if you want to know what it feels like to belt out Christmas tunes backed up by 90 professional musicians, buy yourself and your loved ones tickets for their Home for the Holidays concert and be reminded of the joy of the season. It’s so good that even Santa can’t stay away.

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” — Victor Hugo

The DSO celebrated 100 years of musical history in 2019. I’m so grateful for the individuals who saw the vision of this great building. It’s a testament to what can be accomplished when people are passionate about important things. I hope you get to experience it yourself. And don’t worry, you can still buy a burger down the street.

It’s been a long week. Don’t forget to celebrate.

Until next time…