LANSDALE - Nothing enhances a community, or makes it more complete or attractive to outsiders, than a little culture.
That philosophy is apparently adhered to by many people in Lansdale, especially members of the North Penn Regional Council of the Arts (NPRCA), who are unveiling a brand new facility, the Lansdale Center for the Performing Arts, with a grand opening gala on Nov. 7.
Music will be provided by the Bucks County Chorale Society and the Robin Haffley Jazz Trio. There will also be a performance by the Institute for Dance Artistry, as well as a pre-show reception.
The highly anticipated show is a point of pride with both residents and elected officials of Lansdale and is the product of four years of dedication and hard work by numerous individuals.
It all began in 2004 with the purchase of the old Masonic Temple of Lansdale building on Madison Street, in the downtown business district of the borough, with the goal of turning the building into a cultural center.
In 2006 the NPRCA was formed to oversee and operate the center and, just over a year later, construction was started on Phase1 - the building of a 210-seat theater on the second floor of the three-story building.
The Nov. 7 show is a celebration of the completion of the theater, and an opportunity to give the public a chance to be entertained, to see firsthand what the NPRCA has accomplished and what else is planned for the center's future.
"We are all very excited about the completion of the theater and about the upcoming show," said NPRCA member and public relations person for the center, Deborah Israel.
"We think it is a wonderful thing for Lansdale, especially for families that don't normally have access to the performing arts.
"It is a great way to spend time with the family," Israel continued. "You can do it right in your own backyard, and it is more economical, more affordable, than driving into Philadelphia.
"The center is also a great thing for long-sought economic development in Lansdale," Israel said. "The center just makes the community more complete, in different ways."
Israel and others got much of their motivation - and a pretty good idea of what Lansdale could ultimately become - by visiting nearby communities.
"When you see what Ambler has to offer, it is pretty impressive," Israel said. "With their theater, movie theater and all those nice restaurants, it is a pleasure to go there at night. You see a lot of activity.
"We want the same kind of night life for Lansdale," Israel continued, "and this theater is a good start."
Luckily for Israel and her fellow NPRCA members, some other (important) people felt the same way, particularly Lansdale borough council members, who contributed $2 million for the purchase of the Masonic Temple building. There was also financial support from the Montgomery County Revitalization Program.
"We have gotten incredible financial support," said NPRCA president Diana Scott, "from both the borough and the county. But it is an ongoing struggle and we will be reaching out to the private sector in the future."
The small second-floor theater is just a part of the overall plan for the center.
The first floor is dedicated to music education, with six practice rooms, along with some offices.
On the second floor, along with the theater, is an art gallery: A current exhibit is appropriately dedicated to the history of the performing arts in Lansdale.
Eventually there will be a larger theater, with 455 seats, on the third floor.
So it is pretty obvious that the big opening night will be just the first of many exciting nights to come in Lansdale.
The Bucks County Chorale Society is an auditioned volunteer choir based in Doylestown.
Under the guidance of Thomas Lloyd, the 100-voice choir is widely recognized as one of the area's best large choral ensembles.
This group performs a diverse repertoire of music, from classical to contemporary.
The Robin Haffley Jazz Trio is a talented, well-respected band. The trio (Haffley, Fred Scott and Rob Cochran) is led by Philadelphia resident Haffley, who has played with such noted jazz musicians as Tim Hagans and Rick Stepton.
Besides performing, Haffley also teaches music at LaSalle University.
The Institute of Dance Artistry, located in Fort Washington, teaches all types of dance, including modern, ballet, tap, lyrical, even hip hop.
"There are no events scheduled after opening night," said Scott. "But our goal is to eventually have ongoing performances throughout the year."
"This cultural center will be a great thing for Lansdale," said Israel. "We will have state-of-the-art audio and video in both theaters and we will have quality shows and performances."
Opening Night for Lansdale Center for the Performing Arts, featuring Bucks County Choral Society, Institute for Dance Artistry & Robin Haffley Trio, takes place Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. at the center, 311 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446. Tickets: $50, performance only; $100 reception & performance. Info: 215-361-8312 or www.lansdalecpa.org.