Triumphant Return
On August 29, 2005, the face of the
City of New Orleans was forever changed. Casualties of the devastation
of Hurricane Katrina included many of the historic buildings
and performing arts facilities that have defined New Orleans
through the decades. While not as tragic as
the loss of lives and homes, the devastation to these buildings
was a loss to the cultural fabric of the city.
Among these venues, the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the
Performing Arts, located in Armstrong Park, was only a
shell of its former self after Hurricane Katrina. Over
14 feet of water in the basement damaged the motor control
center, orchestra lifts, HVAC controls and sewerage ejector
pumps. Wind damaged the roofs, rear doors,
the stage and other fixtures, as well as shattered an 8x16
window panel.
Under the leadership of Mayor C. Ray
Nagin, combined with the efforts of the City of New Orleans
Chief Administrative Office and the Capital Projects Group,
funding was finally secured and construction began in April
2008 on the Mahalia Jackson Theater. The
grand reopening in January 2009 is only as a result of
the bold efforts of Mayor Nagin, the New Orleans City Council,
hundreds of City Staff, contractors, workers, and artists
that have tirelessly dedicated themselves to this project.
The Mahalia Jackson Theater comes alive once more with
the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Opera
Association, the New Orleans Ballet Association, the New
Orleans Jazz Orchestra and Broadway Shows. World
renown entertainers from the realm of Comedy, Gospel, Blues,
R&B and Rock have once again opted to add New Orleans
back on their tour schedules. The reopening
of this venue is indeed a Triumphant Return for all.
