LEWISTON – Twenty feet above the stage, workers Thursday drilled holes into the walls of the renovated auditorium, hanging new lights to replace the aged church fixtures. Meanwhile, cleaners swept and painters painted.
“It seems we’re always working right to the deadline,” said Rita Dube, executive director of the Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s.
Months of work may finally conclude only hours before the ribbon is cut on the center’s remodeled performance hall.
On Saturday evening, an estimated 300 people will attend the center’s biggest fund-raiser of the year, the 2nd Annual Gala and Benefit Concert.
The $50-per-ticket show will feature a program of Brahms, Mendelssohn and Schumann by the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra.
All proceeds will go to the center’s operating budget.
“That’s our lifeline,” Dube said.
Though the center has received millions in grants and donations to its capital campaign – making possible the renovations to the performance space, repairs to the stonework of the former church’s exterior and installation of an elevator and other needed systems – little money has been raised to pay the day-to-day bills.
The 60-piece orchestra is donating its time to lend a hand.
“If it helps maintain the center as a quality performance place, it helps us, too,” said Martin Jones, president of the symphony.
The group of amateur musicians plans to perform at the center four times in the coming year, their second full season at the venue.
This time ought to be different, though.
Since the renovations began last June, the orchestra has not played at the former church. Meanwhile, graduated seating rising more than 15 feet above the floor has been built.
In all, 453 theater-style seats were installed, likely to dramatically change the acoustics.
“Until we get on stage and play, we won’t know what it sounds like,” Jones said.
The symphony will feature a solo by violinist Irina Muresanu.
Guest conductor Janna Hymes-Bianchi will fill in for symphony leader Rohan Smith, who was called away due to an illness in his family.
The concert raised about $10,000 last year.
“We’re hoping we can come close to that this year,” Dube said.
Attendees to the black-tie-optional gala will be treated to a champagne reception after the concert.
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