Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Bing Arts Center celebrates five years with anniversary event on June 13

Date: 6/12/2015

SPRINGFIELD – Five years ago, the once abandoned Bing Theater on Sumner Avenue opened to a new purpose: an art center. Today, the venue is home to art exhibitions, musical performances, spoken word evenings and films.

The work, though, to fully utilize the property has just begun, Executive Director Brian Hale told Reminder Publications. Hale and his board are still seeking funding for the non-profit organization to finish the renovation of the auditorium.

In the past five years more than 300 events have taken place at the Bing and Hale is inviting the public to celebrate the fifth anniversary by attending a celebration at 8 p.m. on June 13. Costing $20 there will be appetizers from Wild Olive Catering, wines from Eddie’s Liquors and desserts from Sugar DL’s and Belle Rita Novak. There will also be a drawing for prizes and music from Eric Bascom & Blue.

When interviewed, Hale admitted being a little tired. He just finished an eight-day stretch during which there was an event at The Bing every day.

The former retail space in front to the building was transformed into gallery space and the lobby into a performance area.  Hale has overseen the installation of a roof to seal the building from further water damage, a new heating and cooling system and new restrooms.

The Bing originally opened to movie patrons in 1950 and was taken by the city in 1999 for back property taxes. It had been part of the once flourishing Western Massachusetts Theaters, which owned, among other properties The Rivoli in Chicopee, The Victory in Holyoke, The Calvin in Northampton and The Garden in Greenfield.

The lobby performance is small and intimate and Hale said, “It’s a really good way for patrons to interact with artists and performances.”

He noted that with many events people bring their children, making it multigenerational.

The Bing is one of a handful of venues in the city for live music and Hale said, “We are doing something completely different.”

On June 27 at 8 p.m., the Bing will host Don Bikoff, a leader in the musical movement called “American Primitive Guitar.” Next month there will be an indie rock show on July 25 featuring the groups The Jist, The Leafies You Gave Me and Reverend Dan & the Dirty Catechism. Jazz artists also perform at The Bing.

“We’re not a big venue, not a multiplex and not a bar – we’re unique,” Hale said. He added, “There is no place in Springfield making a home for these alternative bands.”

The acoustics of the performance area have attracted a variety of musicians. Hale noted that celebrated guitarist Peter Blanchette told him, “I love this room. It’s like you’re in someone’s home.”

Hale also noted the variety of the music presented there such as the performance in April of The Eric Hofbauer Quintet, which performed “The Rite of Spring.”

The hope for the future is for The Bing to attract program sustainability through regular sponsorships. With that in place, Hale hopes then to start a capital campaign to raise the money to finish the rest of the building.

Hale sees few limitations in the building’s future if its physical potential is fulfilled. He thinks of a time when a performer at The Bing could stream a concert on the Internet.

“So many niches, so many things going on … we have to find ways to bring people together and there is not better way than sharing culture with them,” he said,

For more on The Bing go to http://bingartscenter.org or to its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BingArtsCenter.