The Lied Center for Performing Arts will dedicate its new Lied Commons addition at 11 a.m. Oct. 19. The new space provides a new venue for receptions, dinners, meetings, small concerts and other special events.
The expansion project was entirely funded by private donations and made possible with a $2.5 million gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation from Christina M. Hixson of Las Vegas and the Lied Foundation Trust.
Event speakers will include Ellen Weissinger, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs; Terry Fairfield, NU Foundation; and William Stephan, Lied Center executive director. The public is welcome to attend the free event, which will include live music and refreshments.
The addition, designed by BVH Architects of Lincoln, is on the north side of the Lied Center and is the first expansion ever to the 23-year-old venue. With a separate northeast entrance, the addition provides event space for cultural programs, education events, smaller performances and private receptions, even while events are held in the Lied Center's main house.
Stephan said the new addition is especially needed because the Lied Center has continued to increase its activities and services over the years.
"We're grateful to Ms. Hixson's gift and the resulting expansion opportunity," he said. "The new space enables us to better serve Nebraskans via the university and our many rental clients, as well as providing a perfect space for smaller performing arts events. The beauty and elegance of this new space will likely make it one of the most popular event spaces for receptions, dinners and special events in Lincoln."
The Lied Commons venue features a 2,800-square-foot multi-purpose room that can hold up to 200 people theater style and 140 at tables. The new space features high ceilings with a panoramic view of the UNL campus. It is accented with travertine marble and cherry wood. In addition to the large multi-purpose room, the venue has a 20-seat board room, a catering kitchen and restrooms. It is connected to both the Lied Center and Kimball Hall. Outside catering is allowed in the space.
For information on reserving the Lied Commons contact Steve Pearson at 402-472-4715 or by email at spearson5@unl.edu. Visit http://www.liedcenter.org for more information about all the spaces at the Lied Center and coming events.
— Maureen Ose, Lied Center for Performing Arts