New Stage. A Renewed Legacy: Louisville Central Community Centers to Launch State-of-the-Art Grand Lyric Theater Through Family Arts Academy, Featuring The Curtis Family C-Notes  

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New Stage. A Renewed Legacy: Louisville Central Community Centers to Launch State-of-the-Art Grand Lyric Theater Through Family Arts Academy, Featuring The Curtis Family C-Notes  

LOUISVILLE, KY (August 2, 2026) — Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc. (LCCC) proudly announces the grand opening of the Grand Lyric Theater, marking a transformative cultural milestone in the heart of the Russell neighborhood. Located at 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard, the new venue represents the visionary redevelopment of

the historic Old Walnut Street campus—transforming a former industrial block into a vibrant community and cultural hub. The theater’s name honors the rich history of “Old Walnut Street,” a once-thriving African American commercial and cultural corridor impacted by 1960s urban renewal.

Event Highlights & Historic Opening

The Grand Lyric’s opening celebration will feature a “big impact week” of programs and events that bring together children, families, business and civic leaders, and cultural icons under a common banner of family and community development.  

Beyond the Ribbon: A Call to Action & Operational Sustainability

While the grand opening commemorates the successful completion of major capital development, LCCC is actively pivoting toward long-term operational sustainability. The organization is issuing a formal call-to-action for funding partners, stakeholders, performing artists, producers and community leaders to join a newly formed Operating Advisory

Group. This leadership collective will support the ongoing economic viability of the Grand Lyric Theater as a premier magnet for the arts and a catalyst for continued investment across West Louisville.

“This is more than a building; it is a renewed legacy,” states Dr. Kevin E. Fields, Sr., President and CEO of LCCC. “We are transitioning from an industrial past to a creative future, ensuring this theater serves as a stage for community empowerment for generations to come.”

Upcoming Cultural Programming: The Curtis Family C-Notes Residency

Building upon the momentum of its opening season, the Grand Lyric Theater is thrilled to announce an upcoming week-long residency featuring the acclaimed, San Francisco-based soul and funk family band The Curtis Family C-Notes (“C Fam”) from August 17 to August 22, 2026. Known for their vibrant multi-instrumental performances, appearances on America’s Got Talent (Season 16), and recognition as “The San Francisco First Family of Song,” the family group will headline a series of community events at LCCC.

The special week features:

Family Arts Camp (August 17 – 19): Engaging local youth and families in interactive workshops in creative arts, music programming, and entertainment industry essentials.

VIP Gala (August 20): Corporate and civic leaders will gather for a Midsummer Night’s Soirée, an exclusive evening of fine dining and entertainment, celebrating community partnership, arts education, and cultural enrichment.

Community Concert Series (August 21-22): Unforgettable live performances with the C-Notes and friends on the Grand

Lyric Theater stage showcasing their signature soul, funk, and R&B repertoire.

Community members, supporters, and media partners can learn more, register for camp sessions, secure gala access,

and purchase concert tickets through the official LCCC event portals:

• Family Arts Camp Registration

• VIP Gala Tickets

• Community Series & Ticketing

• Meet The Curtis Family C-Notes on YouTube

About Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc. (LCCC):

LCCC is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive, family-centered services that foster self-reliance, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization in Louisville’s historic Russell neighborhood.

Media Contact & Inquiries: VIPP Communications, Email: pr at vippcommunications dot com.

The VIPP Report: LCCC will raise the roof in a ceremony for a new theater

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PREPARING AREA YOUTH TO BE THE GREATEST IN THE ARTS ARENA WITH A NEW THEATER ALONG THE MUHAMMAD ALI ARTS, CULTURE AND INNOVATION DISTRICT

LCCC

LCCC RAISES ROOF FOR GRAND LYRIC THEATER   

Louisville Central Community Centers, the developer of the Muhammad Ali Boulevard Arts, Culture and Innovation District, is constructing a performing arts facility to support its Kids Art Academy and the continued development of the district at its’ Old Walnut Street Development at 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.

On Friday, February 15, 2019 at 10:00 am there will be a roof raising ceremony with key stakeholders in the community, LCCC and advocators to bring Muhammad Ali Blvd back to life will be in attendance to lend their support.  Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith, an arts enthusiast, former Councilman David Tandy, Fund for the Arts’ CEO, Christen Boone, and representatives of the Norton Foundation and the Gheens Foundation all have confirmed their participation in the ceremony.  Representatives of the LCCC Kids Art Academy, the Tiny Tykes Theater Troupe and the Youth Repertory Theater Troupe of Louisville will perform to celebrate this achievement.

During the era between 1940-60’s, there was a theatre that was considered the hub where artists showcased their talents, which many went on to become professional entertainers performing alongside entertainment legends like Helen Hune, the jazz and blues singer with Count Basie’s band.  So, in 2019 we will revitalize the name The Grand Theater and Lyric Theater on historic Old Walnut Street in Louisville, KY in hopes of bringing life back into the arts and the community with a rich history in arts and entertainment.

The 300-seat Grand Lyric Theater will be home to LCCC’s Kids Art Academy (KAA), a youth arts education program with a focus on all facets of performing arts for over three decades.  KAA currently serves hundreds of school-age youth annually and has produced theater troupe sell-out productions of “Broadway-quality” musicals as “Beauty and The Beast”, “Black Nativity”, “A Christmas Carol”, “Once On This Island” and the nationally acclaimed show, “The Wiz.”. This state-of-the art facility will also serve as another venue for community groups to use for training, rehearsals and performances.

National experts from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Washington, DC endorsed LCCC’s economic revitalization vision by recommending to our community that Muhammad Ali Blvd. between 6th to 21st Streets be transformed into a cultural arts commercial district to help create a vibrant corridor that supports economic development and job creation west of Ninth Street.  This plan aligns itself with what used to be the historic Walnut Street (now known as Muhammad Ali Blvd.) between 6th to 15th Streets, an area once the commercial heart of the black community that contained thriving businesses, professional offices, restaurants and entertainment venues prior to the razing of the commercial district by an urban renewal plan in the 1960s. This plan has been included with support of Louisville Metro and Louisville Metro Housing Authority as an important part of the transformation of Russell.

Partial funding has been provided by U. S. Housing & Urban Development through its community development block grant to the city of Louisville and a number of private sources.  To complete the theater, additional sponsorship and naming opportunities are available to support:

  • lighting, sound and recording systems – $265,000
  • main stage, staging area and loading dock area – $140,000
  • rehearsal, restrooms and dressing rooms – $270,000
  • lobby, vestibule and restrooms – $250,000
  • seating, coat check and storage – $280,000

To setup an interview to discuss the Grand Lyric Theater and/or to setup a tour after the roof raising contact VIPP Communications at booking@vippcommunications.com.  We will see you on Friday, February 15th for the ceremony.  Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance so you can be in position to get everything you need for your stories.

 Louisville Central Community Centers Inc. is celebrating its 70th year of service to residents of the Russell neighborhood and west Louisville community.  As an anchor institution, LCCC provides an array of services including early childhood education, youth development, workforce development training, small business and neighborhood development activities.