In a spot once occupied by tables and chairs inside the well-known restaurant Alfalfa, a singer performs a sultry cover of Sade's Smooth Operator as she stands in a cozy new performance space called the Encore Room — exposed brick walls to the side, spotlights lining the ceiling, and a window behind her that makes shows visible from the street.
It's only one piece of a years-long project to expand spaces inside the arts center, with American Rescue Plan dollars helping complete the dream.
"We have made some effort to get the word out, but I gotta say it's the arts community that came rushing in immediately," Center Director Celeste Lewis says. "They are ready for this, excited about this, and they're already coming to us to say here's what I wanna do."
Surrounding by curious ribbon-cutting attendees surveying the new spaces, Lewis field congratulations on the now-completely-transformed third floor, which features an elegant space called "The Embry Room" for parties, receptions, and small gatherings; The Lowenthal Room, a larger area ideal for parties, performances, and meetings overlooking Main Street; and one room down the hallway dubbed simply "The Studio."
"So we have this beautiful art studio which is, I think, one of the most state-of-the-art studios in Lexington," she says. "It'll be beautiful for multiple purposes. It can be an educational space, an individual artist space, a workshop, group artist space. So that's gonna be great. And the event spaces are multiuse. They can be for parties, meetings, performances."
And Wednesday wasn't just the official unveiling. The rooms are now fully open and ready to be rented out for events between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.
