ALL DRESSED UP!
Even though in-person concerts were at a halt during the pandemic shutdown, Rockport Music was hard at work all year long making several improvements and repairs to the Shalin Liu Performance Center. Some were unexpected while others were planned and needed as a result of 10 years of wear and tear on the building.
Inside the concert hall, all of the floors—including the stage—were refinished and now look brand new. Not a simple project, it took over two months to complete because all the seats had to be professionally removed and re-installed so that the refinishing team could access the floors. We took meticulous time and care to spruce up the grand front desk as well as the large front entrance doors which were showing the effects of their surroundings. We also replaced our aging lobby monitors, and on the third floor, the catering kitchen’s grease trap started eroding and leaking, so it was imperative to replace that component as well as the flooring.
Our beautiful oceanfront location is beloved by all, but the hall’s exterior can take a beating from the sun, sand and sea air. We repaired and replaced the exterior lights at the entrance of the building, and were able to do much-needed maintenance to the seaside exterior façade. We are also looking to replace our popular and ever-important marquee signs. Unfortunately, with the pandemic, there is a worldwide shortage of large screen monitors. People were in a mad dash to upgrade their home entertainment centers so they can watch all of the new TV series and streaming concerts (including our own Concert View virtual series!).
In order to improve the concert experience and to uphold our stellar reputation for state-of-the-art acoustics, the hall acquired new technology that concert goers and recording musicians alike will enjoy. For example, the video distribution system was upgraded providing a higher quality of video output for monitors and HD broadcast presentations. Additionally, during the floor refinishing, the audio connections in the stage floor were relocated and upgraded, providing a more streamlined view for patrons and increased the available performance space.
Thanks to generous donors to the In Concert With You campaign’s Building Preservation initiative, as well as the Shalin Liu Performance Center Building Preservation Endowment Fund established with seed money by Shalin Liu herself, our beautiful hall continues to shine. If you are interested in learning more or contributing to the Shalin Liu Performance Center Building Preservation Endowment Fund, please contact Lori Correale at 978-546-7391 x.103.
