By Alisha Kinman
The community will have the chance to commemorate 40 years of excellence in the arts and theatre at the Hippodrome Theatre’s 40th Birthday Celebration. On Saturday, the community is invited to celebrate one of Gainesville’s iconic landmarks from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. while enjoying live performances and indulging in some of Gainesville’s finest foods and wines.
Prior to the party’s kickoff, Bruce Heiman, a Court of Masters Certified Sommelier and Certified Wine Specialist, will be offering a wine education and free tasting class for event ticket holders at 6 p.m. The lineup of festivities will commence at 7 p.m. with a live piano performance where attendees will also have the opportunity to relish in the Hippodrome Art Gallery’s most recent exhibition. Throughout the evening, food will be catered from Gainesville’s award-winning steakhouse, Mark’s Prime Steakhouse and Seafood, and celebratory birthday cake will be served. A drawing for prizes will also take place where attendees will be entered to win Silver Airways airline tickets and additional gifts.
The celebration comes at a time of transition where the Hippodrome’s Producing Director, Mary Hausch, prepares to exit the theatre and enter retirement. Since 1978, the Hippodrome has been located in heart of downtown Gainesville and has become home to a mainstage, cinema, art gallery and renovated basement. Hausch is one of the six graduates who founded the theater in 1973 at its original location on Hawthorne Road.
While the theater community will be wishing farewell to Hausch in the upcoming months, the 40th birthday will celebrate the continuation of Hippodrome productions and attendees will have a sneak peak of the upcoming summer musical-comedy, Avenue Q.
To learn more about the celebration or to purchase tickets, please visit here thehipp.org.
