Houston Art Center Contribution

A Chickasaw county town is raising money to turn an old movie theater into a community performing arts center.

A chickasaw county town is raising money to turn an old movie theater into a community performing arts center.

As wcbi's allie martin reports, a singer with the metropolitan opera , who has ties to the area, will be part of a benefit concert.

Nathan carlisle is at home on stage, whether it's at the met in new york, or at a recital in california.

Nats he is also at home in northeast mississippi, where his grandparents lived.

So when the metropolitan opera was shut down because of covid 19, nathan came to houston.

"the only way i can survive new york city is to , each year come back and recharge, not only with this wonderful town and the people, but everyone has just been marvelous."

Carlisle found out the town was trying to raise money for a community theatre, so he offered to help.

The grammy award winning opera singer is organizing a benefit concert for the theatre, on september 19th.

""i'm titling the program, "from the military to the met," i sing in the metropolitan opera and i came very unorthodox route getting there, people don't normally go to the military and then to the met, it's an interesting story, we will do patriotic music, gospel and even country music , musical theatre and end the program with a few classical numbers.

" standup bridge the outdoor concert will be held in front of the old bijou dream theatre, the future home of the community theatre.

The goal is to raise enough money to start demo work on the inside.

" "there's a lot of work that needs to be done, we have a good plan in place, talked with architects, looked at other old theatres and how they approached those, we will really have something special."

And carlisle says he is glad to help the community that has meant so much to his family over the years.

"my grandparents, james and nancy were pillars of the community here, wonderful people and so for me to come back, not only spend time in this community but to be able to perform in this way and to help, it's a wonderful feeling to be able to do that."

In houston, allie martin, wcbi news carlisle will have pianists and other musicians at the benefit concert.

For more informaton on be able to perform in this way and to help, it's a wonderful feeling to be able to do that."

In houston, allie martin, wcbi news