A convergence of events and motivations brought me to a place that had me feeling like a stranger in a strange land. There I was in the midst of Minneapolis singer and songwriter Mason Jennings' April 2 concert at Duluth's beautiful and historic NorShor Theatre.
Picture this scene: a 47 year-old bald guy, enveloped by 600 rocking, screaming, youthful and enthusiastic Mason Jennings fans. We were pressed up against the stage listening to Jennings' encore performance. The crowd was, with one exception (me), hip, cosmopolitan, energetic and mostly 20-something, save for a small scattering of the 30-something population. In the crowd, there were an abundance of tattoos, pierced body parts and colorful and expressive attire.
This audience was definitely not part of my usual networking group. Clearly, this crowd does not attend Duluth City Council meetings on a regular basis, either. Yet, this group is precisely the solution to the NorShor's financial troubles, and it continues to give me reason for optimism when considering the revitalization of our historic downtown. How well our community, and specifically our downtown businesses, embraces this crowd will determine how well our downtown prospers.
But, back to what landed me in a position where I was pressed up against the NorShor's stage at a Mason Jennings concert. First, my lovely, 20-year-old daughter bought me the concert ticket because she is an avid fan of Mason Jennings and believed I would enjoy his music, particularly his lyrics. I did. Second, my daughter and I have often discussed the need for our community to save the historic NorShor. Attending the concert was our small way of showing support for the renovation of this historic Duluth landmark.
In recent years, the NorShor Theatre was faced with mounting debt related to maintaining a deteriorating building. Its financial woes finally led to its closure in October 2003. However, part of the proceeds from the April 2 concert will be contributed to the theater's renovation as it reopens under new management: local artist Tim Hart and arts promoter Pete Seller have joined forces to manage the theater for at least one year. The two plan to repair the aged plumbing and electrical systems and hope to install new lighting and sound systems in the main theater and in the mezzanine level, as well.
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Preserving Duluth's history, by saving historic buildings like the NorShor, should be viewed as an effective way to stimulate economic growth. The Chamber's leadership understands how economic vitality can be fostered through historic preservation. We need to treasure the city's past and find ways to turn our community's historic buildings into homes for tax-paying businesses.
At the same time that they rebuild the past, Duluth's current leaders must also show appreciation for, and cater to, the next generation of community leaders represented by the Mason Jennings crowd. If we can embrace the change represented by youth and new vision, our community can save the NorShor, save downtown Duluth, and, in doing so, save not merely our past, but our future.
