News: Architectural plans approved for Holyoke’s Victory Theater, By Dennis Hohenberger , holyokescene@gmail.com
MIFA Creative Cast Visit Other Historic Theaters
In September and October MIFA’s Creative Cast of architect, construction manager, theater consultants and experts payed visits to three extraordinary working theaters like the Victory to see how they’ve addressed preservation and construction issues to successfully house a variety of acts, shows and ambitious programming.
“The managements and staff of Broadway’s Schoenfeld (formerly Plymouth), Boston’s Emerson Colonial (under new 40 year lease to London’s Ambassador Theatre Group) and Providence’s PPAC we’re incredibly warm and welcoming and the visits absolutely eye-opening for our Victory plans.” – MIFA Victory Executive Artistic Director Don Sanders
“To see how historic theaters can be adapted to accommodate the latest technologies and the needs of actors today. From the way one enters the seating chamber to the size of its public spaces, these historic theaters are similar to the Victory Theatre in so many ways!” – Michael Viveiros, AIA Principal, DBVW Architects
Historic Tax Credits News Briefs – October 2018
The Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA) announced Aug. 15 that Gov. Charlie Baker signed the 2018 Economic Development Bond bill into law, which will provide the organization with $11 million for the renovation of the Victory Theatre in Holyoke. MIFA plans to restore and operate the 1,600-seat historic theater, built in 1920, which closed in 1979. The financing package includes state and federal historic tax credits (HTCs) and new markets tax credits. The state also previously awarded MIFA a $2 million bond-financing package. Renovations costs are expected to total $43 million, with a reopening target date of Dec. 20, 2020. – www.novoco.com
El Sol Latino | October 2018 |Published on Oct 2, 2018
Editorial: Victory Theatre restoration worth it, By THE EDITORIAL BOARD, Wednesday, September 26, 2018, Daily Hampshire Gazette
The Victory Theater in Holyoke seats 1600. The seats will be be refurbished as part of the renovation project which just received 13 million in bonds from the state on Monday, September 17, 2018.
Holyoke’s Victory Theatre renovation project gets $13M infusion of state funds By Luis Fieldman, Monday, September 17, 2018, Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Daily Hampshire Gazette—STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
WWLP 22 News Coverage of the Victory Theatre Press Conference
Victory Theatre Press Conference September 17, 2018
Video by Radioplasma
A House earmark of $2 million in the $666 million economic development bill would go toward renovating the Victory Theater in Holyoke.
Massachusetts House tacks $125 million in earmarks onto economic development bond bill – By Shira Schoenberg, The Republican/Masslive.com, July 11, 2018.
June 28, 2018
VICTORY THEATRE RECEIVES STATE SUPPORT THROUGH THE CAPITAL ASSETS BOND BILL
BOSTON/HOLYOKE – The Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts (MIFA) Victory Theatre has been awarded $2 million in state support through the Capital Assets Bond Bill signed recently by Gov. Baker. Holyoke’s state senator Don Humason (R-Westfield), Senate Assistant Minority Leader, sponsored the amendment that earmarked the $2 million for the MIFA Victory Theatre project. The $2 million will be used toward renovating and reopening the historic Holyoke theater as a game changer for the performing arts and tourism in the Pioneer Valley and a force of consequence for economic development in Holyoke and the surrounding region…READ MORE: https://conta.cc/2Iy7RPK
Senator Don Humason, hosted a informational meeting at MIFA Victory Theatre in #Holyoke on Monday, October 30, 2017.
MIFA’s Executive Director Don Sanders led tour of the Victory Theatre with Senator Eric Lesser, State Rep Aaron Vega, State Rep Solomon Goldstein-Rose, Delcie Bean of Paragus Strategic I.T., MIFA’s Managing Director Katherine McKean, MIFA’s Tax Credit Financing Consultant Barbara Sokoloff, and MIFA’s development volunteers Geoffrey and Linda O’Connell. See more photos on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MIFAVictoryTheatre
Holyoke’s historic Victory Theatre’s storefronts exposed in bid for federal tax credits (photos, video), By The Republican Photo Desk, June 23, 2017, www.masslive.com
Is the Victory Theatre haunted? Check out some interesting discoveries the
Pioneer Valley Paranormal group found while investigating the historic Victory Theatre in
#Holyoke!
Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Funds:
We are pleased to announce that the MIFA Victory Theatre Project was awarded an additional $100,000.00 in Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (MHRTC) funds, putting us at a total of $4.3M!
We would like to thank Chairman Secretary William Galvin and the Massachusetts Historical Commission for their continued support.
Official Music Video by Lil Silva “Caught Up” feat. Cosima, starring The Victory Theatre & places around Holyoke as its backdrop!
Lil Silva “Caught Up” feat. Cosima from Floyd Russ on Vimeo.
Official Music Video for Caught Up feat. Cosima from JIMI EP from Good Years.
Directed by Floyd Russ
Starring:
Resnya Reneé
Sean Weil
Lexie Bean
Victor “Yellow” Perez
TJ O’Keefe
Michael Morin
Lisa Betournay…Full credits here
Special Thanks to Rory Casey and the City of Holyoke, Glenn Shealey, MIFA Victory Theatre, Vitek Kruta, Lori Divine and Gateway City Arts, Handheld Films.
The Victory Theatre: A palace of a playhouse, Amherst Wire, By Patrick Hoff, December 15, 2015
Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Executive Director Anita Walker toured the Victory with MIFA’s Don Sanders and Kathy McKean. This was Ms. Walker’s first visit to MIFA and the Victory!
MCC has been a supporter of MIFA for a number of years. Last year MIFA received $260,000 from their Cultural Facilities Fund grant,
and has reapplied for this year’s round!
See more photos here!
Exterior work has begun on The Victory Theatre!
The fire escapes were removed by The Axxion Company, LLC. Deteriorating from age, exposure to elements, disuse, and removing temptation for intruders, the fire escape from the back of the building and alleyway were taken down as well as the vine overgrowth and trees.
See more photos here!
In preparation for Winter, Architectural Roof Management, Inc is making repairs to the Victory Theatre roof! Thank you to Eric Taub & Alejandra for taking these photos from the Holyoke House. See more photos here: www.facebook.com/MIFAVictoryTheatre
MIFA Victory Theatre is happy to announce that we have received a $1,000 grant from the First Niagara Foundation to support the Victory Theatre Project!
“First Niagara is committed to doing all we can to make our community a place where all our citizens have opportunities to learn, to grow and to achieve their dreams. We are confident that our investment in your organization will advance the excellent work you do and make a meaningful difference in the community.” – First Niagara Foundation
News on the Victory Theatre 2015!
Dear Friends, We wanted to share with you updates and some of the exciting things MIFA has in store for the Victory Theatre! The doors may be closed, but there is a lot happening inside!
Wonderful post by Victoria Hallerman about her visit to the Victory with Abandoned America and After the Final Curtainfor the Third Victory Theatre Photography Workshop the was held June 27, 2015:
The Victory Theatre, Holyoke, Massachusetts by Victoria Hallerman
“There is so much elegance still left in this place, the “Grand Dame of the Paper City.””
Senator Donald F. Humason and Representative Aaron Vega hosted a Legislative Coffee Hour on Monday, March 16, 2015 at the MIFA Victory Theatre Office. Local and State officials were able to hear about the MIFA Victory Theatre Project plan and progress as well as ask question.
(Photo from left to right: MIFA Steering Committee Co-Chair Kevin Ross, MIFA Executive Artistic Director Don Sanders, ‘Save the Victory’ founder Helen Casey, MIFA Managing Director Kathy McKean, and State Rep Aaron Vega) for more photos visit: The Fifth Hampden Facebook page
D’Amours contribute $250,000 to restore Victory Theatre – By G. Michael Dobbs, news@thereminder.com, January 23, 2015
read: Press Release
Victory Theater qualifies for inclusion to National Register
- By Tyler Leahy, November 21, 2014, www.thereminder.com/localnews
Victory Theatre Tour on ‘Art Matters Day’
(left to right: State Rep Aaron Vega, MIFA Managing Director Kathy McKean, gubernatorial candidate Martha Coakley, MIFA Executive Artistic Director Don Sanders, MIFA Steering Committee Co-Chair Kevin Ross, Holyoke Creative Economy Coordinator Jeffrey Bianchine, MassCreative Executive Director Matthew Wilson)
Martha Coakley tours the Victory Theater in Holyoke, says creative economy will propel Massachusetts into future – By Michelle Williams, October 24, 2014, masslive.com
Mass Cultural Facilities Fund Grant: $260,000 to help restore the Victory Theatre and boost commercial activity in downtown Holyoke. – Press Release, Massachusetts Cultural Council & MassDevelopment, June 12, 2014
EXCITING UPDATES from MIFA Victory Theatre – MIFA Office, September 16, 2013
Holyoke Victory Theatre restoration gets $100,000 boost from legislators Mike Knapik, Aaron Vega – Mike Plaisance, The Republican, August 4, 2013
IMG Artists will collaborate on Victory Theatre development – The Holyoke Sun, In the News, June 7 – 13, 2013
Theater earns major ‘victory’ with IMG partnership – Katelyn Gendron, The Reminder, June 7, 2013
Richard Neal’s Photos: Tour of the Victory Theatre in Holyoke….
MIFA Victory Theatre Executive Artistic Director Don Sanders and Festival Manager Olivia Mausel had the pleasure of giving Congressman Richard Neal a tour of the Victory Theatre Monday August 13, 2012
Official music video – “The One” by Adrian Emberley + The Revolving Band
Filmed by Ides Of March Production. Shot at the Victory 2012!
Holyoke Victory Theatre renovation proceeds with selection of architect and $400,000 more in state tax credits – Mike Plaisance, The Republican, November 2, 2011
LISA Club Pitches in to Help Restore the Victory Theatre – Holyoke Community College, NEWS, August 12, 2011
Victory at the Victory Theatre in Holyoke – Michele P. Barker, Circuit Rider, Preservation Massachusetts, May 12, 2011
Victory at Last? Restoring a grand Holyoke Theatre – Rebecca Everett, Hampshire Lift, April 1, 2011
Quotable quotes give words to last a lifetime… – Barbara Bernard, The Republican, February 4, 2011
Discover Holyoke tours showcase the Paper City’s past, present and future… – Patrick Johnson, The Republican, October 23, 2010
More Funds For Victory Theatre Project Radio Report… – Paul Tuthill, WAMC Public Radio, August 25, 2010
Holyoke Victory Theater gets another $600,000 tax credits grant from Massachusetts… – Patricia Cahill, Special tot he Republican, August 18, 2010
Inside Holyoke’s Historic Victory Theatre… – Mark Roessler, Valley Advocate, February 25, 2010
Public to get view of Holyoke aging Victory Theatre – Ken Ross, The Republican, September 20, 2008
