community

Memorial Hall and the Longworth-Anderson Series—Creating Connection

The essence of live music performance is the potent connection between the musicians and their audience.

Cincinnati’s Memorial Hall is one of the most intimate venues in the region to foster this connection. But don’t just take our word—listen to what Longworth-Anderson Series (LAS) concert attendees have to say:

  • “Memorial Hall is the best venue in Cincinnati! I think it inspires musicians to play their best.”

  • “The LAS concerts are the most fun I’ve ever had at a concert. The reception is great because you get to talk with many other fans before the show. The concert venue is so intimate - it’s almost like the show is happening in your living room!”

  • “It is a showplace of exquisite beauty. A venue from older times when a theater was built with acoustics in mind, but also grandeur, a theatrical space that takes your breath away when you first walk through those doors. It makes one stop dead in his tracks to just absorb the beauty and history that permeates throughout the entire building. You can almost feel the remnants of wonderful past performances.”

  • “The intimacy of Memorial Hall draws me in close to the artists.”

  • “I’m a Cincinnati native, but this was my first time at Memorial Hall, and it was the most stunning venue. Loved the intimate feel of the concert.”

  • “The venue was just AMAZING. I've seen a lot of shows, in a lot of venues, but I felt immediately that this place was special.”

The word “intimate” is dominant in most reviews of the Memorial Hall experience—which might not have been a surprise to Samuel Hannaford & Sons, who designed the building in 1908 as a memorial to veterans of the Civil War and Spanish-American War. The Hall was originally a meeting place for veterans in the early 20th Century, and a welcome location for community events. The Cincinnati Preservation Association led the first renovation of the Hall in 1990-1992 with a more comprehensive renovation completed in 2016 by the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society (CMHS), 3CDC, and Hamilton County.

That latter restoration placed Memorial Hall as one of the catalysts of the revitalized arts district surrounding Washington Park. The next year saw CMHS’s inception of the LAS, which presents Grammy Award-winning and other nationally recognized performers in a variety of contemporary music genres.

Perhaps Samuel Hannaford & Sons didn’t set out to create the most personal and welcoming concert hall in the Tri-State area, but nearly 120 years later, Cincinnati music lovers are grateful.

—Scott Seward

Flavor of Findlay Silent Auction

The Longworth-Anderson Series is pleased to provide a pair of complimentary tickets to any upcoming concert for the Flavor of Findlay Silent Auction on Thursday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m.!

Flavor of Findlay is Findlay Market's premier annual fundraising event where top local chefs collaborate with market merchants to create unique and delicious dishes. Our donation supports their biggest fundraising event of the year, contributing to vital food entrepreneurship programs, community-building initiatives, and beautification at and around the Market.

Please click here for details.

We're Hiring!

Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society is hiring a Marketing & Development Intern to support our historic preservation and programming efforts, including the Longworth-Anderson Series!

Position:  Marketing & Development Intern

PostedNovember 11, 2021

Reports to:  Executive Director of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society and Longworth-Anderson Series

About the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society:

Established in 2004, the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society (CMHS) is a trustee-led, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and enhancing Memorial Hall as a place for culture, arts, and community.  In 2012, CMHS led the revitalization of Memorial Hall, resulting in its comprehensive renovation completed in 2016 by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), CMHS, and Hamilton County.  CMHS provides community input for the operation and programming of Memorial Hall; provides high-quality entertainment for a diverse audience through its annual, multi-genre, contemporary music series, the Longworth-Anderson Series (LAS) and LAS Underground virtual concert series; coordinates the “Friends & Founders of LAS” support group; and along with 3CDC coordinates the “Friends of Memorial Hall” support group, dedicated to preserving the Memorial Hall building.

About the Longworth-Anderson Series:

Launched in early 2017 by the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, the Longworth-Anderson Series (LAS) features Grammy Award-winning and other nationally recognized performers and bands at beautiful, historic Memorial Hall.  This annual series showcases artists from a variety of contemporary music genres including alternative, Americana, bluegrass, blues, country, folk, gospel, hip hop, jazz, pop, R&B, reggae, rock, soul, and world music.  Events that are part of the series provide an entire evening of entertainment including pre-concert receptions with live local music, light bites, and beer & wine tastings from popular regional restaurants, craft beer brewers, and wine distributors.

OUR GOALS:

  • Present each year a diverse lineup of Grammy Award-winning and other top-quality acts across a range of contemporary music genres for our community to enjoy;

  • Become a perennial and popular part of Cincinnati’s entertainment calendar;

  • Demonstrate the value of having the Memorial Hall theater as an integral part of the arts district around Washington Park

Job Description

The Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society seeks a part-time Marketing & Development Intern for the 2022 season.

Memorial Hall is located at 1225 Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine.  The intern will work remotely from their personal computer.  Hours are flexible, to be coordinated in advance with the Executive Director, tracked, and reported on a regular basis.  Some evenings and weekends are expected for concerts and other special events.

The intern will have the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a medium-sized nonprofit organization.  They will be invited and encouraged to propose specific projects related to marketing and development, in addition to performing administrative tasks as assigned.

Duties & Principal Responsibilities:

The intern’s duties include supporting the Executive Director in the implementation and coordination of:

  • Operational aspects of Longworth-Anderson Series concerts and receptions, assisted by Memorial Hall’s on-site staff;

  • LAS Underground virtual concerts;

  • Social media, website, and other marketing activities;

  • Promotional partners and media coverage;

  • Playbill advertisements and in-kind donations;

  • Food & beverage partners for pre-concert receptions;

  • “Friends & Founders of the Longworth-Anderson Series” and “Friends of Memorial Hall” support groups, including donor benefits, acknowledgments, and presentation of the annual “Friends & Founders Reception”;

  • Community engagement, including special events (e.g. “Music Trivia Nights,” etc.), partnerships, surveys, and giveaways;

  • Volunteer recruitment and onboarding;

  • Memorial Hall preservation efforts and other CMHS activities (e.g. Veterans Day programming, presentations, tours, etc.) at Memorial Hall;

  • Key records, metrics, and mailing lists

Minimum Requirements

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree or current enrollment as a junior or senior in arts administration, marketing, business administration, or a related arts/humanities discipline

Skills & Competencies

  • Dependable and willing to work independently on special project(s) as assigned, in addition to performing day-to-day tasks;

  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders ranging from artists to community partners;

  • Detail-oriented and organized;

  • Creative problem-solving skills and resourcefulness;

  • Energetic, positive outlook and collaborative spirit;

  • Commitment to organizational values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and audience access;

  • Proficient in Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook

Desirable Attributes

  • Demonstrated community involvement, including other internships or volunteer work;

  • Interest in the arts, contemporary music, and/or historic preservation;

  • Familiarity with marketing and public relations strategies, including experience with social media;

  • Design experience

To Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates may send their cover letter, resume, and two professional references to Cori Wolff, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society and Longworth-Anderson Series, at cori@longworth-andersonseries.com.

Applications are due by December 15, 2021.  Starting date is flexible, ideally January 2022.

The internship is part-time (approximately 1-2 days per week) at a mutually agreeable rate and period based on organizational needs and student’s program parameters.  Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status is required for employment.

Join the Friends of Memorial Hall!

Built in 1908 by the Grand Army of the Republic, the Hamilton County Memorial Hall building proudly stands in the heart of the revitalized arts district of Over-the-Rhine.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, recent renovations to the building, which were completed in 2015-16, have allowed for the preservation of its historic character and renewed utilization with more than 250 performances, concerts, lectures, meetings, weddings, and other events held there annually.

Although renovations were completed in 2016, preservation of the Hall is ongoing so it does not fall into disuse as it did in the second half of the last century. Thanks to our partners and donors, we are able to keep the doors open and lights on in this ”perfect gem” of a theater.

Today, with the support of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society and 3CDC, Memorial Hall is proud to present the “Friends of Memorial Hall” support group. It is through this initiative that we will continue our mission of preserving and celebrating the lasting history made within the walls of the Hall.

Become a Friend today at the $50+ level and 100% of your contribution will support historic preservation efforts at Memorial Hall. Through the support of our Friends, together we will protect this place of arts, culture, and community for years to come.

Memorial Hall is a collaboration of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, 3CDC, and Hamilton County.

LAS Underground presents Ron Jones Quartet at Jazz at the campSITE

Join us for LAS Underground presents Ron Jones Quartet on Wednesday, June 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Jazz at the campSITE in partnership with Jazz Alive.

LAS Underground is supported by the generosity of the thousands of young professional contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The program is also made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Tips are appreciated and will be split between the band and LAS Underground. Donations are tax-deductible and will be matched, dollar for dollar, thanks to The George and Margaret McLane Foundation.

CMHS Promotes Staff and Welcomes New Board Members to Expand Preservation & Programming Efforts

Cori Wolff has been promoted to the position of Executive Director of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society (CMHS) and Longworth-Anderson Series (LAS). Wolff has directed the contemporary music series featuring Grammy Award-winning and other nationally recognized artists such as Keb’ Mo’, Mavis Staples, and Marty Stuart since February 2018. In this broadened capacity, she will continue to work alongside Chair Bill Baumann and the CMHS Board of Trustees to grow the LAS and LAS Underground virtual concert series, with a renewed focus on preserving and enhancing historic Memorial Hall as a place for culture, arts, and community.

Photograph by Marlene Rounds, Photographer

Photograph by Marlene Rounds, Photographer

The board also salutes new trustees Amy Conroy, Destinee Thomas, Karen Tully, and Michael Wilson, whose expertise in fundraising, marketing, music, and preservation will advance the organization’s mission and strategic goals.  Additionally, CMHS welcomes Darren Blase, Jim Blase, Karla Boldery, NaQuia Chante, and Adalia Powell-Boehne to the LAS Advisory Committee, a diverse group of music enthusiasts, promoters, and writers who support the development and execution of this premier series.

Urban Axes Movember

Help our friends at Urban Axes raise money for Movember! Purchase a Movember Supporter Package add-on by Sunday, November 22, to get a free drink and have a chance to win awesome prizes, including a pair of complimentary lower balcony tickets to any 2021 Longworth-Anderson Series concert!

Book now and add the Movember Support Package to your group event.

Flavor of Findlay Silent Auction

Check out our contribution to Findlay Market’s Flavor of Findlay Silent Auction on Thursday, September 10! Bid on package #114 as well as 50+ other unique experiences, amazing baskets, fun getaways, and more.

Our donation is helping to raise much-needed funds to support local food programs, community-building initiatives, and beautification at and around the market.

Don't miss this perfect opportunity to support historic Findlay Market from the comfort of your own home! Start bidding, purchase raffle tickets, or donate today at Flavor20.givesmart.com or by texting "Flavor20" to 76278.