'Dire' Situation At Music Hall: Detroit Venue Needs $1.7M To Survive

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - This could be your chance to help preserve a piece of Detroit history.

Officials at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts say the venue must raise $1.7 million by the end of April to avoid defaulting on debt.

The Detroit Free Press reports the theater, which opened in 1928 and was reorganized as a nonprofit arts presenter in 1973, has launched a 5-year, $7 million capital campaign designed to eliminate $4.2 million in accumulated debt and provide cash reserves.

A message posted to Music Hall's Facebook page on Thursday reads: "Join Music Hall in its quest to raise $1.7 million to keep our mission moving forward, and the doors on our beloved, historical institution open. Whether it's one dollar, or one hundred - visit http://www.musichall.org to donate and become a part of Music Hall's legacy today."

Music Hall's homepage now features a "Donate to Music Hall" button in two locations which links directly to a PayPal form.

Officials say failure to meet an April 30 deadline could lead to the institution closing. Board secretary Shaun Wilson says the situation is "dire."

The Detroit News reports a fundraiser is scheduled for Feb. 12 starring Chaka Khan and other yet-to-be-announced artists. If the Music Hall succeeds in raising $300,000 by that evening other donors are expected to chip in an additional $100,000.

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