**PRESS RELEASE**
BLUMENFIELD AND DEPT. OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS SHAPE, ENHANCE, AND TRANSFORM CANOGA PARK CULTURAL ARTS HUB WITH EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS TO MADRID AND TAXCO THEATRES
CANOGA PARK, CA - City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) are working together to shape, enhance, and transform a Canoga Park commercial neighborhood into the Canoga Park Cultural Arts District, a cultural and performance arts corridor with the renovation of the department’s Madrid Theatre and the Taxco Theatre.
To mark the temporary closure of the Madrid before construction begins, this past Saturday, Blumenfield was joined by city leaders, community members and local performers for one last performance by the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale. Speakers included Daniel Tarica, Interim GM for DCA; John Weidner, Lead Architect, Gensler; Steven Lane, City Bureau of Engineering (BOE); and Emely Pineda from the Office of State Senator Henry Stern. With Gensler as the architectural firm, renovations will include a new lobby space, upgraded backstage facilities, upgraded sound gear, new restrooms and much more.
“We are excited to re-establish another arts and cultural anchor in Canoga Park and the surrounding communities with the continued building of the Canoga Park Cultural Arts Hub,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield. “With the renovations of the Madrid Theatre and the Taxco Theatre, we are creating a stronger legacy foundation of opportunity for young people to participate in workforce development for the arts, and for people to experience more arts and cultural experiences.”
DCA Interim General Manager Daniel Tarica said: “Thanks to the support of Councilmember Blumenfield, we are proud to see this initiative come to fruition, further developing the foundation for arts and cultural programming for the residents of the City of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. In partnership with DCA’s Madrid Theatre and Canoga Park Youth Arts Center, this investment will create new opportunities for programming for young people and adults. As DCA embarks on the renovation of the 400+ seat Madrid Theatre, the Taxco Theatre will play an integral role to further support the community.”
Under Blumenfield’s leadership, he secured and invested nearly $8 million in the renovation of the historic 430-seat Madrid Theatre with a projected grand re-opening during the 2024-2025 season. The Taxco Theatre, acquired in 2018 under Blumenfield's guidance, closes its doors this September, 2022 for a $1 million renovation, transforming this neighborhood mainstay into the only publicly-owned facility providing opportunities for local artists, nonprofit organizations, community organizations, and performing arts students to develop and produce new work. The Taxco’s projected grand opening is set for 2023.
The Madrid Theatre Cultural Hub (MaTCH) is a funding initiative within DCA’s Performing Arts Program that expands and enhances the programming DCA provides at the Madrid Theatre and will offer through residencies at the Taxco Theatre. MaTCH will help incentivize the use of both theaters by providing additional support to expand the number of events and residencies booked into the venues, and to help promote and support regional performing artists and companies creating work across Los Angeles.
Canoga Park has a long tradition and history of supporting local arts and culture. In 1963, a sister-city program was established between Canoga Park and the city of Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico by community residents. The Canoga Park Chamber of Commerce sponsored numerous cultural exchange programs and tours. The cultural exchanges provided international goodwill through art exhibitions, dance performances, and numerous cultural and artistic activities for the community to enjoy.
Blumenfield concluded, “These venues will open up opportunities for all kinds of performers and make getting on a stage with an audience accessible for all. We are making incredible investments into Canoga Park and I’m very excited for what the future holds for the arts in our community.”
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