Levitt Shell

Levitt Shell. Located in Overton Park, Memphis, Tennessee, the Levitt Shell is a historic outdoor amphitheater that has hosted numerous performances by famous artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin. The venue has been a part of the city's cultural scene since its opening in 1936, with its design influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Kahn. The Levitt Shell has also been a popular spot for events and concerts organized by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Jazz Orchestra, and the Beale Street festival.

● History

The Levitt Shell was built in 1936 as part of the New Deal program, with funding from the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Theatre Project. The venue was designed by the architectural firm Walker & Moody, which also designed other notable buildings in Memphis, Tennessee, such as the Memphis Central Station and the Peabody Hotel. The Levitt Shell was named after Morton Levitt, a Memphis, Tennessee businessman who donated funds for the construction of the venue. Over the years, the Levitt Shell has hosted performances by famous artists such as B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Sam Cooke, as well as events organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union.

● Architecture

The Levitt Shell is an example of Art Deco architecture, with its design influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Kahn. The venue features a large stage and a seating area that can accommodate up to 5,000 people. The Levitt Shell is also equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, making it an ideal venue for concerts and other performances. The venue's design has been praised by architects such as I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry, who have also designed notable buildings in Memphis, Tennessee, such as the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The Levitt Shell has also been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the American Institute of Architects.

● Performances

The Levitt Shell has hosted a wide range of performances over the years, including concerts by famous artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin. The venue has also been a popular spot for events and concerts organized by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Jazz Orchestra, and the Beale Street festival. Other notable performers who have appeared at the Levitt Shell include Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The venue has also hosted events organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union, as well as performances by notable artists such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

● Restoration

In the 2000s, the Levitt Shell underwent a major restoration project, which was funded by the City of Memphis and the Levitt Shell Foundation. The project included the renovation of the venue's stage and seating area, as well as the installation of new sound and lighting systems. The restoration project was overseen by the architectural firm Archimania, which also designed other notable buildings in Memphis, Tennessee, such as the Memphis Central Library and the University of Memphis campus. The project was also supported by notable individuals such as Justin Timberlake and Morgan Freeman, who have both performed at the Levitt Shell.

● Operations

The Levitt Shell is operated by the Levitt Shell Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting the arts and culture in Memphis, Tennessee. The foundation works with a variety of partners, including the City of Memphis, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the Beale Street festival, to host events and concerts at the venue. The Levitt Shell is also available for rent for private events and concerts, and has been used by notable organizations such as the National Civil Rights Museum and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The venue is also supported by notable individuals such as Al Green and Cybill Shepherd, who have both performed at the Levitt Shell.

Category:Music venues in the United States