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Clowes Memorial Hall

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Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University
Clowes Memorial Hall in 2012
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University is located in Indiana
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University
Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University
Location of Clowes Memorial Hall in Indiana
Address4602 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis,
Indiana
United States
Coordinates39°50′25″N 86°10′11″W / 39.840278°N 86.169722°W / 39.840278; -86.169722
OwnerButler University
OperatorButler University
Capacity2,096
2,172 possible
Current usePerforming arts
Construction
OpenedOctober 18, 1963; 61 years ago (1963-10-18)
Years active1963–present
ArchitectEvans Woollen III and John M. Johansen
Website
www.butlerartscenter.org/venue/clowes-memorial-hall

Clowes Memorial Hall, officially known as Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, is a performance hall located on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Opened October 18, 1963, it hosts numerous significant concerts, orchestras, musicals, plays, and guest speakers. Clowes Hall anchors the Butler Arts and Events Center, which includes the Schrott Center for the Arts, Shelton Auditorium, the Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall, and the Lilly Hall Studio Theatre.[1]

History

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Clowes (/kluːz/) Memorial Hall, which opened in 1963, was co-designed by noted Indianapolis architect Evans Woollen III, of Woollen, Molzan and Partners, and John M. Johansen, a well-known architect who established his practice in New Canaan, Connecticut. The performing hall is notable for its exposed concrete slabs, which are typical of the Brutalist architecture style.[2] Woollen served as the junior partner in the project but was the "driving force behind its design and detail."[3] Since it opened, the architectural community has praised its bold design.[3] In 2021, a six-person panel of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Indianapolis members identified the venue among the ten most "architecturally significant" buildings completed in the city since World War II.[4]

The design for the 24,000 sq ft (2,200 m2), $3.5 million building was a controversial one. Still, Allen Whitehill Clowes, son of George Henry Alexander Clowes, for whom the building is named, supported Woollen's proposal. Johanson had been Woollen's professor at Yale and was a former classmate of Allen Clowes at Harvard University.[5]

Clowes, a former director of biochemical research for Eli Lilly and Company, maintained a lifetime love of the arts. With the help of his wife and Butler University, the Clowes Fund was created to help build the performing arts facility. The building was initially intended to be used by both Butler University and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. This joint venture continued until 1984 when the orchestra purchased, renovated, and moved to the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.[1]

Notable performances

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In addition to being the former home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Clowes Memorial Hall has been home to a number of notable music performances and productions. In 2011, Indianapolis-born Adam Lambert recorded his Glam Nation Tour at the venue for the Glam Nation Live CD/DVD set.

Among those who have appeared at Clowes are Bob Hope (1963), Barbra Streisand (1963), Liberace (1964), Louis Armstrong (1964), Duke Ellington (1966), Tony Bennett (1966), Count Basie (1966), Florence Henderson (1966), Ella Fitzgerald (1967), Judy Garland (1967), Johnny Carson (1967), Benny Goodman (1968), Ray Charles (1968), Diana Ross & The Supremes (1968), Beach Boys (1968), Harry Chapin (1979), Gordon Lightfoot (1983), comedian George Carlin (1984), Sandi Patty (1985), R.E.M. (1985), INXS (1985), Whitney Houston (1985), The Psychedelic Furs (1987), Miles Davis (1987), Maya Angelou (1988), Alan Parsons Live (Project) (1995), Vertical Horizon (2000), Everclear (2002), Counting Crows (2003), Michelle Branch (2003), comedian Chris Rock (2004), Ben Folds (2005), My Morning Jacket (2006), Creed's Scott Stapp (2006), John Hiatt (2007), band OK Go (2007), Common (rapper (2008), John Mellencamp (2010), Elton John (2010), chef Anthony Bourdain (2010), coach Bob Knight (2011), author John Green (2011), The Fray (2011), Garrison Keillor (2012), Jimmy Fallon (2012), author David Sedaris (2012), Colbie Caillat (2013), Jay Leno (2014), Kesha (2016), comedian Gabriel Iglesias (2017), Mannheim Steamroller (Dec 2017), Alison Krauss (2018), travel host Rick Steves (2019), astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson (2021), Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets (Pink Floyd's drummer) (2022), Impractical Jokers' Joe Gatto (2022), William Shatner (2023), archaeologist host Josh Gates (2023), the Broadway play Hadestown (2024), and comedian Jim Gaffigan (2024).[6]

Seating capacity

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Seating area Capacity
Main Floor 1,218
First Terrace and Boxes 307
Second Terrace and Boxes 289
Third Terrace and Boxes 282
Pit Seating
(limited viewing seats)		 76
Total capacity 2,172

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gadski, Mary Ellen (2021) [1994]. "Clowes Memorial Hall". Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  2. ^ Drawbaugh, Kevin A. (February 16, 1988). "Woollen's Mark Seen on Major Indiana Buildings". Indianapolis News. Indianapolis: C3. See: "Biographical" Sketch in Woollen, Molzan and Partners, Inc. Architectural Records, ca. 1912–2011. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. 2017. See also: Mary Ellen Gadski, "Woollen, Molzan and Partners" in David J. Bodenhamer and Robert G. Barrows, ed. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. pp. 1453–54. ISBN 0-253-31222-1.
  3. ^ a b Trounstine, Philip J. (May 9, 1976). "Evans Woollen: Struggles of a 'Good Architect'". Indianapolis Star Magazine. Indianapolis, Indiana: 23.
  4. ^ Shuey, Mickey (December 3, 2021). "Indy's Top 10 architecturally wondrous buildings". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Fernandez, Megan (June 2010). "The Pillar: Evans Woollen". Indianapolis Monthly. Indianapolis, Indiana: 68. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  6. ^ "Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis, IN, USA Concert Setlists". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
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