Lyric Oxford Theater

The Lyric Oxford Theater is a historic live-music and events venue at 1006 Van Buren Avenue in Oxford, Mississippi. The building began as a livery stable in the late 1800s and was owned by William Faulkner's family in the early 20th century. During the 1920s it was converted into a theater for live performances and silent films and named The Lyric Theatre, later becoming Oxford's first movie theater. In 1949 William Faulkner walked from his home, Rowan Oak, to the Lyric for the world premiere of MGM's adaptation of "Intruder in the Dust." The Lyric stopped operating as a movie theater in the 1970s and stood abandoned for years until the early 1980s, when it was restored and converted into office spaces, residential housing, and a health center. In 2007 the building underwent an extensive restoration and returned to its original use as a theater, reopening on July 3, 2008. Today the Lyric Oxford operates as one of North Mississippi's premiere live music venues, hosting concerts, fundraisers, private functions, and wedding receptions in the heart of Oxford. Its programming spans country, indie, hip hop/rap, tribute acts, DJ/dance nights, and performing arts, with touring artists and themed events appearing regularly. The venue's calendar has included shows such as Max McNown, It's A 2000s Party, The Molly Ringwalds, Congress the Band, cupcakKe, Cosmic Charlie, Mustache the Band, and Panic Stricken. All shows are 18 and up unless otherwise specified, though minors are allowed if accompanied by a parent or guardian over 21. The theater is currently managed by Lindsay Dillon-Maginnis.

The Lyric Oxford Theater occupies a building with a long and varied history in Oxford, Mississippi. It was originally constructed in the late 1800s as a livery stable, used to hold the horses that pulled buggies around Oxford's town square. In the early part of the 20th century the structure was owned by William Faulkner's family. During the 1920s it was converted into a theater for live performances and silent films and named The Lyric Theatre; during this period it was owned and operated by Robert X. Williams, Jr., the son of the mayor and a cousin-in-law of William Faulkner. The advent of motion pictures turned the Lyric into Oxford's first movie theater. In 1949, William Faulkner walked from his home, Rowan Oak, to his childhood stable for the world premiere of MGM's adaptation of "Intruder in the Dust." The Lyric stopped operating as a movie theater in the 1970s and was left abandoned for many years until the early 1980s, when it was restored and converted into office spaces, residential housing, and a health center. In 2007, The Lyric underwent an extensive restoration process and returned to its original use as a theater. It began operating again on July 3, 2008. Since reopening, the venue has hosted an assortment of events including concerts, fundraisers, private functions, and wedding receptions, and it is currently managed by Lindsay Dillon-Maginnis.

• 2008

  Began operating again as a theater on July 3, 2008.

• 2007

  Underwent an extensive restoration process to return to its original use as a theater.

• 1980

  Restored and converted into office spaces, residential housing, and a health center.

• 1970

  Stopped operating as a movie theater and was abandoned for many years.

• 1949

  William Faulkner attended the world premiere of MGM's "Intruder in the Dust" at the Lyric.

• 1920

  Converted into a theater for live performances and silent films, named The Lyric Theatre.

• 1880

  Original construction as a livery stable in the late 1800s.

One of North Mississippi's premiere live music venues, operating in a restored historic theater in the heart of Oxford.

• Live music concerts

• Tribute act shows

• DJ and dance events

• Fundraisers

• Private functions

• Wedding receptions

1. 1The Lyric Oxford – Official Websitethelyricoxford.com
2. 2About The Lyric Oxfordthelyricoxford.com
3. 3Lyric Theater (Oxford, Mississippi) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
4. 4Lyric Oxford Theater - Wikidatawikidata.org