It has been 67 years since the lavish Turner Hall ballroom was ravaged by fire, but if this weekend's Benefit for the Arts is successful, it may again be the grande dame of Milwaukee nightlife.
The three days of festivities at Turner Hall that kick off Friday are expected to put a dent in the $5 million needed for restoration of the room and raise funds for the San Damiano Studio, an arts program for children run by the Sisters of St. Francis.
Beauty Hair Salon, long known as a patron of the arts in Milwaukee, rediscovered Turner Hall ballroom during a photo shoot. Bjorn Daniels, operations manager for the salon, was moved enough by his visit there to spearhead the fundraising efforts in restoring the space to its original glory, complete with gas light fixtures, chandelier and an authentic 19th century feel.
"When I first saw the ballroom it was like being in the film 'The Shining' and seeing a past in it that no one else saw," says Daniels. "The place has a life to it that is really quite magical."
Fri., Sept. 29, from 7 p.m.-midnight, works by more than 125 local artists will be featured, accompanied by live music from Clamnation and local dj's. Suggested donation is $5 and will benefit Studio San Damiano.
On Saturday evening there will be an elegant affair organized by the Turner Organization. For $40, attendees can enjoy a soiree complete with entertainment and hors d'oevres.
Sunday afternoon, with arts and crafts activities for children, will be free to the public from 1-4 p.m. For more information, call Beauty at (414) 276-5054.
