Everybody’s first question when visiting WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, The Linda, is,”Who’s Linda?” Well, now we know the answer to that plus six more things you probably didn’t know about The Linda!
1. Who is Linda?
WAMC’s The Linda is named after Linda Norris, a long time supporter and contributor to the station. Linda Norris is a supporter of community arts organizations like museums and, of course, performing arts venues.
2. The Linda building used to be a bank
A lot of people who visit The Linda don’t know that the building used to be a downtown Albany branch of Fleet Bank. In the 1970’s, WAMC received a grant for the renovation of the abandoned bank building, and The Linda was born.
3. The green room is in the original bank vault
While we’re on the subject of the bank building, you should know that the green room (the space used to accommodate performers before and after they go on stage) is in the original vault of the Fleet Bank. It’s an incredibly cool space with the original vault door – very Ocean’s Eleven.
4. All of their alcoholic beverages are $5
The Linda focuses first on the performing arts and the audience’s experience. Therefore, they charge the same price for all alcoholic beverages to simplify the whole concessions process.
5. You can rent The Linda
It might seem counter-intuitive, but The Linda isn’t just a place for WAMC to host their live performances of music, comedy, and readings. In fact, The Linda can be rented as a public space for many community functions like meetings, seminars, recordings, film screenings, and pretty much anything else you might need a room to hold 240 people.
6. You can volunteer
Volunteers of The Linda are greeters, ushers, and ticket takers, so they get to rub elbows with members of the Albany arts community. Plus, since the shows are always intimate and casual, there’s a chance to meet and greet with the artists. If you’re more of a behind the scenes person, you can volunteer for WAMC’s annual fund drive (and enjoy free food while you do it!)
7. It’s a really cool place
Ok, so a lot of you probably already knew this, but we’d like to reinforce what a great place The Linda is. For starters, their listeners are usually between the ages of 25-54, which is younger than most people imagine when they hear “public radio” and “performing arts” in the same sentence. Their concessions come from The Daily Grind, and their performers are always incredibly talented.
If you’re heading to The Linda sometime, let us know – maybe we’ll see you there! Comment below with your Linda experience!
Check out the Albany.com Events Calendar for live music & entertainment events in Albany.
