Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/97647
Sarasota News Leader December 7, 2012 Page 99 VAN WEZEL STAGE SPORTING A NEW GRAND DRAPE The Van Wezel Foundation has donated a new "This type of fabric is inherently fire retardant grand drape to the Van Wezel Performing Arts and will not need to be re-treated for fire reHall in Sarasota, the hall has announced. sistance," the release adds. The $15,000 grand drape has been installed The curtain (including the chain in the bottom and is in use, a news release notes. Its first hem) weighs about 900 pounds; with its other show was Dave Koz & Friends in November. hardware, the total weight is 1,020 pounds, the release notes. The drape itself, manufactured by Rose Brand, is composed of two panels, each 34 feet high Because of the counterweight fly system, it and 40 feet wide, for a total width of 80 feet. can be raised and lowered by one man. The fabric of the drape is sewn from 25-ounce The previous grand drape had suffered from synthetic velour, which is considered a heavy more than six years of usage in damaged conweight suitable for professional theaters, a dition, the news release points out. % news release says. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota has a new grand drape, thanks to its foundation. Contributed photo