The former Winter Park Library building was empty for years, but Chris Cortez saw it as a blank canvas for building a brand new performing arts space, and had the opportunity to breathe new life into the city’s live entertainment scene.
His nonprofit, Blueboove the Arts Center, announced that the organization has reopened on June 22nd in two blocks of the new home east of Park Avenue. The announcement comes months after permission, demolition and construction on the previously vacant building.
The Orlando Jazz Orchestra will be the first band to decorate the brand new stage of the 182-seat “Encore Room.” This is the focus of the approximately 10,000 square feet of first-floor space, also featuring a “groove cafe” with records, CDs and snacks.
“We’ve started pre-ordering the show, but Opening Weeks is off the charts,” Cortez said. “There is a line of windows facing Fairbanks Avenue, and never happened.
Blue Bamboo will lease all three floors of the 33,000-square-foot building, but in Phase 1 only the first floor is open. Future stages of the build-out will see nonprofits of Florida’s Central Arts, including Central Florida’s vocal arts, performing arts material and Winter Park Music Academy moving upstairs.
“I think the (Winter Park City Commission) supported the fact that we can bring young people to this art community and show them from scratch how to put it together.” “I think this will boost our economic position on Park Avenue. They come to our show and go out for dinner or go to the bar for a drink.”
The performing arts nonprofit had to be put into operation in new spaces and hired a full-time fundraiser, Rosene Johnson, to help the organization achieve its $3 million fundraiser. Cortez said the cost for Phase 1 was estimated to be around $800,000, with the remaining phases estimated at over $1.5 million. The remaining funds are allocated for sustainability and the lifespan of the building. Blue Bamboo wants to secure grants that cover half of its total funding target.
“When we get the estimate back from the builder, a large portion of his fees will be demolished before the venue is built,” Flowers said. “Writing a check to support the people you care about is one thing. Showing up with a hammer is another thing.”
Maitland-based architect Mark Strike has designed the plan that is being implemented by Walker and the general contractor company, a local construction management and general contractor company who also works at the Orlando Museum and the Morse Museum.
Growing up in central Florida, Cortez spent some time in Houston during his career. The sparks began to form, and eventually lit the flames that brought blue bamboo.
“When I arrived in Houston, I began to discover the power to invest in other people’s careers. I somehow got entangled with my career and artistic goals,” he said. “When we built our first blue bamboo and my career was entangled with the local scene here, I discovered that through gifts and sharing with others, I could achieve my own artistic goals through space.”
The original Blue Bamboo Bamboe Fonue opened in 2016 in warehouse space on Kentucky Avenue, an industrial street running parallel to Fairbanks near I-4. In late 2023, the organization held its final concert, facing a triple rent increase from its new landlords. The expected financial tension has launched a search for a new venue that first led Dr. Phillips’ charity-owned space on the Orange Blossom Trail in the newly developed Packing District near College Park.
After that contract fell apart, Blue Bambab approached Winter Park last summer. Supporters gathered and convinced city commissioners that Winter Park needs performing arts space.
Blue Bamboo Beatrolins Museum uses the former winter park library building
“The fact that we pull this off is an incredible success story. I think the city saw it as a double victory,” Flowers said. “The city still has a deal for the Rollins Museum and they also have a performing arts centre. For me, this was really the best deal.”
Instead of using the previous library, the Rollins Museum is moving forward with plans to open a new 31,000-square-foot building across from the Alphondo Inn.
Though they are taking huge shows of local support, hard work and money to reach this point, Cortez and Flowers are moving forward with confidence that this space will serve as an art incubator and music gathering space for years to come.
“It’s a lot of people with a lot of hearts, and that’s what it takes to make this possible,” Flowers said. “We’ve been supported by the community to take us up to this point, and that’s what drives us forward.”
Visit BlueBambooartCenter.com to find out more about tickets and upcoming shows.
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