On Friday, April 25, the Mars Theatre in Springfield, Ga. will open its doors for the first time since 1957. From 1945 until 1957, the Mars Theatrewas a gathering place in the community that brought culture and excitement to the downtown area. Now, city planners are hoping to ignite that feeling once again.

It has been almost 60 years since the Mars Theatre last welcomed the public, and the Springfield community highly anticipates its return. Completely renovated, the theatre will be a forum for entertainment and artistic gathering. It will offer live music from bands of all genres, movies for families and film lovers, cultural events, and community activities. Tommy Deadwyler, Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Springfield says, “We have outfitted the space with the latest in sound, lighting, and production technology to ensure that theMars Theatre can support the highest level of entertainment.”

A full weekend of concerts and activities are planned for the grand opening celebration, including GRAMMY-nominated artists The Greencards who will take the stage on Friday, April 25 at 8 pm. From their first down-beat in 2002 and through tours with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, The Greencards have won hearts and acclaim for their multidimensional Americana vision. Often labeled as part of, and said to be representative of, the new grass movement, they draw from Irish folk music, gypsy music, rock’ n’ roll, folk, and Latin American musical styles.

On Saturday morning, the Springfield Revitalization Corporation will hold its 4^th Annual Mars Theatre Benefit Bike Ride, which begins at the theatre at 8 am. Riders will be able to choose from 18, 37, or 65-mile courses, and all proceeds will help support the continued efforts of the theatre. The Mars Theatre will be open thatSaturday until 2 pm for tours.

The musical celebration will continue that evening; beginning at 8 pm, when indie-alt-folk group von Grey takes the stage. Having appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Conan, NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams, and CNN’s Road Warriors, the harmony-laced foursome has been called everything from an “Americana masterpiece” to simply “crazy-talented” by the media. They have opened for Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Lindsey Stirling, Rusted Root, and Company of Thieves, and performed standout sets at SxSW, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, and Gathering of the Vibes Festival; and their 2012 self-titled EP shot into the iTunes Top 10 following their memorable Conan performance. The group of four classically trained sisters has accomplished all of this without the help of a record label — and before their 20^th birthdays!

Closing the grand opening weekend will be a special 2 pm Sunday gospel music celebration with American roots artist Essie Mae Brooks. Brooks is a powerhouse gospel singer born in 1930 in Houston County, Ga., whose father was a great drummer in the nearly forgotten African-American tradition called Drumbeat. Brooks began singing and writing gospel songs to accompany her harmonica-playing grandfather, and has never stopped. She has toured throughout Europe, including performances at the Cognac Blues Festival in Cognac, France.

“We are ready for the theatre to be open and to re-energize downtown Springfield,” Deadwyler said. “The plan is to ensure a culturally rich, happy and vital community that will generate growth. That growth is what we are looking for in Springfield; and at the same time, we are looking to preserve part of our past.”

“Our vision for the Mars is to make this a community destination,” he added, “not only for the folks and residents of Springfield, but our neighbors in Effingham County and the surrounding area, through educational and diverse programming.”

For more information on ticketing and future happenings at the Mars Theatre, visit their website at www.marstheatre.com, at facebook.com/MarsTheatre, or call 912-754-1118.