Clay Aiken fans are headed to New York City to see the 14^th concert of the Timeless Tour. Clay and Ruben Studdard will be performing at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan.

Located in the Manhattan Center Studios, the Hammerstein has 12,000 square feet and is in two levels. It is known for its elegant appearance and excellent acoustical design.

The ballroom seats 2,500 people for and musical performances. The two main balconies are unusually close to the ground and gently sloped. They seat a total of 1,200. There are six shallow balconies which are normally used for celebrity guests. The floor slants down to the stage area to enable those in the back rows to see easily.

The Manhattan Center was constructed in 1906 by the famous Broadway musical composer, Oscar Hammerstein. It was constructed as the Manhattan Opera House and was competition with the Metropolitan Opera.

The ownership of the center has changed hands many times over the last decades. The theater was converted into a large ballroom and was used as a Freemason’s temple in the 1930s and a trade union headquarters in the 1940s. It fell into disuse in the 1970. The current owner is the Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church.

The Timeless Tour will add a special touch to the venue? Will you be there tonight? Fortunately, I will be there, cheering on all the performers and enjoying the music and fun.

One of the wonderful “Clack” gatherers kindly put some of her videos of the Lancaster Concert on YouTube. I love seeing the concert over and over. I wish that so many more people could see these fine entertainers and share in the fun. Enjoy!