The Shirley Opera House, erected in 1907 at 503 Main Street, Atwood, Kansas was the creation of an influential area pioneer. Now owned by Jeff and Alice Hill, The Shirley Opera House is upstairs from their restaurant, "The Aberdeen Steakhouse."

Built when Atwood, Kansas was 25 years old and home to 800 citizens, the building represents a historically important period for the refinement of places for entertainment in newly developing communities during the late 1800's / early 1900's.

This is the back-drop for this upcoming benefit concert for the restoration of The Shirley Opera House listed on the Kansas State Historic Register August 26, 2006, which will be home to many local and touring artists.

EricaJames will be opening for Michael Martin Murphey who has had 6 gold records and numerous hit singles including, "Wildfire," "Cowboy Logic," "Carolina in the Pines," "What's Forever For," and "Long Line of Love." Come and join this fun filled day of music with EricaJames and America's #1 Cowboy Music Singer, Michael Martin Murphey. EricaJames will open from about 2:00pm - 3:00pm and Michael Martin Murphy to follow and play until about 5:00pm. Be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, June 3rd, 2007.

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As received in an email from Alice Hill.

We received word yesterday that the Shirley Opera House Project was awarded a $90,000.00 grant from the Heritage Trust Fund for the first stage of restoration. This will be pulling up the floor and rebuilding the joists and restoring the windows and walls or as much as can be done before the money runs out. A huge boost to our dream of peformance, dance and community gathering just as was held upstairs 100 years ago.

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