Kenny Rankin Packs the Hall

By Leila Javitch

Concertgoers are delighted with the new venue in Norfolk.

Infinity Hall had its long-awaited and spectacular opening on Friday October 17. The hall was packed and crackling with excitement. About 245 seats were claimed by a mostly middle-aged crowd who had come to hear Kenny Rankin, a singer and song-writer whose music is at once jazzy, plaintive and moving. Rankin’s career has spanned four decades, and many in the audience became devoted fans in the Seventies. They loved every moment of Rankin’s fine performance at our new theater. Infinity Hall owner Dan Hincks welcomed everyone briefly, describing the evening as “a dream come true.” He expressed his appreciation for the help of so many Norfolk residents and reiterated his hope that Infinity Hall audiences will have a lot of fun sharing with each other the joyfulness of listening to a wide range of music. Kenny Rankin was preceded by a comedian named Dave Reilly who drew hearty laughs with a series of spicy monologues and some jokes about small and rural Norfolk. He referred, purposefully, to the beautifully refurbished theater as a “barn” and by implication the audience as a singular group of yokels. “Yeh. Yeh. You’re my comedy show for tomorrow!” he cracked after one burst of applause. After a brief intermission when drinks and cd’s could be purchased, Mr. Rankin came on. His delighted fans recognized many of his songs, clapping as he began and swaying their heads gently to the music’s beat . Some songs were his own compositions; some were arrangements he had made of the works of other composers which included the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. Rankin accompanied himself on the guitar and occasionally on an electronic keyboard. He interspersed his varied repertory with jokes and anecdotes. There were at least 50 to 75 Norfolkians in the audience, and several members of the Hincks family. But most of the seats were taken by Kenny Rankin fans who had come to hear him from all parts of the state. One couple drove three hours from Fishkill, New York to attend after learning of the performance on Rankin’s website. They had known nothing about Norfolk previously but enjoyed their day here and said they will be back. Infinity Hall has been beautifully painted in warm but not overwhelming colors. The Victorian detail on the balcony, walls, and in the arch that frames the stage has been carefully restored. Elegant black and white portraits hang in the entrance hall. These were donated by Michael Dobo, a Norfolk resident who was a photographer at Rolling Stone Magazine. There is a bar on the ground floor and the first floor, and there will soon be an operating cabaret mezzanine on the balcony where there are an additional 46 seats. The Bistro, a full-scale restaurant, will open early in 2009. Several Norfolk residents are working at the theater in the box office and in production. They seem to know what they are doing: the opening night’s progress was flawless. Information, directions, and tickets are easily obtainable at the theater’s Web site which is www.infinityhall.org. There appeared to be no serious parking problems for patrons of the performance, although perhaps the website could suggest that parking at Town Hall or around the Green are easy options.