After 14 months of renovations, the Southern Theatre will reopen its doors to the public for the first time in 20 years on Saturday, Sept. 6. The Southern Theatre, 102-years-old, was acquired and restored by CAPA (Columbus Association for the Performing Arts) to bring history to the Columbus community.”There were three reasons for restoring the Southern Theatre,” said Rosa Stolz, CAPA senior vice president. “They were to help save an important part of our community history, to make a first class downtown home for artists that want a 933 seat performance space, and to contribute to downtown economic development.”The Southern Theatre, which first opened on Sept. 21, 1896, was a home for the world`s greatest touring entertainers. Of the many artists performing there were John Philip Sousa and Anna Pavalova.In the early 1900s a silent film screen was put in as well as a stock theatre company to add variety to the theatre.Around 1930, the Southern Theatre stopped all live performances and ran films exclusively before its closing in April of 1979 due to a lack of modernization.Now that renovations are over, there isn`t anything that is not modern about the theatre, which houses the latest in contemporary theatre technology.”It`s a wonderfully historic theatre that will be able to produce any and everything that a modern theatre can,” said Stolz.Kicking off the reopening is a week long series of live performances, selected by CAPA, that showcase stand-up comedy, evenings of folk artistry, a co-commissioned jazz and dance premiere, and a blues celebration.The public will be able to tour the theatre, enjoy a street fair, and attend performances concluding with a jazz jam from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27.On Monday, Sept.28, guitar player Leo Kottke and Irish chanteuse Maura O`Connell will perform. Donald Byrd`s Jazz-Train is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, while blues star Keb` Mo` will take the stage on Wednesday, Sept. 30. “The Platypus Man” Richard Jeni will perform stand-up comedy in two performances on Saturday, Oct. 3.Tickets for these shows are now on sale at the CAPA Ticket Offices in the Ohio and Palace Theatres, Riffe Center, or any Ticketmaster location.The Southern Theatre will also host business meetings and community activities in addition to its live performances.