History

The Historic Sipp Theatre is located in Paintsville, KY, approximately 60 miles south of Ashland on U S Rt. 23(THE COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY)and 110 miles East of Lexington. The theatre was constructed in 1931 and opened in January, 1932 as Paintsville's first "talkie" and has operated since that time as a combination movie/concert venue. In 1994 the structure was in poor condition and in danger of closing. Because of its unique place in the entertainment and social history of East KY, the Sipp Theatre Foundation was created to attempt to rescue the old theatre from the wrecking ball and to restore it to its original mission and purpose as a movie house and concert hall. The restoration began in May, 1994 and was completed to the point where the Sipp could re-open as a movie house in July, 1994. Work has continued since then and the Sipp staged its first concert since the re-opening in Nov, 1994, with J D Crow and the New South. It has hosted many concerts since, and presents about 15 events a year, with music ranging from its famous "Bluegrass At The Sipp" series to annual concerts by the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra.