Detroit Hall Cuts Back

The Music Hall Center for Performing Arts in Detroit, which was recently sued by Outback Concerts for hedging payment on an Etta James concert, has temporarily trimmed its staffing in an effort to solidify standing.

The PAC has temporarily furloughed nine full-time workers along with some part-time contract workers during the slow summer season for the nonprofit theatre. The venue expects to save $200,000 and keep on track to finish its fiscal year in September with a balanced budget, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"We needed to do some belt-tightening in this slow period and … present ourselves in the best financial position for the refinancing and other activities that we’re doing right now," Music Hall board chair Alex Parrish told the paper.

Mike Smardak’s Outback Concerts in Nashville filed suit against the venue in June for not paying the production company for an April 11th show. According to the suit, Outback is owed $58,908. Outback claims the Music Hall told it that its share was spent paying other bills.

Music Hall has not formally responded to the suit and Parrish declined to comment to the Free Press about the matter.