Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Fundraising
-
January 26, 2007
Purchase a bulb on our marquee
NORWALK, OH — We are currently trying to raise some funds to help purchase some newer projection equipment, restore the marquee, sponsor some live plays and help with operating costs.
We have over 800 bulbs on our marquee and for $50.00, individuals and businesses can “purchase” a bulb. In return, you will get your name or business name listed in our live event programs for one full year.
We have owned the Norwalk Theatre for about two months and need some help to get it off the ground. This is a great way for people who want to see another historic art deco theatre survive, to help out.
Go to our website and check out the pictures of our theatre and the mailing address if you would like to “purchase” a bulb. You can also see the magnificient marquee on our website, too. You may purchase more than one bulb if you would like. Each bulb you purchase can have a separate name listed in our programs.
Thanks for your help!
2 comments -
January 3, 2007
Urgent request to help save the historic Franklin Cinema
FRANKLIN, TN — As it currently stands, the venerable 1936 Franklin Cinema will close January 7, 2006. This fine little theatre has hosted world premieres and special screenings of several major motion pictures. The theatre is located on one of the most vibrant Main Streets in the United States.
If you have the means and the entrepreneur spirit to keep this institution alive and profitable, please contact the cinema at (615) 790-7122 and leave a message following the recording for the daily show times.
More information is available at the Save the Franklin Site.
(Thanks to John Coursey for providing the photo.)
-
January 2, 2007
Mohawk Theater Project inching forward
NORTH ADAMS, MA — With the Mohawk Theatre dormant for so long, the community is desperately trying to raise funds to restore it. A new governor should help the process but private donations are still essential to making it a reality.
An estimated $7.7 million theater renovation project, when completed, would likely restore the historical theater to its' place of prominence within the city’s downtown and its' heart.
The renovation plans include an expansion of the stage house, a reconfiguration of a theater parking area, the construction of performer dressing rooms, theater restrooms, and numerous amenities. The project is anticipated to turn the space into a sought-after, star-quality performing venue.
To read more, go to iberkshires.com.
-
December 28, 2006
Restore the theater, restore the community
PHILIPPI, WV — This sleepy little community has a gem nestled right in the center of town. The years of misuse and neglect are taking their toll, and the great lady who is the Grand Theatre is fading. We are here on faith, moved from Orlando, Florida, in an attempt to breathe life back into this unsung heroine.
Built in the late 20’s or early 30’s as a vaudeville palace, the Grand went the way of many theaters of her type, which is to be converted to a cinema. It appears from all the information I can gather that none of the owners of this theater in this timeframe had the vision or the finances to allow this lady to really achieve her name.
Our desire is to purchase this theater, restore her — perhaps to a condition she never enjoyed — and to host movies as well as other theatrical events, including concerts, recitals, plays, dramatic readings and inspirational/motivational speakers. Our mission is to provide all forms of family-friendly entertainment, and to engage the community to be involved in the process.
-
December 27, 2006
Town Theater RFEI
HILLSBORO, OR — Here’s some more information on the RFEI mentioned a few weeks ago.
The City of Hillsboro owns a vintage theater in the heart of downtown Hillsboro. Unfortunately, it is currently in a state of disrepair. The theater was originally built in the art deco style in the 1920s and operated as a Venetian Theatre until 1956, when it suffered significant damage in a fire. It was restored and opened in 1957 as the Town Theater. It has been closed since 1996 and has been unoccupied since that time. The City acquired the adjacent building to provide additional space for physical changes to the building such as ADA accessible restrooms which may be required by current code.
Many townspeople seem to be behind any effort that would be made to restore the theater and return it to use.
The City recently issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to entertain different concepts and plans for the restoration and use of the theater. If you are interested in responding to such a request, or if you can offer an avenue to help us get the word out, please let me know. All relevant documentation can be found at the Town Theater RFEI Site.
Thank you!
Contact:
John Southgate
.or.us
503-681-6229 -
December 19, 2006
Vancouver, BC - The Heart Of The World
VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA — Built in 1913, the theater formerly known as the Alcazar, the York, then the New York, and most recently a Bollywood outlet called theRaja, went up for sale. We’re now trying to buy it, completely refurbish it, and turn it into a multi-disciplinary venue for anything you could use a theater for.
We plan on showing films, hosting music concerts, live plays, and are even in talks with Vancouver schools so their film students can show their work in a theater setting. We also hope to screen films from festivals like Sundance and Cannes, so these budding directors can get their films seen by as many people as possible.
-
December 18, 2006
Home of the original Carolina Barn Dance (aired in 40’s/50’s) needs help
SPRUCE PINE, NC — A Famous History – A Promising Future
The Carolina Theatre, a cultural event center in downtown Spruce Pine, was built in 1937 during the heyday of the Silver Screen. Now The Carolina Theatre Preservation Association, Inc. (a 501©(3) corp) hosts a plethora of entertainment and fundraising events for classic country enthusiasts and historical buffs in efforts to restore this theatre to its historic roots.
The grand, neon-decorated marquee(now a little worse for wear) survives and juts out prominently over the city sidewalk. Countless banners were hung from it, hawking the movies and live entertainment of the era: The Frontier Badman starring Lon Chaney; Gone with the Wind; all the Sing Cowboy films; and, of course the famous Saturday morning cartoons such as Buck Rogers and The Gang.
-
December 13, 2006
Children’s Hospital movie theater to become a reality
LOMA LINDA, CA — There is a new initiative to help build an in-hospital movie theater for young patients that need constant medical attention. The hospital has joined forces with Stater Bros' supermarkets and Proctor & Gamble to raise funds.
Stater Bros. Markets has teamed with Procter & Gamble to raise $100,000 for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in Loma Linda, California. The money, which was raised through in-store promotions held at all 162 Stater Bros. Supermarkets, will be used to create a unique movie theater for the young patients at the hospital.
At the check presentation ceremony, the future plans for the exciting Stater Bros. Movie Theater will be discussed. This theater will provide a place where young patients can leave the reality of fighting their illness far behind. The theater will also help the hospital attract more first-run screenings of movies, such as “Charlotte’s Web.” Going to public movie theaters is a pleasure many patients cannot enjoy due to the risk of infection.
To read more, go to Yahoo News.
-
November 17, 2006
Theater seats needed
We are a 501c.3, non-profit organization in Chicago, named for a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We’ve begun construction of a learning resource center for children, ages, 8-12 and have planned a 99-seat theater.
While we have new projection equipment and a screen donated, we also need 99 upholstered theater-style seats in good condition. We are willing to provide the freight cost and also a nameplate of the donor on our “Wall of Remembrance” which promises to be a most moving and inspiring place in our building.
We are only looking for a donation of good to excellent seats. If you are interested in helping us and obtaining a tax deduction, please call: Dave Mann, Executive Director at (800) 323-5357, ext. 4819 or via e-mail at Thank you.
-
November 1, 2006
Films at the Sedgwick takes Baby Steps
PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Sedgwick Theater, once the Sedgwick Cultural Center at 7137 Germantown Ave, is closed, except for the occational films.
I started showing films in the Sedgwick in July of 06. The Sedgwick was a beautiful building- Art Deco, built in 1928. It closed in the 60s and was bought up and divided, the theater space was cinderblocked off, and the remaining lobbies ignored. With the theater space able to seat over 1600 people, the former owners figured… hey, I could probably cut a good profit by stripping the theater down, and turning it into a storage facility.
And so it sat until the 1990s when it went back on the market and was bought by the current owners. They’re the ones who set up the Cultural Center, but as far as I can tell, the running cost of the building ran the non-profit into the ground.
So that brings me to Films at the Sedgwick. I started by showing some public domain films for free, trying to give the building a presence once again.
And now, I’ve come to a sort of crossroads. I need help. I can’t do this alone anymore all out of pocket. So with our sites set on the Sedgwick Theater, we’re thinking big and starting small. Next door I’m openning the Little Theater, the Sedgwick’s baby sister. And as of November, the Little Theater an intimate 25 seat theater will be a second-run theater, showing films every weekend.
What I need is Art Deco theater decor, A ticket booth, a sign/marquee, and I need to take this full time. In short, I need donations, investors, and lots of advice to start building the Sedgwick’s comeback.
Thank-you in advance for your help.
-David Titus
Director, Films at the Sedgwick
www.filmsatthesedgwick.com