Capitol Theatre, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

November 10, 2007 - This came from my friend Michele Mainwaring, please take the time to read, sign the petition and even grab a lawn sign :)

CAPITOL THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE (WINDSOR)

The Citizens for the Capitol Theatre Committee (CCT) supports The Newly Elected Interim Board of Directors of the Capitol Theatre

For immediate release: The Citizens for the Capitol Theatre Committee (CCT) supports the newly elected interim Executive Board of Directors of the Capitol Theatre in their attempt to bring forward a speedy resolution to those issues regarding the bankruptcy of the Capitol Theatre. We are concerned about the elongated period of inactivity in the theatre and the deleterious effects on this historic structure, especially with winter approaching. We strongly urge all parties involved to work swiftly towards a solution to re-open the doors of the Capitol Theatre.The people of Windsor - Essex County have worked so hard & contributed a great deal of support with their time, money and ticket purchases.It is a valuable community resource and it fits the city's master plan. We are requesting community support by the signing of our online petition available at: www.citizensforthecapitol.org

Lawn signs with the message: "Re-Open the Capitol Theatre!" are available to show your support. To request a lawn sign please go to citizensforthecapitol.org (Many thanks to Pat Kelly of Pat Kelly Signs for donating his time, labour and ink and EM Plastic for the sign material and wire stakes.)Lastly, the CCT urges the citizens of Windsor to call their ward councilors, MP's and MPP's to show their support of this worthy cause at this crucial point in time.

Any and all questions relating to this matter should bedirected to:
Michelle J. MainwaringCo-Chair Citizens for the Capitol Theatre (CCT)
(519)727-4785info@mjmcomedy.com &
Elaine WeeksCo-Chair Citizens for the Capitol Theatre (CCT)
(519)255-9898www.citizensforthecapitol.org

CCT Committee Michelle Mainwaring, Artistic Director, MJM Entertainment (Co-chair)
Elaine Weeks, Managing Editor, Walkerville Publishing (Co-chair)
Sergio Forest, General Manager, Suitcase in Point Theatre Company (Secretary)
Leslie McCurdy, Professional Actress and
Citizen Howard Weeks, Professional Photographer, I.N. Group,
Pro Shots Kim Elliott, President,
ACWR Steering Committee Suzanne Konyha,
ACWR Board of Directors, Art Educator, Artist Charlotte Lefrank, Community Facilitator & Actress
Bruce Jameison, Musician, Concerned Citizen & Activist
Lee Gaul, Musician, Concerned "

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Les Miserables moved to CAPITOL THEATRE by Theatre Intrigue - Sept 21-30, 2007

As this was a recent move, I do not think the dates are right for this wonderful play. The news said it will run for 3 weeks at the Capitol Theatre which runs into October. The site has not been updated except for the fact that Les Miserables has been moved to the Capitol Theatre.

Please check back with http://www.theatreintrigue.ca/ for date changes.

All Walkerville tickets will be honored at the Capitol Theatre :)

Come on down and support Theatre Intrigue :) Let's all get it to open the Capitol once again :)

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The Citizens for the Capitol Theatre is a new group that is trying to save the beautiful Capitol Theatre from being abandoned. Please take the time to sign the petition to keep the Capitol Theatre alive :)

 To keep informed on what is going on please check out;

http://www.citizensforthecapitol.org/

Don't forget to sign the petition :)

It was a sad day in Windsor on March14/07 as the beautiful Capitol Theatre was forced to declare bankruptcy. The city of Windsor had first said they would give the financially strapped Capitol Theatre $65,000 until June when the goverment grant would then become available. The mayor then said "no money". Now the city which owns the land and the lease will take over the building after the bankruptcy lawyers dispose of the assets and pay off the whopping $140,000 they were in debt. Business claim bankruptcy when they are millions in debt and the Capitol Theatre was ONLY $140,000 in debt. They had also cancelled over 40 pre-booked shows.

 It will be interesting to see what the city does with this beautiful property. Jope fully they will maintain it as a theatre and not just make it their new "Social Group Club".

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The Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre is a unique performing arts venue, and an important contributor to Windsor's arts and cultural community. It is our goal to bring theatrical entertainment to our community at a reasonable price so all can learn to appreciate and enjoy music, dance, comedy, and more.

We are a completely self-funded registered charitable public trust, and are self-supported by way of our corporate sponsorships, private donations, leaseholds, ticket sales, bingos, and special fundraising events.

The Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre is in partnership with many local arts and cultural organizations as part of our regular operations. Partnerships with many local organizations and media include the Windsor Federation Of Musicians, Irish Club, Canada South Festival Network, various dance academies and groups, CJAM 91.5 university radio, City Centre Business Association, local Rotaries, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and Arts Council Windsor and Region, etc.

The Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre is a completely self-funded registered charitable public trust. We are self-supporting by way of our corporate sponsorships, private donations, leaseholds, ticket sales, bingos and special fundraising events.

The Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre is a community based organization with an historical multi-purpose facility, committed to providing a quality environment focused on the needs and development of the artistic, entertainment, educational and business communities.

• To foster a supportive and empowering environment which will be known nationally for enabling excellence in the performing arts.
• To play a leadership role in fostering artistic excellence in all of the performing arts disciplines.
• To develop the performing arts and music in the region.
• To play a role in the development of theatre performers, artisans and musicians.
• Commitment to showcasing emerging talent.
• To promote the development of young patrons and encourage the exploration of creativity as a key element in a healthy community.
• To provide opportunities for young Canadian artists to develop their craft and to showcase their work on a regional, provincial and national level.
• To create and produce professional/semi-professional theatre and make it accessible with a view to entertain, to educate and challenge. In pursuit of this we will focus on the following areas:
  • Produce theatre of the highest standard of excellence and provide theatregoers with varied theatrical experiences.
  • Be in a dynamic interactive relationship with our audience and community through live theatre and community outreach activities.
  • Take the risks associated with the arts form and technology

1. To encourage the appreciation of artistic expression, creative development and to encourage a community interaction through the provision of programming for community based, National and International performing arts for the benefit of the general public
2. To promote an interest in the performing and related arts for the benefit of the general public
3. To establish and provide programmes, education, drama, art, music, dance, theatre, film, and recreation for the benefit of the general public
4. To produce and present live performance for the benefit of the general public
5. To educate individuals and organizations about Canadian performing arts, artists and plays

• The Capitol currently owns and operates a historic multi-purpose venue with three theatres: the Pentastar Playhouse, which seats 696, the Daniel Patrick Kelly Theatre, which seats 235, and the Joy Family Theatre, which is a multi-purpose cabaret style theatre which seats 130.
• The Capitol administers approximately 235 events within the venue annually.
• The Capitol houses, and is in partnership with, an audio engineering and recording studio.
• The Capitol has second floor and storefront rental units/studios, which it leases to primarily cultural and community social service groups, such as Artcite Gallery (an artist run gallery), The Music Studio, House of Toast Video Collective, Downtown Yoga Studio, Tranquil Planet, etc.
• The Capitol presents and co-presents touring professional Canadian and International artists.
• The Capitol provides our facilities, box-office services, technical expertise, event marketing services, graphic design, promotion and advertising placements, event administrative and fundraising support to venue renters.
• The Capitol subsidizes its venue for non-profit community renters and tenants.
• The Capitol collects and distributes event marketing, media lists and patron data and demographic information for the resource of its users.
• The Capitol provides box-office/ticketing services for community events not at the venue through Ticket Windsor.
• The Capitol developed and administers a Talent Bank for the benefit and use of the community. Currently 650 performing and visual artists, musicians and technical production personnel have registered.
• The Capitol acts as an agent and consultant for contracting artists on behalf of artists and event planners, in order to ensure both artist and promoter are protected.
• The Capitol organized the Annual Windsor Celtic Festival held Father's Day weekend, an off-site event that attracts 10,000 patrons.
• The Capitol organizes an annual Celebrity Benefit Roast, which is our primary special fundraising gala event.
• The Capitol promotes and administers the exhibition and sales of art works by regional visual artists, within the venue lobbies and Joy Family Theatre space throughout the year.
• The Capitol organizes networking events for the local artistic community in order to ensure the establishment of a healthy co-operative environment, support for each other and identification of opportunities.
• The Capitol has the capability to and has presented Windsor's first live Internet simulcast concert and press conferences.
• The Capitol offers set pieces, props and technical equipment for rent.
• The Capitol offers audio and lighting design services to the community.
• The Capitol provides educational workshops for the theatrical community and our patrons.
• The Capitol initiates and co-ordinates mutual marketing opportunities for the cultural community by way of ad exchanges, joint brochures and co-operative group purchasing etc. such as the City Centre Live Arts Calendar.
• The Capitol produces "Sessions", a monthly live recording session of local artists, intended to help develop community artists' and musical groups' experience and careers in the music industry. At the end of each year a compilation CD featuring the artists who performed is released to the public for sale and distributed to community radio stations.
• The Capitol is home to the Windsor & Region Walk of Fame, which recognizes a person past or present, who has made a significant contribution towards the social, athletic, economic, artistic or cultural life in the City of Windsor and Region. The Capitol administers the Walk, the committees, star designations, sponsorships and the Annual Gala where newly installed Stars are unveiled.
• The Capitol co-produces/co-presents events and productions with local arts organizations, social service agencies and the business community.
• The Capitol is also home to the Capitol Repertory Players. To date, we have produced 22 professional and semi-professional theatrical productions for the benefit of the community.

The Capitol Theatre is actively involved in networking opportunities with other arts presenters.

The Capitol Theatre is a member of Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA), provincial block booking association Community Cultural Impresarios (CCI), Michigan Presenters Network, Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology (CITT), United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT), Board Secretary for the Windsor Festival Network, a member of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and Festival and Events Ontario.