Grand Rapids Community Media Center

• about
• volunteer
• television
• radio
• wealthy theatre
• education
• media literacy
• npo services

• Event Spotlight
• Ticketing and Box Office
• From the Theatre Director
• Scheduled Events & Available Dates
• Reserve a Venue
• Mailing List
• Theatre History
• Theatre Staff
• Facilities & Specs
• Map & Directions
• Contact Us

From the Theatre Director

Wealthy Theatre and CMC have taken a big first step inspired in part by Mayor George Heartwell's "Green Grand Rapids" initiative: tonight we premiere the END of bottled water!  It's not a movie, it's a new way of serving H2O! 

Beginning with the 8PM Tuesday night showing of the movie "Gremlins" ($3.50) we'll be offering filtered water in biodegradable cups, for just $0.50.  This is $1 less than bottled water and hugely less expensive for the environment. Over the past year, we've learned "there a better way" from our friends at West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) and from the producers of "Water Fest" (who have a pre-Fest fundraiser at Wealthy Theatre in January.)

This year we put together a list of projects we're moving forward on, to revolutionize Wealthy Theatre as a national leader in the responsible use of energy and resources.  The changeover from plastic water bottles (which are harmful to the body and the environment) to carbon-filtered water is an important first step. 

Not only will the water you drink be filtered - so will the ice cubes and the water used to carbonate our soft drinks. This was an investment by CMC for the benefit of our patrons, and our planet.  Made possible by funds from our successful Capital Campaign, which we completed last year.

So come see "Gremlins" tonight (8PM - just $3.50) and enjoy a 16oz. cup of guilt-free, impurity-free, delicious H2O.

Cheers,

Wealthy Theatre Staff & CMC

Wednesday at 7PM we're featuring a candidate forum between Robert Dean and Dan Tietema, at Wealthy Theatre, sponsored by the Center For Michigan.  All are welcome, regardless of party affiliation (or lack thereof) and the event is free to all. 

Dark Side of Oz - Walkies Poster!

The monthly Wealthy Theatre series, "New Talent Night," will enjoy its half-year anniversary on September 27.  The series is moving to a new time slot (6PM) two hours earlier than the previous start time.

"This time slot is a response to the continued growth of this series, which has evolved into a hybrid between 'American Idol' and 'Evening at the Apollo,' said Theatre Director Erin Wilson.  "We've added local celebrity judges, audience participation and voting, children's performances, more categories and a slick multimedia presentation.

"The audience has grown with the series - we have families, seniors and younger children attending alongside the kids in their late teens, who've been with us from the start."

The series features competitive dance, vocal and hip-hop performances - along with the occasional folk singer, comedian, and "in August we had a young boy play an electric guitar solo from a U2 song, which is an ambitious thing!" Wilson said.

Auditions are open to the public and take place Saturdays at 3PM at Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy SE.  Please check the online calendar for dates (wealthytheatre.org).

Co-Sponsor Pure Harmony Entertainment (website)

External Link to Naeink's Winning Performance

You could call it the Wealthy Theatre neighborhood. Grand Rapids' answer to the Apollo, the iconic local theater has embodied the revival of one of the region's hippest neighborhoods and the growth of the local urban music scene.

Rapid Growth Media Video Segment

Poster by Luisa for "Wet Hot American Summer"

Internet Archive profile for Wealthy Theatre

This year's LHAT conference is being conducted at a hotel across the street from Atlanta's Fox Theatr ("The Fabulous Fox") which is one of the most storied historic theatres in North America.  Its interior has a starry blue ceiling with "clouds" that actually wisp across, a pipe organ that's bigger than Wealthy Theatre's studio spaces, and amazingly intricate Moorish architecture.  

But ask anyone who lives here what they consider the most invaluable part of The Fox, and they'll tell you the name of the man who rescued the place: Joe Patten.

The theatre fell into disrepair at the end of the 20th Century, not unlike our own Wealthy Theatre.  In a misfortunate turn of events, Southern Bell attempted to purchase the 4,500 facility, in order to raze it and replace it with corporate offices.  I know it's hard to imagine... a telecommunications behemoth trying to destroy a community icon for its own gain.  

There are similarities between the restoration of the Fox, and the rescue of Wealthy Theatre by the Southeast Economic Development (SEED) organization.  Each involved an effort by the people with the support of the city, that brought back a gorgeous jewel of a venue.  

Joe lives in a gorgeous residence that is part of The Fox -- he's the only resident.  The city of Atlanta gave him a lifetime lease.  We got to see the whole spread and it's almost beyond description.  

More updates to follow, about the sessions and workshops... including some emergency breakout sessions about a late effort by Google to purchase UHF frequencies - so called "white spaces" -that would make all of Wealthy Theatre's wireless equipment (microphones, instruments, video, etc.) completely useless.  Along with every other theatre, church and convention center in the United States...

Greetings from Atlanta!  

Community Media Center (CMC) has a presence this year at the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) Conference 2008.  The conference is taking place at the Georgia Terrace hotel, which -- like Wealthy Theatre -- had its cornerstone laid in 1911.

The Georgia Terrace hotel is directly across the street from the historic Fox Theatre, which is one of the most amazing venues in the world (capacity 4,500) with a "saved from the wrecking ball" story reminiscent of Wealthy Theatre's.

LHAT is a huge organization with members across the country and beyond.  This conference is a really big deal... with members, state representatives, board members and a lot of vendors and exhibitors on hand.  Really well put together and very fast-paced.  Later this afternoon, there is a breakout session on "Green Theatres," which is very timely for us!

On behalf of CMC and Wealthy Theatre, I was asked to present on several topics, including a session this morning titled "Engaging Your Community."  The room was full and we had an excellent session!

Talking about what goes on at Wealthy Theatre... quickly makes one realize how interesting a given day is, for us.  My discussion went ten minutes over and I felt like we could have been there all morning.  

The president of LHAT was in the front row, next a member of the LHAT Board of Directors. 

I'll be posting pictures of our tour of the Fox Theatre later tonight or tomorrow.  I got to meet a legend in Atlanta, the man who rescued the Fox (and lives there!)  More to follow...

Cheers,

Erin

League of Historic American Theatres (website)

Get older news items 11-21 out of 25 total.

This page requires authentication.