NEW BANQUET HALL PROGRESS

The construction on the long awaited, as of yet unnamed 5,000 square foot reception center, next door to the Alabama, is scheduled to begin the first week in June. The architects have found a way to raise the roof so the room will be more elegant than was first planned. We still hope to have the room ready for fall and Christmas rentals by October.

ANNIVERSARIES

In 2007 the Alabama Theatre will celebrate two important anniversaries. First, the theatre opened on December 26, 1927, which makes the theatre 80 years old in 2007 Second, Birmingham Landmarks, Inc., purchased the Alabama Theatre on March 7, 1987 which marks the 20th anniversary of the ownership and reinvention of the theatre from a movie theater to a performing arts center.

It is hard to believe that 19 years has gone by from the day that 12 ordinary Birmingham citizens, who just wanted to save the Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, purchased the Alabama Theatre and turned it into a major entertainment facility, drawing more than 500,000 people downtown each year. Now, Birmingham Landmarks, Inc is debt free which is a really a good feeling.

HELP

Even though the theatre is debt free, there are still many things that need to be done to keep the theatre updated which will cost a considerable amount of money.

• Seat restoration: All but 800 seats have been restored and the restoration of the remaining seats will cost $75,000.
• Restroom expansion: Enlarging the ladies restroom will cost $100,000.
• Air Conditioning: The total air conditioning system needs to be upgraded. Cost $250,000.
• Back stage upgrade: The 9 stage-left dressing rooms were completely renovated two years ago including new air conditioning, new showers, new lighting, marble counters and ceramic tile floors. Now we need to complete the 6 stage-right dressing rooms, the same way. Cost $25,000.
• Marquee: The street message sign, installed in 1953, needs work. We would like to replace the old marquee faces, which have to be changed manually with a ladder and at least one person, with new electronic faces that can be changed with a computer, as so many other historic theatres are doing. Cost $85,000

With a theatre as busy as the Alabama, upgrading the physical plant is necessary and costly and, while we can fix anything that breaks, it is also costly because it is a band-aid approach to the problem. So when you have a dollar or two that you don't need, send it to the Alabama. It will be used and appreciated and remember, it is tax deductible.

Visit our website frequently at to find out what is happening at the Alabama Theatre.

See you at the Alabama….

We take Visa, Master Card or American Express and, of course, cash works real well. You can leave us funding in your will or you can contribute to our endowment fund, which will help provide for our future.

Your contributions are tax deductible, as provided by the IRS. We are a 501©3 non-profit organization.

If you have any suggestion please e-mail these to us at alatheatre@aol.com