Newsletter First Quarter 2009

HOLIDAY FILM SERIES A SUCCESS!

Big news. The holiday movies were successful once again and the theatre will end up with a good fourth quarter despite the economy.

The final attendance figures are not in yet, but the numbers look good, but not quite as good as we had hoped. For the second year in a row, we turned away people for National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation! We will probably show it two times next year.

THE HILL EVENT CENTER

Many things are happening at the new Hill Event Center as 2009 rolls in! We are awaiting the arrival of several paintings from the Birmingham Museum of Art, which will complete the upstairs lobby. All of the paintings featured will be the art work of local Alabama artists. The loft project on the upper floor of the Hill Event Center has begun and will soon become a rentable venue space. With over sized windows, hard wood floors and a future bar, the loft will certainly become a much-needed space for the downtown area. For more information on our upcoming projects, we will be sending out the Hill Event Center Newsletter soon. For more information, contact Holly Burrows or visit us online at www.hillartscenter.com

IMPROVEMENTS

THIRD FLOOR
The third floor of the Alabama Theatre office building has been used as a rehearsal hall for many groups using the theatre stage. This large 3,500 square-foot room was originally Loveman’s Department Store's lay-away room. It will now be our new Loft Meeting Room, suitable for meetings, parties, and other events associated with the theatre or the banquet hall. With its large windows and tall ceilings, this will be a nice addition. This room will be booked by Holly Burrow, Director of The Hill Event Center, 205-252-2262, ext. 118.

BACK STAGE
We are always trying to improve the theatre, and this past year we finally completed the back stage dressing room renovations. These upgrades included new tile floors, paint on the walls, plumbing fixes, new showers and lavatories, and most importantly toilets! So, not only do all 15 dressing rooms look good, they all work well. A special thanks to the many foundations and contributions for the funding to complete this badly needed project.

FORTH FLOOR EXPANSION
The top or fourth floor of the Alabama Theatre Building had been used for storage for many years. This will be our new rehearsal hall when completed.

BIGGEST NEWS OF ALL
If you have been to a large event at the Alabama Theatre you know that intermission can be a real problem with long lines of ladies waiting impatiently to visit the restrooms on the lower or upper level. Soon we will expand our ladies facilities from 8 to 18 which should help tremendously and, at the same time, expand our permanent bars from three to five. This should make the intermission less stressful for the ladies waiting to go and the men waiting to buy. All of these improvements are scheduled to be completed in September of 2009. All of the new rooms will have access to and from the theatre.

ORGAN CONVENTION

The organization that maintains The Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ is a chapter of the national organization, The American Theatre Organ Society, ATOS, and they will host a National Convention in November, bringing over 200 organ enthusiasts and their families, from all over the country and Canada to Birmingham to see the Alabama Theatre and to hear our famous Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, Big Bertha. This three day event will bring some of the finest theatre organists in the country to play our Wurlitzer and at least one to these events will be open to the public. This will be a one of a kind event.

NEW FILM SERIES IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH

As we try to show films that appeal to everyone we have decided to feature films of the 80’s in February. Not only will we show the films, we will turn our new banquet hall into a 80's music lounge, with music and disco balls. Films will be at 8 PM on five Thursday nights in February and March and the disco parties will start at 6:00 in the banquet hall.

• Feb. 12 - The Breakfast Club
• Feb. 19 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
• Mar. 26 - St. Elmo's Fire
• Mar. 5 - Sixteen Candles
• Mar. 12 - Dirty Dancing

USHERS

We always need ushers to assist us with the large, reserved seat shows. We use volunteers but your pay is seeing the event free, and getting a free soft drink and popcorn (for events where popcorn is served. Please call the Alabama Theatre office at 205-252-2262.

HELP THE ALABAMA THEATRE - SPONSOR A SEAT

One way to help he Alabama Theatre is to sponsor a theatre seat for $250 and we will place your name or the name of someone you may wish to honor on a brass plate on the arm of the seat. All proceeds from this program will go to the Alabama Theatre general fund and you can receive a tax deduction.

SUMMER FILMS SERIES 2009

We want to know what you would to see this summer. Please do not suggest Gone with the Wind, it is on the schedule every summer. On the Sunday prior to the start of the series in June, we will have an open house and have drawings for passes to the entire film series. We are working on the 2009 summer films series and we need your input. Let us know at AlaTheatre@aol.com.

The 2008 Christmas Open House was a success as many people toured the new Hill Event Center on December 7. Thanks to all of those who participated and visited the Hill Event Center, Alabama Theatre and the Lyric Theatre. To see pictures of this event or many others, visit our website at www.hillartscenter.com