Winter 2007-2008 Newsletter
EXCITING NEWS
Even though the construction of the new banquet hall is running 2 months behind schedule we can see the progress from the street, the new elevator shaft topped out just before thanksgiving. We don’t have an elevator yet but we have a shaft. The elevator installation will start by the middle of November and the elevator should be operational by the middle of December. After the elevator is completed the cosmetic treatment of the banquet hall interior will take place and we should have the new banquet hall open and running by the middle of February. After the Banquet hall is completed we will start work on the remaining phase of the Hill Arts Center, the forth floor meeting room and the fifth floor rehearsal hall, this will take place as funding is available.
HOLIDAY FILMS
Our 2007 Holiday film schedule is listed below; we will be showing off our new 20 ft Christmas tree with 4000 lights.
Special Saturday Triple Feature Matinee
December 15, 2pm
- Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
- Frosty The Snowman (1969)
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
White Christmas (1954)
- Saturday, December 15, 7pm
- Sunday, December 16, 2pm
- Saturday, December 22, 7pm
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
- Tuesday, December 18, 7pm
- Wednesday, December 19, 7pm
A Christmas Story (1983)
- Thursday, December 20, 7pm
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Special Saturday Triple Feature Matinee
December 22, 2pm
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
- Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
- Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (1970)
NEW BALCONY SEATS
January 2, 2008 the theatre will closed for 2 weeks for some much needed maintenance; at that time Irwin seating will install new seating in the balcony which will complete our seating program, just think 2300 new theatre seats, and 1100 of them are stadium seats.
FUND RAISING
We are presently raising funds for dressing room up grades, including air conditioning and remodeling the green room area beneath the stage. If we raise enough money we will purchase new drapes for the lobby which are badly needed, the 12 year old drapes are worn and pulled back which makes then look older than they really are, the lobby will look better once this improvement is completed.
One of the things we need badly is more ladies restrooms we have the space to add 24 more ladies facilities which will help speed up the intermissions during the live shows, this improvement will cost over $100,000.
Last but not least is 1684 yards of high grade wool carpet, we purchased the theatre in 1987 and since then we have purchased carpet for the stairways the main floor and mezzine level, we would like to re-carpet the entire theatre so the peacock alley carpet, from the old Roebuck Plaza theatre which was installed in the 60’s and the upper tunnel level carpet, which was installed in 1927, which makes it 80 years old could be changed out and the entire theatre could have carpet that matches.
CHRISTMAS GIFT
If you would like to send a Christmas gift to assist us with any of these projects you can mail your tax deductible check or bring it by The Alabama Theatre, 1817 3rd Ave North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, during regular office hours. You can also make you contribution by credit card; by calling the theatre office, 205-252-2262.
BIRTHDAY
The Alabama Theatre will be 80 years old on December 26 of this year so remember if you send us a contribution before the end of the year you can take it off of your taxes this year, and remember we will take anything, that we can turn into money, The Alabama Theatre is a 501©3 non-profit organization, and your help is needed.
FILM VERSES VIDEO
There has been much discussion concerning video projection in theatres, most theatres have already converted or are making plans to change to video, and the Alabama Theatre is no different, while we have a good set of film projectors in our booth we also have a new hi-def video projector installed, but we want everyone to know that as long as we can obtain film we will not use the video. The management of the Alabama Theatre is dedicated to the exhibition of film, the only difference is video has no splices, no scratches, and no sound problems, but it is still video.
SUMMER MOVIES
We will be thinking about our 2008 summer movies in January 2008 and we need suggestions, on our web site is a place to make your suggestions, and we welcome your input.
WE WISH HAPPY HOLIDAYS FOR YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY