Nicky Boyette – Jeff Danos, who has been chairing the Auditorium Committee since it was created by city council last winter, asked, “Where do we go from here?”
He announced at the July 14 meeting that Mayor Butch Berry wants to put a one percent tax on the November ballot, and a portion of the revenue would be dedicated to operations and maintenance of the historic downtown facility. This tax would address one of the major goals of the Auditorium Committee, which was to figure a way to provide a steady revenue stream and pave the way for re-creating an Auditorium Commission.
Danos wondered if it was time to re-create a Friends of the Auditorium support group to create ideas for performances or activities to re-energize locals, and Dori Thomas, events coordinator for the City Advertising and Promotion Commission, and alderman James DeVito agreed.
DeVito suggested the committee go on hold until after the election and the others agreed, but Thomas had ideas for the Aud in the meantime: On Wednesday, July 27, will be a showing of cult classic The Legend of Boggy Creek, which was filmed in southwest Arkansas. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the movie starts at 8 p.m. Thomas hopes to make the evening into an event with audience members in monster costumes and a Sasquatch call contest. Donations will be welcome.
If monthly movies were to continue, films mentioned included Legend of Boggy Creek 2, It’s Alive (filmed partly in Onyx Cave and around the area), Pass the Ammo (filmed in the area with locals in the cast), as well as movies for kids.
Thomas will make the appeal during the July 27 movie night for dedicated locals who want to make the Auditorium successful to volunteer for Friends of the Auditorium. This group will become “a think tank for programming,” she said, as well as the planners and supporting cast for activities. Thomas pointed out these shows need ushers, for example, and somebody must either find them or be one.
“Friends could be the place to process ideas from the public,” Danos added, “and encourage them to help, not just throw out ideas.” Thomas said the Auditorium Commission, if it were to be created again as they intend, would probably grow out of the structure of this group.
She also mentioned it is imperative they make it clear how much the town needs to support the effort to provide steady revenue to fix and operate the Auditorium and that there is programming for locals.
Down the road
Thomas will then follow up the first movie with an Open House potluck for the public Wednesday, August 3, at 6 p.m., an event to gather support for the Auditorium and identify possible Friends members. An informal poll will be taken for what movies the public wants to see.
The second movie would be Wednesday, August 24, if things go according to plan.
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Thomas is planning to celebrate the anniversary of the Auditorium’s first performance that featured John Philip Sousa. There will be scheduled tours of the building and Thomas expects it will be an opportunity to expand the Friends base.