Capitol Theatre Rally

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• just one more voice in support of the capitol, and thanks to all in this blog who have gone before -- particularly all who have had positive, visionary things to say about this issue.

• Michelle, I would be very surprised and disturbed if this time next year you weren't still performing at the Capitol. It "would" be irresponsible of the city if they just let the "ball drop" and let the Capitol close for good. For some reason I think there are things that we aren't being told about the facility. I'm curious what other plans are in the works.

• P.S.

  Michelle, if you do get a hold of the PM, I've got a few other issues I wouldn't mind discussing. It took me 45 minutes to cross the border this morning to take my kids to the Detroit Zoo.

• Many more questions must be asked of the Capitol Theatre situation. As several of us have continually argued in the past few years, the Capitol Theatre needs some serious examination, regardless of by who or how the alleged current funding crisis is resolved. Think beyond the former manager and look to the Board of Directors. And as Elaine Weeks has asked, where is the money? A forensic audit I believe is still in order. It is in the interest of all of us, to in some ways see the wisdom of city council in holding off. Why should they give municipal dollars to a group of people who have mismanaged, mislaid, and mistreated the money we have already given them? Until the questions raised in the past are answered, I don’t think we should trust this Board with anything! The fight for the Capitol is a complex one. On one hand I believe that municipalities absolutely should fund the arts and therefore the City of Windsor should allocate spending on the Capitol Theatre and that is an initiative we should all be behind. At the same time, we need to call for the resignation or firing of the Board or the Capitol will continue to function as something other than an arts centre. We need transparency, honesty and passion for the arts, not greed and deceipt.

• That's what I am hoping city hall is trying to accomplish by not bailing out the Capitol with a simple handout, Jane. Giving the current board more money would be like paying off a credit card abuser's balance then giving him or new a new Visa card. Because if this institution is as successful as some of its proponents claim it is, then indeed - where is the revenues?? Maybe a new board of directors will govern it more responsibly and it won't be in this mess again in another few years.

  For all that I have said, I am not in favour of its closing. I am in favour of a responsible solution to this mess, not a solution that will buy another six months until the next financial crisis comes around.

• Demetri:
  I will surely let the PM know about your long delay should I hear back, and I absolutely agree with you about the idea that we are not being told all that is going on from both sides.

  Jane and John:
  I agree with you as well, there must be some accountiblility. The main thing the arts community is trying to avoid is bankruptcy and the sale of the assests. Jay's post had a lot of pertinent facts about trying to recoup what was lost in London and Chatham. We should learn from their mistakes.
  Once there is money in place to avoid bankruptcy, let the fundraising begin. Start with a fresh new board with innovative ideas and artistic knowledge as Demetri had said in his early posting.

  What saddens me most is what will be left for my son to cherish if we lose this gem.. Yesterday he asked me why I was sad and I explained about the possible closure of the Capitol. He said "Mommy, you do shows at the Capitol that make people happy, don't you?" I replied "Yes honey, I do" His response was "Well they can't close the Capitol mommy because when I grow up, I want to do shows there that make people happy too!" My son is only three years old....out of the mouths of babes.

• I am an entertainer with a BA Degree in the Arts. I have played many different venues over the years but never had the opportunity to expirience the Capital until recently. My Husband played the Elvis Birthday Bash in January and being his manager, I was allowed to walk him through the show there. I can tell you that whether it was the professional decor, the wonderful accoustics or perhaps the spirits of the artists that came before us, the Capital Theatre is magical for any who had the great pleasure to perform there and for all those who came to enjoy the shows. Shame on us for letting it die. Windsor Elvis and I support the cause and the fight for it's survival!

• I hope I'm not treading into shark filled waters here but... what about Theatre Windsor.... they seem to be doing well after almost twenty years there on Ottawa street, not aware of any financial difficulties. How about the University Players, they also have some really popular plays. Theatre Alive? Windsor Light Opera still around? Has anyone thought about a coalition between the different performing arts groups in the area that could be rolled into one BIG group and have a board of directors elected by and accountable to same? Can this be done without politics bringing the house down?

• John,
  Shark filled waters....that's what we feel like we are in now...lol.
  Just to clarify, Theatre Windsor has only been on Ottawa street for approx. 7 or 8 years. Before that they were on Seminole for the majority of their existence. I used to be a member there for 7 years. The thing with Theatre Windsor is they have a smaller venue (only 120 seats approx.) They have far less overhead and a lawyer as predsident who has done a great job managing the pennies. Theatre Alive has not responded to any emails nor have I seen anyone out in support (in fairness, I heard there was some illness, but surely a representative could have been present). The unfortunate part of a coalition, in my opinion, would be that there would be too many chefs in the kitchen if you know what I mean.
  We have been joining forces with other local groups that depended on the Capitol for their main venue, and there are plenty of them who would gladly band together for the greater good.

• Here’s a rough list of the Capitol’s Board… This information is not exactly “available”, so please correct or add names to this if there are any errors or omissions. These are some of the players in this drama who, for some reason, don’t seem to be making the marquee:

  • Ed Agnew
  • Casimir McGeown
  • Eleanor Piotrowski
  • Phil Haddad
  • Peggy Kainz
  • Darlene Horn
  • Joe Ouellette

  Additional affiliated names include Tom Lynd (acting GM), Marwan Taqtaq, Mike Angileri, David Nevin, John Funnel (President, resigned), Mike Celech (Treasurer, resigned).