Yesterday evening, I slipped over to the Capitol Theatre to check out the “Save the Capitol” rally. What a great job by the local arts community to rally the troops and mobilize within 24 hours to stage a rally to show support for the Capitol Theatre which is on the brink of bankruptcy. City council refused to grant them a $60,000 loan to keep them afloat.
No money for the arts, but they have $35,000 to spend on catered meals at City Hall (Toronto with 20 times the population of Windsor spent $20,000 last year on their catering budget, go figure!), $600,000 to spend on the crappy Peace Beacon on the riverfront, $65,000,000! on the new arena.
When I arrived on the scene the media was already present and reporting.
Local businessman Chris Edwards of the Walkerville Times was present. Surprisingly NO city councilors were present. Not even Ron Jones or Caroline Postma, the ward two councilors where the Capitol resides could bother to show up.
The lack of Council or any elected officials to show up to the rally, really spoke volumes about how this council prioritizes Downtown and the Arts Community.
The rally was well attended by both citizens young and old, as well as prominent city businessmen (I spied Chris Edwards as well as Larry Horowitz and others in the crowd.), as well as the media.
Hopefully this council will take some action and help make the city a better place to live. Highly unlikely. Too bad we can’t recall the McMansion Mayor.
I don’t want to seem ignorant but the capitol seems to be a money loosing venture. The capitol board of directors have obviously been failing at attracting good venue’s that customers would pay to see. So why should the taxpayer’s(myself) be responsible for the mismanagement of a business. Even if the city gave them the $65,000 I’ve read it would only keep them afloat for a few more month’s. Why bother?
Maybe it’s time to clean up the incompetant management or sell it to someone who can operate it with a profit.
Guido, No problem, I see your point of view but a public theatre is a cultural asset that makes Windsor a better place to live. No doubt there is some SERIOIUS mismanagement going on there. Everyone needs to be fired and they need to start again. Also I agree that the shows they put on, generally don’t attract me either. However leave the Spitfires where they are and don’t waste my 65 million to build an area on the deep east side. I never go to the east side. We subsidized the Cleary (prior to the recent sale) to the tune of $1 million tax dollars a year, how about the Daimler Chrysler Building? Shit they spent $35k on food for 57 meetings!
There is so much waste and graft in this city with its funding, it makes my head spin. I would rather my tax dollars went to subsidize the Capitol rather than any think I mentionned above. For the record I haven’t been to a show there in probably 5 or 6 years, so It’s not like I have a bias to the events put on there.
Wait until DCX dumps Chrysler and the new owner spikes the Canadian HQ and we have 6 more empty floors a 1 Riverside W.
I totally agree the arena is a large waste of money. When all is said and done I’m willing to bet that the price tag will not be less than $75 million. This will also be a money loosing operation and guess who is going to be stuck subsidizing it. We can use a nice arena but I don’t believe it needs to be as large a scale as they are planning.
Andrew, I would not only like to echo Guido’s sentiments but also point out that – unless I missed something – the Capitol has not organized so much as a pasta supper or bake sale to raise funds in their 11th hour. Their hand is outstretched but aside from chanting slogons and carrying signs, what initiative have they shown to indicate the city investing in their organization is money well spent. Now you brought up other examples of fiscal waste, and I agree wholeheartedly that they are all very good examples of the city pouring money into the gutter, but as the old addage goes, two (or three or four or five) wrongs don’t make a right. As far as I’m concerned, most facets of our community need to be more self-supporting, particularly those in the arena of arts, sports, and recreation, while more attention should be focused on things like, say…. basic infrastructure. We’ve all heard stories about our crappy roads, for example. Recently the city turned down even Brentwood for the paltry sum of a few thousand dollars, and one would think if anyone deserves a helping hand it’s them.
Anyhow, I do agree that the Capitol is a “cultural asset” but as even you pointed out, the shows there have limited appeal. It attracts a certain niche group of people who have an appreciation for this form of art, and there has to be a limit to how much the city should have to spend on something that benefits so few in comparison to other services.
One thing that would truly upset me is seeing the structure itself fall into the wrong hands. Architecturally, they’ve done a wonderful job maintaining that building and I’d hate to see it fall into the wrong hands. But then again I love all the old buildings around the city. Maybe I’m in a small percentage too (maybe not here but speaking in-general).
The need for a new arena is debatable at best, although the biggest fiasco of the whole process is the location. The Mayor claims downtown revitailization is a priority, yet he pulls the arena to the far east side, and stands by as the Capitol teeters on the verge of closing.
I live very near to downtown, and I would love to be able to go downtown and actually shop for everyday products.
I spent a week in Windsor’s twin city of St. Etienne, France last fall, and I left there very depressed. Although slightly smaller St. Etienne is vastly superior to Windsor in everyway. They even still have streetcars.
I agree with that, the city needs that new arena like it needs a hole in the head. But be thankful you aren’t a Tecumseh ratepayer. Those guys are in for a harder fall on that account than we will be.
As for downtown, its days as a retail hub are long gone. Walmart killed the fatted calf – that of course being the ” Min. 20 percent over MSRP” pricing rule enjoyed. But even though you will have to go to the mall to shop, I don’t think downtown is dead or dying. It is still a goldmine of entertainment and dining venues – venues I might add also that are maturing. Not just kiddie bars anymore. For example, how many coffee houses did we have downtown twenty years ago? It was a tossup between the Coffee Exchange and the Second Cup. Now there are a dozen. There are actually places an adult not looking for a one night stand can go and relax for a few hours. Spent some time last night listening to Huladog at the old fish market – which was just a great time in a grand old building. You’ve got the Palace if you want to go to a show. Lots of great restaurants for a great meal – everything from the ordinary (McDonalds) to the extraordinary (LaGuardia) and lots in-between. And even a little bit of shopping if you can afford to go into Shanfields. 😉
Dare I say it, but I think the greatest thing our downtown has going against it is all the pessimism by its closest allies. If we want to get people downtown, it needs to be pumped up. Even if it has a few warts we’re ashamed of. That will correct itself once some business is infused there. But right now why would anyone who hasn’t been downtown in years bother to go after what gets written in many of the local blogs. Don’t take this the wrong way Andrew, it’s not aimed at you, just a general statement regarding the general comments I see about downtown when subjects such as the Capitol come up.
Guido, if you’ve been to any of the City Council meetings, the Capitol has been selling out shows. The trouble has been the bingo funding. I agree with you about the management though. But try to think years ahead instead of months. The city needs a theatre like this. A lot more goes on there than the shows the Capitol advertises. Like Media City, many small plays for children and other events. Including the Windsor Film Festival.
John, right you are. I guess it comes with living downtown. After a while this city and all the grandiose schemes, can just wear someone down.
With that being said, other cities manage to keep retail in the core to some extent. while no beating around the bush, we haven’t. While yes there are lots of restaurants and bars, there’s not much to entertain the average visitor. Over the last five or six year, downtown had not improved, and I think the demolitoin of the Norwich Block had a lot to do with that. That block contained occupied businesses, deli’s, coffee shops (you forgot the Tres Beans Cafe), and book stores. It also had restaurants, bars and an arcade. That block while maybe a little seedy, was a great cross section of the downtown. Retail and entertainment all rolled into one. It was a vibrant block, that spread it occupancy into the surrounding area.
Evicting those tennants and busineses was the begining of the end IMO. Of all the businesses in the block, very few reopened downtown. That left a gaping wound in downtown.
As much as I love the city, downtown really hold little for average Windsorite.
The Capitol has serious problems, there’s no denying that, however the city cannot affor dto allow it to close. There are enough things that have dissapeared over the years to decrease that make Windsor a livable city.
The riverfront trail is not the defining be all and end all of what defines a city.
Eddie Francis is looking like a collosal failure as mayor in his second term so far. Downtown will be a boarded up ghostdown by the time his term is up. I hear rumors he has aspirations to run provincially or federally for the Conservatives. The sooner he bails on us, the better. Too bad Dr. David Wonham ran such an inept campaign, we were left with no viable option. Despte that fact he still drew almost 18% of the vote, a large amount in protest to mayor Eddie.
While we talk about waste, the amount of cash wasted on being a “partner” with Detroit for the WWF wrestling? $60,000 USD. That’s on top of the $250,000 US that we spend to be a Superbowl “partner”. $310,000 US spent on what? How did we as residents benefit? I bet that $300k+ would go a long way to keep the Capitol running.
While we could argue all day about what merits spending tax dollars on, there is no doubt that a lot of money is spent in this city on needless/wasteful things.
I say keep the Capitol alive, but review all the slaries of the staff that work there. There needs without doubt to be a major overhaul/housecleaing in there.
Andrew:
Great photos- it was really good to see you come out yesterday.
The Capitol has been mismanaged, there have been a lot fo pigs at the trough in the past.
Overhaul is required, but we absolutely must save this gem..
As one of the organziers and participants in the rally yesterday to save the Capitol, I would like to add a few insights. I am not an employee of the Capitol, nor were the other 3 organizers of this event, but we all have a strong connection to the theatre, either as performers, theatre directors, patrons or in a tenant capacity.
The purpose of the rally (which was organized in just 24 hours and saw over 100 supporters turn out on a very cold evening) was to demonstrate how much the Capitol means to the people of this city and to downtown. We had hoped to coincide with the Mayor’s Looking Forward: Windsor’s Future in a Changing World event scheduled at the Capitol for the same night. We wanted to accentuate the irony of having an event like this, which was to explore the importance of promoting cutlture in Windsor, at the Capitol, one day before it was to close in part because the city has not made the Capitol one of its priorities. The city got wind of the rally and cancelled the event the night before; the official explanation being that there were not enough tickets sales, which is not true.
In terms of the type of shows that have been held at the Capitol over the years, i have been to many of them, (as well as performed in three) and I have always thoroughly enjoyed them. Most of the time, there were full houses. I have seen everything from outstanding jazz shows, breathtaking African dancers, incredible local theatre productions (Rocky Horror Picture Show and Beach Blanket Bingo particularly stand out – i may have the show names a bit incorrect so my apologies), comedy acts, vocalists, black history (just saw The Spirit of Harriet Tubman – a one woman show by our own Leslie McCurdy which was absolutely amazing – what a performer!), and so forth.
I think that the reason that the Capitol may not resonate with some people in Windsor is because they may be more into sporting events, home and outdoor/recreation shows, etc.
Over $13 million dollars was raised thanks to donations by indivudals and businesses, and governement funding to renovate and repair the Capitol during the 1990s and there was a fabulous gala reopening (which I attended) in April 2001 that had a 1920s theme since that was when the Capitol first opened. If you have ever walked on around the Capitol, you may have noticed the bronze stars imbeded in the sidewalk. 17 of these stars were unvelied during that Gala and commemorate various pillars of the community. Each one was sponsored by an individual or business to the tune of $5000.
So as you can see, there has been a lot of community support for the Capitol. I agree that more fundraising efforts could be implemented by the Capitol itself. A major fundraiser each year featuring local talent (and we have tons including Juno nominee Daniel Victor of Neverending White Lights) would be a logical undertaking.
The Capitol has also suffered from mismanagement but has benefited from the hard work of countless volunteers who have been there through thick and thin. One of them just called me today to tell me how great the rally was. He showed up there last night for a while despite nursing a broken leg and several damaged vertebrae in his neck.
I hope I have shed a little more light on the subject and of course, I hope that the city is taking us seriously. I am still waiting to hear back from the Mayor in response to my open letter which I emailed him on Wednesday and also read on CBC radio yesterday. In this letter I reminded him of several glowing comments he made about downtown and why we love Windsor during his State of the City address in 2006, in the hopes he would recognize the hypocrisy of recent city council actions, or should i say, inaction, re the Capitol, while council has no qualms about supporting costly and unecessary projects ($65 million – and counting – arena, $3.5 million Peace Beacon, $16 million Vista Project, coutless expensive studies, and so on).
I guess people like me are the reason that city council thinks they need to spend half a million on a new p.r. department, as reported in The Windsor Star today.
Elaine Weeks
Regardless of whether the Capitol is in the Red or Black it should be funded and enormously promoted by this outstanding city. I don’t believe the value the City of Windsor enjoys from the Capitol comes from revenue. At least not it’s most precious value. I was so impressed last night when I saw what seemed to be fully a quarter of the participants were children and maybe more if you added the young adults. This sort of outpouring came from something they experienced at this venue and with such little time to get the word out was an overwhelming number. Investing in buildings and programs such as the events that have drawn these young people to last nights event will encourage them to study, grow culturally and ultimately stay in Windsor. That will mean far more for the economy and future revenue to our great city than making the Capitol a profit center. I’m sure it can be and minds far better than mine I’m sure will do so given the opportunity but I personally would rather see my tax dollars(by the way I’m older and my children are grown) support anything that will encourage growth and diversity in our youth as the Capitol so clearly does. I am a supporter by buying tickets and giving my time to the arts that go on there but unless I’m really lucky fifty years from now I’ll be gone and yet part of my legacy will still be in those young folks that were there last night when they are sending their children and grandchildren to such outstanding venues. Pay it Forward
Great stuff guys, keep the comments coming.
Elaine, culture and arts are valued it seems by very few, the mayor included.
If you wait long enough, maybe he can fund a study about the state of the Arts in Windsor.
While I know that this has little to do with the Capitol staff, it dissapointed me to no end to have to drive out to Lakeshore to see some of the Windsor Film Festival films during the 2006 festival. IMO The Capitol as well as the Walkerville/Tivoli should be the main venues to show the films at. The Capitol combined with the Palace could create a nice dense walkable festival area. But that is only one of the many uses.
Kudos to you and the other organizers for rallying up the troops on such short notice.
Dear Mr. Francis, (open letter to Mayor Francis)
I want to add my thoughts to the many concerned e-mails you have received regarding saving the Capitol. I think the case has been convincingly made for doing whatever it takes to save this valuable asset. Today’s Windsor Star which features a front page story about how you and your council spent $35,000 on take out food last year, also reports a study by Media Company Corporate Knights stating that Windsor comes second to last out of 23 Canadian cities in sustainability. “We don’t seem to be capitalizing on our strengths,” is a quote from the article that pretty much sums up the Capitol situation. Here we have a world class venue for the arts, a major contributor to the quality of life of our city, and were letting it die for the sake of a few bucks. We have money to build an over budget peace beacon, spend a half a million dollars to study Riverside drive but when it comes to the cultural heart of our city “were not in the business of writing blank cheques.”
This is your legacy Mr. Francis. This is how you will be remembered. Will you be the Mayor who saves the Capitol Theatre for the good of all Windsor, or will it be on your watch, that one of Windsors last cultural flames is allowed to flicker and die.
Howard Weeks
Well it’s good to hear the “Save the Capitol” gang at leasts understands WHY it’s in trouble. Several have openly acknowledged mismanagement and I think the suggestion to clean house and put some responsible and accountable individuals at the helm is a must if any money comes from the city. Furthermore, they could stand to move more toward the mainstream and embrace the “blue collar” nature of our town when planning events. Take a page from WSO’s book. They once suffered a bad image for scheduling performances of obscure works that may be known and critically acclaimed by the inner circles among classical music buffs, but the general public wanted to hear Beethoven, Wagner, and Mozart. So that’s what they gave them. If memory serves these are changes Susan Haig brought when she took the helm, correct me if I’m wrong. But one can’t “buy” culture. Money won’t make Windsor more cultural. The venue can only appeal to what the public wants …. or fade away.
I have a suggestion. Why not show old movies at the Capitol? I remember going to the Capitol to see first run movies like Raiders of The Lost Ark and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in the 80’s. Why couldn’t we revive the tradition by showing cult classics like The Night of The Living Dead or Son of The Blob? We could even have customers dress up like zombies or vampires and invite The Ghoul to emcee. Think about all the publicity.
Just got this from Ed Agnew, one of the people responsible for government funding of the Capitol over the years:
“Our board has deferred signing of Bankruptcy papers intil Monday afternoon. I will let you know if I find out anything.”
I also heard from Norma Coleman today, Eddie’s right hand woman at the mayor’s office, who said that council is not going to let the Capitol close but that she couldn’t give me any specifics until the lawyers had finished meeting.
So, things are looking up – i think!!
Thanks for the update Elaine, Keep us posted.
That’s a cool idea George. Palace used to do something like that in the ’80s. Would be neat to see old B-blicks and classics somewhere in town.
Couldn’t agree more. There needs to be events at the Capitlol to draw the “average” Windsorite in. They shoud be able to figure out how to run a moive night, once a month or something, at minimal cost to the theatre while making a profit. Pick a night when the theatre would be dark anyway.
I’m hoping Capitol Theatre v. 3.0 is a better version than the last one 🙂
The offer is off the table for the Capital Theatre. The City of Windsor says the theatre has dragged its feet in making a decision about a 65 thousand dollar loan and administration now calls them insolvent.
The city of windsor ” DRAGGED ” it’s feet for 10 years or more deciding on where to build that stupid arena not to mention putting all those folks downtown out of their homes from land that sat vacant for years. Yet the mayor and his so-called lawyers can say the Capital Theatre is insolvent ?? I hope eddie francis realizes the public got him elected and the public can also get him out at the next election !!!!!
I’ve performed at the Capitol as an actor.
I’ve directed a production (Nuncrackers) at the Capitol.
I’ve been an audience member at the Capitol.
I’m not from Windsor, but I work and play at the Capitol.. And what I do there brings people into the Capitol. I’m one of many who does that.
We bring folks to downtown Windsor…they spend, they enjoy, and they RETURN!!
I cannot believe that the members of City Council cannot open their eyes, and see the value of a fully functioning Capitol Theatre to the city core.
I can’t believe that they can fund an arena, and not fully fund the Capitol Theatre.
I can’t believe that they can fund the Symphony, the Art Gallery, and NOT fund the Capitol Theatre.
The message is quite simple….and they can’t figure it out.
Sad, really.
Glen M. Turner
Wallaceburg, Ontario
Interesting concept the mayor has, give with one hand and take with the other. Wonder if he could spare some of that advertising money the city is spending for the wrestling event for some more closed door meeting suppers.
What will become of Urban downtown without the Capitol?
But did anyone ever think that is maybe what the city wants? To take over the Capitol themselves? It’s not that far fetched as you say all the other councillors are staying tight lipped. Never under-estimate Mayor Francis, he always has an agenda.
Just my two more cents.
Successive city councils continue to ignore the fact that a flourishing Arts Community is a substantial determining factor for businesses when they think about locating here. The positive effect on young minds has been well documented. Some of these council members including the Mayor don’t get it, for they are the parents and future Grandparents of those same young minds who are going to be denied cultural growth. I agree with Todd Fraba in his letter to the Windsor Star, when he suggests that removing their expense account for dining out would be a start on fiscal fitness, and that alone would fund the Capital. That is what we do in the real world of business. Some of these people forget that they are employees of we the taxpayer. By the way, I disagree on one poiint in the foregoing discussions with Guido: the new arena will cost over $100 million dollars not $75 million. Just watch!
For starters, I would like nothing more than for the Capitol Theatre to remain open, for its employees, other businesses that are housed there, and for the community. Although our company (Breathe Art Theatre Project) performs in Detroit, we have been bringing our productions to Windsor the last 3 years and have developed a very good following. In the last year, we’ve brought 3 productions to the Capitol (Tape, Closer, and Wit), all selling very well.
That said, even though I understand that the City Council should be looking out for the city’s future and diversification, I’m a little perplexed that all the blame is going to them. The board has known for the last 3 years that the Capital was bleeding. Many of us had complained, both formally and informally, that programming and spending from the previous management was simply wasteful and without thought to a vision and market. Yet they ignored us and nothing was done until their backs were truly against the wall. This should be a wake up that members on arts boards are not only there for financial purposes, but also to assist with a vision. That a manager for an arts facility like the Capitol, should at least have an arts management background and a pulse on not only its community, but that of the business it is cultivating. There was no vision there. Most of us figured that out quickly.
This is a shot to the system for those in the arts community and those who are pursuing a diversified city. My concern is for those employeed at the Capitol, and those whose businesses were housed at the Capitol (Artcite, etc…). I do hope that the city has a plan. That the facility will be sold to a private group, or a school, who will run it wisely, with experience and thought for the community and its greater purpose.
The Capitol Theatre is a fully equipted, state of the art theatre. If the equiptment and assets of the building are sold off, what will remain will be a bigger problem than what we have now. Ask the cities of London or Chatham, the both are trying, and have been for some time,
to re-open the stripped down theatres in their cities. The have both had long, costly ,lessons in why you should’t give away what you all ready have.The Capitol is a historic, architecturally important building, and for any citizen of this city to feel ” I don’t go there, so we don’t need it, makes about as much sense as saying the same thing about a hospital or library. Not all kids play sports, but they need activities as well and many young people in this city have attended workshops, shows, and performed in that building.Don’t destroy what other cities are trying to get back, we can’t afford it. We need to work together for answers, it’s never to late. Cogeco T.V. and local artists were planning a telethon to raise awareness and help with the financial burden, other groups planned fundraisers as well, but the plain truth is we weren’t given enough time. Forget finger pointing, who cares who owns the Capitol, just keep it in tact. Politicians come and go as do business deals and theatre boards, but the city remains. The loss of culture is the beginning of decay.
To all of you who said in your comments that the Capitol and artists had done nothing to help themselves besides signs and slogans, I am aware of 3 other fund raisers in the works besides the telethon I had already mentioned. And as for shows of limited appeal, O.K. folks, list 10 shows that were at the Cap in this last year, if you can’t do that than you can’t make that statement from an informed position. I can tell you, they have kids shows, comedy, drama,horror, music, dance, lectures and forums, claasic rock album shows, and so much more. The local media has to start supportong local shows more, and then the average citizen would know that, more than likely, there are shows they would enjoy, from a night of music and drinks for mom and dad to a pirate show for the kids, it’s all there. So explain limited appeal to me again?
I have just finished reading every posting so far and I am amazed, amused and disgusted by some of the comments. The arts community found out in the 11th hour about the Capitol crisis and began organizing events right away. MJM Entertainment Productions was ready and booked to do a charity show (all professional actors willing to work for free) with 100% of the proceeds to go to the Capitol. Jason Gale had Cogeco in negotiations to film and air a telethon in May (all while he was dealing with a close friend who was dying in the hospital in Detroit), which would have featured many of our local arts group and artists (most of them professionals) to donate their time for the love of this building. I myself make my living as a performance artist and have already done one charity kids show (sold out by the way)for the Capitol, giving them 100% of the proceeds. There was a grant from the Trillium foundation, already received, to hire a program outreach co-coordinator to orchestrate events to benefit our youth and bring in quality performances for the public. There was also an afternoon show for kids planned and advertised on April 15th, to show the original Disney version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, again, artists and Capitol staff all donating their time. These are just a few of the planned events that were sitting in limbo
Demetri had some very valid points, but, the prospective ball was in the hands of city council and they let it drop. The arts community is working together to find a way to keep the Capitol ball bouncing.
Jay Gale nailed it in his comments!
I have emailed the Prime Minister, let’s see if he gives a rats fanny about us.
Michelle J. Mainwaring
http://www.mjmcomedy.com
p.s.
This is a great forum for opinion Andrew….thank you and keep up the great work!
Michelle
No thanks to all of you… Without people posting comments, and giving their opinion, there would be no discussion.
When I switched formats to the “blog” style format in October 2005, the ability for the readers to interact was the main reason. Glad to see it’s finally paid off. 🙂
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 “availableâ€, 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).
I have been out of town on tour with “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman”, the play mentioned above by Elaine Weeks. I have toured across Canada and the United States and The Capitol Theatre is by far the nicest venue of its size, in so many ways, that I have performed in. I, too, am hopeful that the city has some alternate plan for the Capitol that will see it survive as a theatre. Poor management has definitly been the main problem with the Capitol Theatre. For years theatre professionals have offered suggestions as to improving the viablilty of the theatre to no avail. There is so much talent in this city it isn’t funny. We have a drama school at the University that is considered on of the country’s best and a new musical theatre program at St. Clair College where we train performers to leave this city to work in cities across Canada that understand that show business (and theatre is a business!) can be very lucrative. I had mentioned many times to the past management that we have a potential audience base of over a million people – considering both sides of the border – and that in large numbers those people leave or pass through Windsor to see theatre in Toronto, Stratford, London, etc. In the ten years that bingo revenue was supporting the Capitol Theatre it could have developed into a professional theatre venue that kept those people here. I have read several of the above postings that have maligned the staff along side of the poor management. Many of the employees have been trying to make changes for years, only to be fired. When someone would complain to a member of the board of directors who seemed sympathetic to concerns of employees and artists who knew that changes in management were essential, that board member would disappear. I have personally brought directors and producers from out of town who loved the venue and wanted to do more work in it only to have them thwarted by the past management. The irony in most of this is that the “past management” is finally gone and the people who were in there now were starting to try to do the things that could make the theatre viable. Statistics have demonstrated that major cities across Canada devote from a high of 7.6% of their total annual budget to the arts (Calgary) to a low of .1% (Windsor). If Windsor were to commit 3.4% (the next lowest amount) of the total annual budget to the arts we would have money for The Symphony, The Art Gallery, and The Capitol Theatre with something to spare. It’s really a shame when the arts are held in such low esteem in a city of our size. Maybe that’s part of the reason why our city is regarded with such low esteem by outsiders.
By the way, many people who had never attended the Capitol Theatre before attended the performance of “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman”. Most of them were surprised at what a wonderful venue it is and changed their sentiments on the value of the Capitol Theatre to the city and expressed that they would not mind paying more on their taxes to support it. Just to let you know.
Leslie,
Welcome back and congrats on your sucesses outside of Windsor….shame people from out of town can’t bring all their tourism dollars here to see you in our own beautifjul house.
Perhaps one day…You are definately one of our ‘Local Treasures”.
Peace
Dear Friends,
I am sending this as a last desperate attempt to increase tickets sales for tomorrow night at Mackenzie Hall.
I was at a near sell out at the Capitol (which would have sold out a couple of weeks ago). From the ticket sales that were refunded, only 15 people have purchased new tickets for Mackenzie Hall.
I am hoping you may want to attend this event, dinner and comedy show,(or tell as many of your friends as possible). I will include all the info below. I had to give the caterer a number for meals and if I don’t sell an additional 21 tickets I will have to pay for the meals myself and we simply don’t have the means to do that.
Sorry to sound so pleading, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
If you are unable to attend yourselves, please try and persuade friends and family, I stand by my mission statement “To put a smile on your face and a laugh in your belly”.
Please find all the info below and thanks for your time,
Michelle J. Mainwaring
p.s.
Lots of free parking at Mackenzie Hall.
: )
“It’s Over in the Clover!”
March 17th, 2007
Originally scheduled for the Capitol Theatre now being presented at Mackenzie Hall
Don’t drink until you can’t see straight this St. Paddy’s Day. Come out and enjoy an evening of Irish Enchantment, Lore and Lunacy with MJM Entertainment Productions newest, Irish Comedy…
“It’s Over in the Clover!” featuring the comedic stylings of the O’Hardly family.
Dinner and Show $45
Show starts at 7:00p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 for cocktails
Call Mackenzie Hall for ticket info at 519-255-7600
This show is not suitable for children, get a sitter and relax for a change.
As the former General Manager of the Capitol and past board member of both the Arts Council and Artcite, it saddens me to read and hear false statements allegations of greed etc. and generally negative comments from the board, former staff and my arts community about the administration and “alleged†mismanagement of the Capitol during my tenure.
In particular, from a community that has in fact, “substantially benefited” from my previous administrations so called “greed” or should I say, “very successful venue administration, innovative programming and services, grantmanship, fundraising, mutual marketing brochures and special events”.
All local arts groups during my tenure received subsidized rental rates to the tune of 75% of their actual cost. This overt subsidization of community groups, I would say, is most certainly “not greed”. All groups received a significant amount of additional technical, production and marketing assistance for their events at no additional charge as well.
Over the 14 years of my tenure, local community rental subsidizations total’s over $3.5 million. The initial interior renovations had to be cut back by 2 million dollars as the original bids came in two million to high. Since the renovations in 1995 the Capitol has been continually repairing, renovating and upgrading the facilities ever since with the funds it generated from bingo’s. Are we starting to begin to understand where the money went?
Prior to resigning my position as General Manager, an audit was “in fact completed†and never released by the Board. The audit stated that there “was not even the possibility of misappropriation of funds”. Unfortunately, the Board never released this audit to the public or media, which would have cleared up both the unsubstantiated allegations and concerns relating to “where all the money had gone”.
It went to the ongoing restorations, renovations, operation and upgrading of the facilities, including box-office, web and technical equipment for the benefit of the community.
It is really tragic that this art community unlike the Feds and the Province, has “never been able†to focus on the positives and acknowledge success of the Capitol and truly support it. Based on what I am seeing lately, this still is the case.
In fact some in this arts community have yet again earned a poor reputation, by continuing to undermine its successes and repeatedly “biting the hands that feed them”.
It sickens me, to think that members of our arts community can be so short sighted. That I and many others, could pour our hearts and soles into this massive project, for the development of the performing arts in our community and in return be treated so poorly, by the very people we have struggled so hard to serve and gave so much of our time and expertise to. Particularly, when we have exceeded expectations and achieved success on many levels, in spite of almost insurmountable odds.
The Capitol was recognized nationally for its restoration and was used Federally as a model for facility renovation /restoration projects. The Capitol offered many additional services to the community, that similar venues in almost all other municipalities did not offer, in spite of our lack of municipal subsidization.
It should be noted that Federal or Provincial funding is not available for “community amateur theatre†yet the Capitol always supported and subsidized it’s community groups in spite of the lack of funding available for this purpose.
It’s a very sad statement, when the arts community criticizes the administration for presenting and supporting emerging touring artists and performing art companies, when it is the facilities mandate to do so. The Capitol was a very important part of the emerging and Canadian artist food chain, not only for local groups but national and international performers as well.
It is pathetically sad, when all the effort that has gone into the development of the theatre, has been dismissed by members of the community, who have no clue what went into it or what it takes to operate it. Those who would not and have not contributed anything to it, that didn’t involve some form of personal gain for themselves. It’s really ironic, that those very individuals are now and have been, front and centre for the past months since I left, referring to my and many others efforts as self-serving and mere “resume building”.
The arts community has never recognized or understood the magnitude of the funding requirements, nor the operational challenges facing the theatre due to those requirements and the conditions related to the securing and utilization of federal and provincial funding and frankly from what I have seen recently, clearly still doesn’t.
The Capitol had just completed a strategic planning exercise in 2004 and was implementing its recommendations. We had just begun making the changes identified in the study, when a select few of the staff and a newly hired operations manager made a very strategic effort to undermine me and stage a coo.
They approached the Board and media with false information and subsequently attempted to apply for my job. The lead bullies also wrote letters that contained many unsubstantiated allegations. Several of the staff were “in on itâ€, meetings were held off site, inviting staff and former staff and community members to assist in the organization of a mobbing.
It is very important to note here, that one of the leaders of this group had recently resigned their position at the theatre, specifically one that was identified in the study, as needing to be replaced. The study recommended that we hire a more “competent and experienced” Director of Development and demote this person to assistant status.
This self-righteous appearing individual was and is, so bitter about this, that she has made repeated untrue allegations and still continues to make every effort to not only to damage my reputation but tarnish the successes and achievements of the whole organization.
Prior to my resignation, a committee of council was set up in May of 2005, to begin to discuss the possibility of an annual operating grant, due to both an unexpected 17 % drop in that fiscal years bingo funds prior to the implementation of the smoking legislation, also in that fiscal year and the city clerk was beginning to warn us of a reduction of our allotted number of bingo licenses in the very near future. The Capitol was well aware, that the demise of bingos entirely, was not only possible but probable, due to the impact of the smoking legislation. That’s why we went to council in May of 2005.
The fundraising environment has drastically changed since we made the agreement to be self-supporting in 1993. That agreement was made not only on the basis of having the opportunity to operate charity casinos and bingos but on the basis of not competing with government subsidized casino entertainment venues as well. The Capitol was the only annual non government owned and subsidized venue of its kind in Windsor. It had to compete with subsidized venues such as Walkerville, Mackenzie Hall, The Chrysler Theatre and the University facilities. The only way it could offer rental rates relatively comparable with the other subsidized venues, was to run bingos and charity casinos.
Some community groups could not even afford those subsidized rates and the Capitol provided additional aid to those groups, in order to allow for their development as companies.
However, the Capitol Board chose NOT to meet with the appointed council committee following my departure. Instead they chose to mislead not only city council but the public, grantors and the arts community. Moving funds that were set aside for endowment purposes into operating in order to balance their budget, it should be noted that bingo’s revenues recovered that year due to the closing of a hall as well.
Stating repeatedly in the press, that not only has it’s financial position recovered from previous “mismanagement†which was actually an unanticipated “$230,000 drop in bingo fundingâ€, but also reporting that it’s financial position was in fact now stable, even implying that there were new funding prospects on the horizon. A one time bequest that is held up in probate is not stable funding.
The Acting General Manager / Board has been donating the facility to community groups in the form of co-presents, in order to cover up poor decisions on the Boards part and to feed into the “mobbing frenzy†they allowed to be created, in order to now “improve its image” or should I say “buy the affection†of selected arts groups and individuals, when it did not have the financial resources to do so. All the while, they are loaning the theatre money in order to stay in business. This is not only a conflict but really unethical and it is just down right irresponsible.
Programming a season while knowing full well, that they would NOT have the funds to pay the artists, fulfill rental contracts or complete the 06/07 season. Yet they went ahead and proceeded to mislead those artists and the public. A season most certainly never should have been booked under those circumstances. The Board made every effort to appear as if, it was taking care of business, yet they chose to ignore the reality of the bingo situation and the financial position of the theatre, playing to the media, leaving on extended vacations, and even running for city council.
Sadly, waiting until it was too late to do anything meaningful.
Prior to and following my resignation, the Board, has basically followed to a “T” the Carver Book on Board Leadership specifically, the sections on what “NOT TO DO” as a Board!
Being the General Manager of a facility is not a “popularity contest”. You do not go to the public and conduct an evaluation of your CEO, you do not interview employees that were fired by me “for cause” and ask them “what they think of the Manager”.
The Daudlin Report undertaking was utterly ridiculous and frankly the document has no basis in fact and is libelous. I have not read it, my lawyer told me that was in fact the case. As Carver states in his book this was/is “a dodge for ineffective Boards”.
I cannot believe that some of these individuals who were fired “for cause†as well as the administrator of an umbrella arts organization that tried to avoid paying out and spent, funds in held in trust for the Capitol Theatre, are now front and centre talking about how to secure funds, operate facilities and manage those funds. Truly absurd.
Windsor’s arts community is just too small and way to incestuous. Sadly, for some members, it’s motto appears to be “self interest above all else” at any cost, with no consideration of the bigger picture or working together.
I have made many difficult and challenging decisions as a Manager and I readily admit a few mistakes as well. I was far from perfect, but I do know that I ethically managed the venue and always gave my best effort. I certainly didn’t and do not deserve this nonsense. You know what they say, “it takes a village”.
Fortunately, I never gave up, nor did I ever make as big a mistake, as misleading the public or mismanaging the finances or affairs of the theatre, then hand the keys over to the city. Nor, did I ever alienate and give ultimatums to council.
The theatre’s future is not a ego driven ‘political game’, to be played by some opportunistic members of the arts community and former staff when it’s convenient for them. I do not know how they can be so dishonest, selfish and arrogant and sleep at night. Staff and the pubic has always had access to the detailed financial statements as a public trust, they sat in binders in the centre of the office for all to see and were available to the community upon request and as well annual audits were distributed at the annual meetings. It is most unfortunate, that some of the past and present staff and others did not have the ability to comprehend them.
Former staff, the board and the arts community have played games with my life and the future of the facility and the results are now crystal clear.
Adding commentary on sites, lying about activities and spreading rumors and innuendos. Making statements and accusations with no merit, with no comprehension of what the actual figures are, or what it takes to run, fundraise and operate such a venue.
230 + events in the venue annually, 1000 + bingo events, Celtic festivals, fundraising gala events, hundreds of volunteers etc. etc.
The Capitol had increased it’s attendance levels to over 65 thousand annually, programming and presenting numerous sold out shows prior to my leaving. It is shocking to see to responses and endorsements of the rumors by other individual members of the community that have little or no accurate information. Shame on you all.
Council and the media has always stated that there was too much infighting in the arts community, that it “cannot get it together, work together or operate professionally like a business†and I always believed and told them that it was possible, but now after all of this…I believe they are right as the former “Capitol staff and some members of the arts community” have once again proven them right, in spades. BRAVO
During my 14 year tenure, we successfully purchased the facility for $1.83 million in 1993 and have completed over $7 million in renovations.
The Capitol fundraised over 900K net from the community towards those renovations and over 600K net annually in order to support its operations, continue repairs and renovations and subsidize community rentals.
Local community arts groups have been the “major beneficiary” of the efforts of my 14 years of fundraising, grant writing and administration.
I am extremely proud of what was achieved during my tenure as Fundraising Director, Assistant Manager and General Manager.
I was very fortunate to have been given the wonderful opportunity, to work with some really bright, amazing people and very talented artists, to lovingly restore and create and develop a multiple award winning facility and present and produce award winning seasonal programming, gala’s and special events.
The fact that the Capitol Theatre was a very successful award winning and innovative during my tenure, is really something you “cannot tarnish” and does speak much louder than the recent unfounded and misinformed allegations and accusations.
Almost twenty months after my leaving, it’s is bankrupt and crying “foul play” on the part of council and the community can do nothing meaningful to save it.
In fact there now asking “where are the people who saved it in 1991?”
It’s not surprising that we have backed off, after former and current staff as well as some members of the arts community have repeatedly trashed our efforts.
Frankly, this whole fiasco has been a really tragic play.
I now watch the demise of the theatre and the mishandling of the whole situation, along with the feeble attempts of the local arts groups to organize, lobby, make presentations and protest with vindication.
So don’t ask where we are we now… I loved what I did, but it did take a personal toll.
Honestly, I am very happy, well rested and for the first time in the last 14 years stress free, worry free and sleeping well.
Perhaps, in stead of speculating, blaming and spreading rumors, you should put your money, time, passion and considerable effort into saving, building, renovating, fundraising and programming a multiple award winning facility.
I know I did.
Patricia Warren BFA – CFRE
Patricia,
I read every single word of your post and have to commend you for coming forward with your story. People don’t have an understanding of all that has gone on, I know I don’t, and your letter holds so much merrit and was so precisely written to the point that I found myself waiting for the next part of your story with a faster heart rate.
You were the reason MJM was able to have had so many successes at the Capitol Theatre and you mentioned all the media support that was provided at no charge…for us, it was like a dream, we were grateful and knew the value and what a tremendous opportunity it was and we had a great run there for awhile and what I felt was a great partnership and working relationship. I would have liked to have seen that grow in other artistic directions.
I know most people don’t have any clue as to what it costs just to keep the heat and lights on in that building, because we have sat together in that once cozy office area and talked about it. And people do not have a concept of the continuing repairs and updates that were necessary to keep it up to date and meet all the codes and what not (see, I don’t even have a proper understanding of it).
Some people have said disparraging things, about you and about both of us, I’m sure, but, I truthfully tell you now (and to whoever happens to read this as well) that I have never had anything but a high respect for what you did in the Capitol and how you treated me and my crew (and have always said so and will continue to say so). It wasn’t the same without you when you left, there was a definate switch in energy, can’t say exactly what it was as it continuosly changed until my last moments there.
You mentioned feeble attempts by artists, for myself, and my group, we didn’t know what else to do, but what we do…create art. I did write to the Prime Minister, Bill Gates, Shania Twain and a bunch of other well to do’s….looking for help…all to no avail…more feeble attempts, seems like, but when you’re left with no sign of hope, you get desperate. I know the attempts my group made wasn’t for the glory, but for the love of the Capitol and all that it is and used to be.
Anyway, you shed a lot of light on a lot of things. I am glad you are stress free and sleeping well. I selfishly wish that you were a little more stressed and back at the helm stearing the ship with a host full of artists and audience around you. I do know that you cared about that place and the artists like myself, who came through those doors. I do know that you had a smart working knowledge of all operations and I believe the Capitol’s doors would still be open if you were left in place 20 months ago. I also appreciate you coming forward with your story, it is a powerful one and some won’t believe it, but you lived it…you know.
For what it’s worth…I’m sorry you went through what you did, and am grateful for the opportunity you afforded us.
Peace,
Michelle
P.S. I parked in front of the Capitol today on my way to a meeting and on the way back I stopped and looked in the windows. Through the glass double doors I saw the cold, dark loniness inside and (being an artist, and a much too sensitive soul) I cried. Then I looked in the office window and saw its emptiness and abandoned plants and thought “whose going to water them” and I cried again.
Michelle,
Thank you.
When I said feeble attempts, I meant “unsuccessful” – “falling on deaf earsâ€.
I thought your comments presented at council and submitted in the paper, were very accurate, well presented and heart felt.
The reason the Mayor cut the arts groups short during council and have not been responding to emails, was not the arts groups fault.
It was because after I left, the Board did not meet with or provide the committee that was appointed to help the Capitol, with the requested information.
The Board chose to by-pass this committee and when in crisis, went directly to the Mayor making demands and threatening to hand over the keys.
Councillor Dave mentioned this during the meeting but none of the arts groups picked up on it, nor was it pursued further during the meeting.
I am very sad and sorry this happened as well…I didn’t want to say anything before now because; I really wanted to give it every chance to succeed.
It is in the hands of the City now and I do hope and have faith, that they will make the facility available for the community.
Don’t give up, set up meetings, sit on the appointed committee and talk to the councilors.
Pat
Just wanted to add that although I was not at the rally for the Capitol, there were other artists and arts groups like the Riverfront Theatre and all the kids that came out who really just wanted to show their support for the Capitol in the only way they knew how, because they love it and have no hidden agendas.
Well everyone, it seems the time has come to put everything else aside and focus on a solution, and pray there is not a dissolution.
Please put any and all ‘negativie feelings’ aside and ‘blame placing’ and ‘wondering why’s’ away for good and keep your positive energies focussed on the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre, the primary focus in this dramatic game.
The Theatre itself is what it is all about and I will say it again, as it has been said by many before me: there is strength in numbers.
We all may not agree on the same level about a great many things, but I know we all agree that the number one priority in our ‘arts community’ is keeping that glorius and regal gem accessible to us all.
We all must band together, be heard with one voice “we love the Capitol and will work together to keep it alive”.
You can not have peace if you retaliate with war…we must stand together for what we believe in. Brothers and sisters of the arts….not all families like each other, but they can live in the same house.
Peace,
Michelle
Patricia,
I commend the work that you did in trying to maintain The Capitol Theatre. As a General Manager you did the best you could under the circumstances and I understand some of the constraints you were under as well as what it took to run a theatre as I do know “the business”. However, I also know that some of the errors that, even you admit to having made, may have been costly ones. I know that, sometimes, your management style was difficult for others to work with. This from people outside of the city with which we have both have contact in our travels and associations. It has always been my opinion that an artistic director was needed to oversee the theatre artistically while you managed it fiscally. Doing both jobs was impossible. I think that would have netted the optimum environment for all involved. The main problem with the fate of the theatre was the sudden loss of bingo revenue. It is a shame, regardless of the other circumstances surrounding the theatre, management or otherwise, that the citizens of the city of Windsor in general and its leadership in particular, cannot see the value of maintaining a theatre venue like the Capitol Theatre. Its fate shouldn’t have been left to the fortunes or misfortunes of the bingo industry in any event. We, as a cummunity, should be more knowledgeable about the value of the arts to a thriving, vibrant community and should support them accordingly.
Saving The Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre is the only thing that is important now!
Leslie
Leslie,
At least I admit to making some. If your not moving forward, taking risks
and breaking new ground, you don’t make any mistakes. However, the price
paid for errors was primarily personal.
It’s really unfortunate and amazing how distorted information becomes when
it’s repeated over and over. That some continue to make ill informed or
unfounded allegations and make up stories, the reality of this mess is
unbelievable enough.
No Board members were ever replaced for that reason, and no employees were
ever fired for trying to make changes. In fact new ideas were encouraged and
incorporated. Board vacancies were filled for lack of attendance at meetings
as per by-laws, and staff were only fired “for cause” some specifically for
fraud, theft and criminal breach of trust. Leslie it’s not easy to run a
facility of this size, twenty board members, as many as fifteen staff and a
hundred + volunteers, forty bingo crew workers and numerous community groups
all with special needs, interests and focuses.
I negotiated hundreds of contracts and fee’s for touring artists and I am
sorry to say, no venue in Ontario that “primarily presents touring artists
and rents facilities” has a position of “Artistic Director” where it is a
persons “sole responsibility” to program the venue. Venues are primarily
programmed by their Managers. I attended almost every artist showcase for
the last 14 years and I don’t believe you need to be an actor nor a director
in order to recognize talent, good quality productions and understand your
market.
I have raised some eyebrows and ruffled a few feathers along the way.
Primarily because I always promoted Windsor and Windsor artists to both
national and provincial touring associations and agents at those showcases
and meetings, I even promoted you Leslie. Also, because we were doing things
ahead of other venues that had been around for 30 -50 years. We were moving
forward at a very fast pace and some didn’t want hear about or have anyone
compare our success, in spite of the lack of municipal funding, with the
status of their own facilities. Even so, I was often approached for advise
on many aspects of our theatre programs, forms, contracts and fundraising
strategies as well.
I received many positive thank you letters from both artists and agents
commenting on the service and quality of the Capitol venue, even from those
that had nothing positive to say about Windsor prior to coming to the
Capitol. I have repeatedly stated that some of our amateur and student
theatre, is as strong if not stronger than some of the professional equity
theatre they showcased. I know they found it very hard to believe and didn’t
like what I said, but it’s true, we also have stronger music acts in our
bars and clubs in this area than many of the emerging music acts they were
showcasing for venues.
Windsor is a very unique market and most of the agents and promoters don’t
understand the nature and impact of our proximity to Detroit nor do they
realize our opportunity to see world class entertainment minutes away. They
also didn’t understand the media in this market the fact that there are 30
some odd radio stations in the area that aren’t mandated to play Canadian
artist. They didn’t know that most of these artists have no exposure in this
area and that very few Windsorites know what a Juno is. Many of the artists
and theatrical productions showcased would never work in Windsor, unlike
small rural towns or northern cities, where they don’t have as much variety
or opportunity to see and hear international world class entertainment. Many
artists showcased just weren’t high enough quality to present. They had a
very hard time understanding that we are in fact in competition with those
American venues and clubs as well. That people in Windsor cross the border
often and very easily.
Yes, your right, it is sad that we had to rely on Bingo funding when all
other venues in this area, and of it’s kind receive municipal or
governmental operating support. However, if it wasn’t for bingo, there would
be no Capitol Theatre. The theatre never would have been able to sustain
itself or offer the comparable rates and services it did. Like it has been
stated many times over, “it is the only venue of its kind in Ontario and
possibly the country that is not operationally subsidized”. Running that
many bingos, was no small feat either, yet at one point we even had the
lowest loss per event ratio in the city. We designed forms and trained other
organizations to administer bingos effectively as well.
I had many positive and mutually rewarding relationships with many agents
and artists that supported both myself and the theatre, by allowing 50/50
splits in order to develop artists in our market and offer school
programming etc. In fact we still keep in touch. We even supported the
agent/producer for your Bravo recording, as I recall and received a nice
letter also.
The Capitol presented many firsts in this area and in Ontario, we were in
fact leaders in presenting emerging artists in selected genres. Many acts
upon the Capitol presenting them first, subsequently went on to the touring
circuit. Classic Albums Live and the World Music and Jazz Series are prime
examples. I secured “artistic directors” for the genre’s that I had limited
experience in, Hugh Leal for the Jazz Series and the manager of Small World
Music out of Toronto who were very knowledgeable in these areas, they either
programmed or assisted with the programming of each series. I also, sought
the advise of many in the community, for selected programs as well. I never
had to worked alone, I always had input and specialized expert advise when
required.
Stratford wasn’t built in a day, not that long ago and for many years it was
millions in debt. Even though there is 4 million people surrounding Windsor.
Very few come to Windsor for theatrical entertainment. The Capitol certainly
could not afford to market to the US market based on our seating capacity.
We always attempted to secure coverage and sponsorships and we did receive
both, but it didn’t produce audiences. This market did not and will not come
to Windsor for amateur theatre. Development of this market takes time and a
very consistent style of professional theatrical programming with extended
runs. It also takes a community that can offer other attractions in order to
secure extended stays.
The Capitol was leading the venue into this type of extended run
programming, after producing 21 theatrical and musical productions since
1997 some with record box-office receipts. It should be noted here, that the
Salvation Army building was donated to the Capitol in 2002 for that purpose.
It was our hope to secure funds to renovate the building and work with both
the College and University towards the development of a fully equipped
production facility and training centre, that would not only support the
Capitol’s productions and the development of a professional company but
assist and be available to community groups in order to improve and increase
their production values as well. However, we were turned down in 2003 for a
trillium grant to develop a feasibility study on the facility.
The theatre operation was complex and its programming was very broad and
diverse. I believe this was one of its major assets.
Patricia Warren BFA-CFRE