The Senator Theatre goes to auction July 21, 2009

It will take about $1 million to buy this wonderful, unique historic theatre with a national and international reputation at the city's foreclosure auction, as reported in the Baltimore Sun.

July 21, 2009. If you love historic theatres and want to take good care of our beloved Senator, be there.

Senator Theatre Forced To Close

Unfortunately, this is not Photoshop, folks. This is the marquee of The Senator Theatre as it was being changed last night.



Now, as discouraging as this is, it's not the end. We can demand a better future for The Senator, but there's an important meeting tonight at 7 PM at The Senator that everyone concerned should go to. Here's a press release from The Senator today:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Senator Theatre Forced to Close, Rotunda to Follow
Public to Converge for Town Hall Meeting

Baltimore, MD, March 15, 2009 – Senator Theatre management has announced that the screening of “Watchmen” on Sunday evening, March 15th, was the final first-run film to be shown at the renowned theatre in its 70 year history. The Senator’s first film attraction on October 5, 1939 was “Stanley and Livingstone”.

The exact date for ceasing first-run film exhibition at the Rotunda Cinematheque is not yet determined, but that announcement is likely within the week.

“This was a very difficult decision made after a great deal of soul-searching and deliberation with our key management staff, and my family. The economic realities are such that the show simply cannot go on at The Senator,” said owner Tom Kiefaber. “The rising expressions of support from the extended community and beyond for The Senator and its future are encouraging, however, the revenue from first-run films in this economy has regrettably made it impossible for me to meet payroll for our loyal staff beyond this point.”

A town hall meeting will be held at The Senator on Monday, March 16th at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:15PM.

The newly-formed Senator Community Trust has called the Town Meeting and invited Mayor Dixon and other city and state officials, members of Baltimore City’s Senator Steering Committee and all other interested parties. The purpose of the Town Meeting is to seek public input and clarify the situation regarding The Senator’s precarious and uncertain future. All concerned are encouraged to attend this pivotal public forum.

Theatre management plans to screen a variety of classic and cult films and concert videos to commemorate the end of an era at The Senator.

A schedule of special events will be announced on www.senator.com.

Contact: Tom Kiefaber
info@senator.com
410.435.3583

The Dead Will Rise Again.

Don't worry. This isn't some dire warning about flesh-eating zombies. We defeated them in November, remember?

It's just that the Grateful Dead are going to be touring this spring. They haven't toured for four years, and that's one of many reasons the last four years were a dark, dark time in America. When the Dead are touring, I always suspect the world is more wonderful than we usually realize.

Yeah, it's not the same band we remember. Jerry is missed, and things will never be quite the same. Ticket prices are through the roof and I doubt that many can afford to tour the way some of us used to. Remember calling the hotline and getting the instructions about the number ten envelopes and the index cards and filling in your ticket order just so, so it wouldn't be rejected by the ticket gods, also known as the office workers in San Rafael?

Why is it that every time the Dead tour these days, a very sappy song that isn't theirs comes to mind? "Memories, like the corners of my mind. Misty water-color memories of the way we were." Maybe I'd just better say it's been a long strange trip.

So yeah, the ticket prices are too high, but remember: it's an investment in your insanity.