Tom Kiefaber on The Senator Sessions this weekend

In preparation for the upcoming Senator Sessions this weekend to benefit the historic theatre, owner Tom Kiefaber released statements which I quote from below:

It’s exciting to see how the bands have stepped up in response to David Arquette's urging through MySpace and that the community is supporting 'The Senator Sessions' weekend of benefit concerts.

...

We are producing a more innovative array of special event entertainment programming in response to the mandate from our community town meetings and round table discussions. These live music shows demonstrate expanded uses for large historic theatres like The Senator; enhanced uses that dovetail well with the surrounding businesses and preserve the historical integrity of the building.

What's even more exciting is that a number of the live music acts this weekend will utilize The Senator's giant screen to display projected digital images in synch with the performances. For the Sunday evening show, "Telesma" will also use our quad auditorium surround speakers in addition to on screen images to great effect. The results will be a dazzling blended utilization of what The Senator has to offer.

Its clear that movies are becoming increasingly available on many emerging platforms in addition to home theatres. While The Senator will always be an optimal state-of the art film showcase, what these concerts represent is alternative programming to attract the multitudes to The Belvedere Square commercial district on a more consistent basis. It's an evolution of what the movies used to do, which is generate that key Main Street synergy between a large historic theatre that anchors the commercial district and the surrounding businesses that interact with it in a win/win fashion.

The goal is not just for The Senator and the surrounding businesses and residential neighborhoods to get by and survive, but rather thrive by re-establishing the dynamic synergy that has diminished in a changing entertainment marketplace.

These live shows and other high profile special events will become a significant part of The Senator's dynamic and sustainable future, and that future is now.

...

"The Senator Sessions" concerts are being produced in conjunction with the local independent music scene to demonstrate that The Senator's highest and best use as a community-based, multi-purpose entertainment facility.

In my family we don't think of The Senator primarily in terms of its past, although that's the way the general public often perceives it.

Nostalgia plays a minor role in what we do, but for 70 years my family has viewed The Senator since it first opened in 1939 as a sleek and modern high-tech venue that from its inaugural opening has always been about the future.

As the city goes through the process of acquiring The Senator, we are acting to demonstrate the viability of the expanded entertainment uses that the community wants to see developed while we are still in a position to do so.

With the recent downbeat focus on The Senator's problematic debts, it should be noted that there is also great excitement building in the community as a result of our town meetings and the many round table discussions that have been held in the past two years regarding the theatre's dynamic future potential.

We agree with consensus that has formed that The Senator has an economically viable and dynamic future as a non-profit, community owned multi-purpose entertainment facility.

While the city is working along with us on its planned acquisition of The Senator and its associated real estate, we are working with the community to demonstrate the viability of the community mandate for expanded educational and entertainment uses for The Senator Theatre in addition to state of the art film presentations.

The upcoming weekend of events at the Senator continues to expand. In addition to the four concert events previously mentioned on this blog, there will also be a showing of the 1979 film The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring The Band, with Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, and many more legendary musicians. The Last Waltz will play on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. People who attend the Acoustic Love Songs concert may stay over for the movie at no additional charge. Admission for the movie only is $9.

I can also now report that the Paul Reed Smith guitar being auctioned on e-Bay to benefit the Senator will be signed by a few of the many celebrities who have supported the Senator over the years. Signatures confirmed at this time are Paul Smith, David Arquette, Matthew McConaughey, John Waters, and Josh Groban. If only I had kept up those guitar lessons in high school!

Senator Sessions and Custom Paul Reed Smith Guitar Auction

Tickets are now on sale for the full weekend of concerts to benefit the historic Senator Theatre in Baltimore. You can buy them at missiontix.com.

There will be four separate events showcasing a wide range of musical styles and local talents. It all sounds good to me. I like almost every kind of music, so I'm going for the $35 weekend pass. I think I may as well just move into the Senator next weekend!

The four events are as follows:

FRIDAY, February 13th - Save the Senator: A Baltimore Revue

From historic movie house to entertainment showplace –The Payola Reserve, Wye Oak, Nathan Bell, The John Hardy Boys, US Royalty and local radio legends Rob Timm and Alex Cortright (WRNR) have teamed up to help save the historic Senator Theatre. Join them and more for an evening of live music, film and performances and help preserve and transform this Baltimore landmark into a premier live entertainment venue. Proceeds benefit the Senator Theatre's operations and preservation efforts.

SATURDAY, February 14th - Acoustic Love Songs and Other Traumas

Ken Kolodner duo
Smooth Kentucky (bluegrass)
Ellen Cherry (trio)
ilyAIMY duo
The Swing States Road Show
Baltimore Songwriters - John Seay, Sahffi, Paul Iwancio, Mike McFadden

Gourmet vegetarian fare provided by Harvey Shugarman, owner of Harvey's Kitchen

The complete performance schedule is up on www.myspace.com/leajones2

SUNDAY, February 15th - Left Bank Jazz Revisited

The Michael Raitzyk Trio
Ebony & Irony
Nasar Abadey Quartet
Be Mo Jazz Ensemble

SUNDAY, February 15th - The Psychedelic, Post-VD Massacre Cleanup

Drum Circle: Bring a drum to play, and get one ticket for the price of two! (Just Kidding) Bring a drum and get to jam out with The Senator's own Tom Kiefaber and members of TELESMA.

Adrian Bond: Electronica/Drum & Bass/Trip Hop
www.myspace.com/adrianbond
Also including excerpts from his upcoming new soundtrack to METROPOLIS performed in front of giant projections of segments from the movie!

TELESMA:
www.myspace.com/telesma
Blending ancient and modern instrumentation and spirit, the Baltimore-based group Telesma bridges the gap between primal and futuristic. Setting themselves apart with their intoxicating sound and extraordinary live performances, they take the audience on a soul inspiring journey that transcends this world, tantalizes the senses, and moves the body with waves of pulsating rhythm.
"To experience Telesma live is to become part of the show. More than just music, it's a swirling, whirling, twirling event... it's extremely hard not to become involved in the swaying, hypnotic rhythms that pour forth from the stage." - Michael Macey of the Chesapeake Music Guide

For all you musicians out there, there is also a special commemorative guitar being auctioned on e-bay to benefit the Senator Theatre. Here's a message from the "Friends of the Senator Theatre" group on Facebook:

Subject: 1-of-a-Kind "Senator Theatre" Paul Reed Smith (PRS) SE One Guitar Auction!

Are you a musician? Do you know one?

For the musician who desires a no frills approach to get his music across, this vintage inspired SE One has:

* Singlecut, mahogany body
* 25″ scale length
* 22 fret mahogany wide fat neck
* Rosewood fretboard
* Moon inlays
* PRS designed stoptail, pickguard
* One Soapbar pickup & one volume control
* Cordura gig bag included.
AND
EXCLUSIVE to this SINGLE EDITION:
* Custom "Senator Theatre" commemorative body design with hand signature of Paul Reed Smith!

Go HERE to bid.

The Senator Sessions

The weekend of concerts at the Senator Theatre on February 13, 14th, and 15th appears to be shaping up nicely. In a February 2 press release, Sean Brescia of Manifesto Promotions, the promoter organizing the concert weekend, is quoted:

"We set out to demonstrate some new uses and audiences for this historic landmark. People have known about the Senator's ongoing financial troubles for some time now, but this is about the community stepping up to show the city, and even a national audience, that the Senator and irreplaceable arts and entertainment assets like it around the country are worthy of public and private support to preserve and transition them to new uses for the future."

Organizers are continuing to add to the bill, but the press release currently describes the several separate events as follows:

THE SENATOR SESSIONS - A New Generation of Entertainment for a Baltimore Landmark


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13


Save the Senator: A Baltimore Revue

Music and the Arts Converge for a Cause

Live at the Senator Theatre

Doors 8PM


From historic movie house to entertainment showplace - The Payola Reserve, Wye Oak, US Royalty, the John Hardy Boys, and local radio legends Rob Timm and Alex Cortright (WRNR) have teamed up to help save the historic Senator Theatre. Join them and more for an evening of live music, film and performances and help preserve and transform this Baltimore landmark into a premier live entertainment venue. Proceeds benefit the Senator Theatre's operations and preservation efforts. Tickets available now at www.MissionTix.com.

Show Details


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14


Acoustic Love Songs and Other Comedies

2-7PM


Featuring: a Song Circle of Baltimore Songwriters John Seay, Sahffi and Paul Iwancio; the Ellen Cherry Trio; the Ken Kolodner Duo; the Ily Aimy duo; Smooth Kentucky; and the Swing States Road Show.


SUNDAY BRUNCH, FEBRUARY 15


Left Bank Jazz Revisited


A tribute to Baltimore's Left Bank Jazz Society of the 60's and 70's, featuring guitarist Michael Raitzyk, Ebony & Irony (a duet of vocalist Joyce Scott and pianist Lorraine L. Whittlesey), and the Craig Alston Ensemble (saxophonist Craig Alston, pianist Todd Simon and friends).


SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 15


The Psychedelic, Post-VD Massacre Cleanup/Benefit

7PM-12AM


Come see the already mind-bending critically acclaimed TELESMA, playing in front of trippy, 30 foot high digital projections in the Senator's beautiful theater IN 6.1 SURROUND SOUND! The evening will feature a community drum circle, and local jam bands Adrian Bond and Telesma.

This is sounding like an amazing weekend!