Community Corner

Concert and Other Fundraisers on Tap for Novato Theater

Campaign isn't letting up despite loss of its former director, Bernice Baeza. Volunteers hope to have the old movie house reopened by 2014.

There's no letting up on the mission to get the Novato Theater reopened once and for all.

Even with the recent , who led the campaign to purchase and renovate the movie house in Old Town that's been collecting dust since 1991, volunteers are accelerating outreach and fundraising efforts. A core group is determined to get the theater opened by 2014, but it all hinges on local fundraising.

“The best tribute that we can pay Bernice and her family is to continue with the direction she envisioned and restore the 'hometown' Novato Theater into a vibrant destination magnet for downtown,” wrote Jeanne MacLeamy, a member of the Novato City Council, in a tribute to Baeza.

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What's new?

* The nonprofit that bought the theater from the city says it has raised about $800,000 of the $3 million needed to get the theater reopened for a wide variety of events, including performing arts, live music, movies, comedy, speaking engagements and conferences. Board member June Haugen said hitting the $1.5 million mark in donations would trigger a deal with an architect to produce drawings for the revamped venue. Some structural assessments of the building, built in the mid-1940s, have been done already.

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* Fundraiser events that showcase the kind of performing arts that could be featured at a rejuvenated theater continue to take place and get planned.

* Donor recruiting events are being held in private homes to network with movers and shakers who could put the project on the fast track.

* A marketing committee has been formed to figure out the best ways to get the word out to the general public that the campaign is under way in full force.

"We will continue on the well-thought-out course of raising funds to redesign, rebuild and reopen the long-shuttered downtown theater," said Susan Bell-Warner, who is leading the marketing efforts.

Fundraiser events

On July 24, young performers from the Charisma Kid Theater starred in “Christmas in July,” an event held in Novato. The kids from , under the direction of Cindy Isaac, performed comedy and music and acted out tender moments from various Christmas-oriented plays and movies. The event sold out as have a few other showcase events at Ghiringhelli's that featured young Novato performers.

One year after raucous cover band , has been picked be the site for the theater project's second annual summer benefit concert on Aug. 26. It will take place from noon to 5 p.m. that day and musical acts will include:

* The Tickets Band, a dance-worthy rock, blues and funk group featuring Novato's Debra Clawson.

* The Amy Wigton Band, led by the soulful, original acoustic rock singer/songwriter from Novato

* 'Til Dawn, Youth in Arts' teen a cappella group that performs popular music in addition to original songs written by group members

* The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band, also known as the Sewer Band, a beloved and talented group that will perform music from popular movie soundtracks.

* Class of Brass, a dad/kid R&B band whose brass and percussion sections are comprised of talented high school students from Novato.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and free for kids 12 and under attending with a paying adult. A limited number of preferred reserved seats, with complimentary glass of beer or wine, are available for $50. Ticket sales and proceeds from all food and beverage sales will be donated directly to the theater, so no outside food or drink is being requested by the event organizers. For tickets visit www.novatotheater.net and click on the "brownpapertickets" button.

Donor recruiting events

Several private parties have been staged at homes around Novato to recruit people to become members of the theater's limited liability partnership, which guarantees a return on investment for investors who contribute large checks for the start-up effort. One was held last week at the home of Keith and Christine Greggor, and the attendees included business leaders, local lawmakers and board members of the LLC group, called Novato Screen Savers.

According to the group’s website, LLC members thus far are the Greggors, John and Alexandra Dickerman, Jack and Kathleen Gallivan, and George and Kele Gasparini.  and the County of Marin has contributed $150,000. Dozens of individuals and businesses have written checks for the nonprofit.

A Novato resident since 1998, Keith Greggor and business partner Tony Foglio bought Anchor Brewing of San Francisco in April 2010 and run the Griffin Group, which owns several other businesses in the spirits industry. Griffin Group serves as an investment bank for craft breweries and artisan spirits.

“I think the theater is vital to the downtown,” Greggor said. “Our schools and our community need an arts center. That’s what it really comes down to.”

If you think you know somebody who would be willing to contribute in a significant way, the nonprofit's organizers would love to speak with you.

Marketing efforts

This week marks the first meeting of a new marketing committee, coordinated by Marty Rubino of in Bel Marin Keys.

Rubino, former publisher of the , said the committee would be made up of professionals in various communications fields volunteering their time.

"Our goal is to find ways to move the project forward," Rubino said.


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