Fundraising by the Friends of the Historic Patricia Theatre Society to support the digital conversion of Patricia Theatre has reached $49,000 as of April 16, according to Amy Sharp, president.
“Community support has been absolutely fantastic so far,” she said. “We’ve reached our target of $45,000, which is 50 per cent of the necessary $90,000, ahead of our mid-April goal, and have already made the down payment deposit with the supplier.”
A “1,000 People at $90” campaign was quickly launched on YouTube, with some fantastic footwork and creativity by Tony Papa and Powell River Digital Film School, said Sharp. “It has started to spread far beyond Canada and the United States,” she said.
Fundraising events are growing, Sharp added, including programs with businesses like Beyond Bliss and Quality Foods and community groups who have been planning benefit concerts at the Patricia and Evergreen Theatre at Powell River Recreation Complex. Society volunteers have coordinated other, grassroots projects, like garage sales and donation tins, Sharp also said.
The Patricia’s website has up-to-date information about upcoming concerts and events, as well as media coverage, including a sound clip of Sharp’s interview on CBC’s Early Edition on Easter Monday.
Next up is the Singers’ and Songwriters’ Benefit Concert on April 29, followed by Nancy Hollmann and Friends on May 13, Vidushi and Mara’s “Sunshine and Sand” Dance Event on May 26, Powell River Community Band’s Spring Concert, June 10 and a vaudeville and burlesque night for adults on June 23.
Although raising the second half of the digital conversion funds remains uppermost in terms of priorities for the society, there are more opportunities and challenges to be explored concurrently, said Sharp. “A full acoustic re-engineering of the auditorium is in the works for the next few weeks and should result in what the sound engineer says we will be able to proudly claim as the best sound experience on the coast, while retaining all the heritage ambience of this classic movie palace,” she said. “The Friends are also pursuing possibilities leading to the purchase of the building from First Credit Union and Ann and Brian Nelson, which would allow the society to pursue charitable status and permit them to issue charitable tax receipts for donations as well as achieving eligibility for various heritage preservation funds.”
The future for entertainment is limitless, said Sharp, with a 21st century projection and sound system, community ownership of the heritage building and the continuity for the community of an operating contract with the same people who have kept the Patricia alive and maintained for 10 years. “If anyone has been waiting to make their donation until they’re sure that it’s all going to happen, now is the moment to act and be part of this momentous leap into the next 100 years for the Patricia,” said Sharp.
