Work is ongoing to restore the city's historic Monarch Theatre to its "glory days," as the Monarch 1911 Society readies launch of its Taking her back to 1941 campaign.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
Expect to see scaffolding around the Monarch Theatre this spring as the Monarch 1911 Society continues to restore the historic downtown movie theatre after it was acquired by the nonprofit late last year.
The society was handed the keys to the 112-year-old theatre in November after raising $100,000 for its purchase from the city, and started work to restore the motion picture house to its former “glory days.”
In May the society is kicking off a major fundraising campaign to help restore the 560-seat theatre back to the way it looked in 1941 by hosting two musical retrospective concerts in the theatre on Mother’s Day.
The campaign titled “Taking her back to 1941” is set to kick off May 12 with tribute acts for iconic songwriters Simon and Garfunkel, as well as John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Money raised will fund immediate repairs that need to be completed in the front facade, major repairs to the roof and a fresh coat of paint to match the same colour used back in 1941, as well as upgrades to the sound system.
“We’re going to be doing the interior first,” explains Gary Franz with the Monarch 1911 Society. “Then we do have to work on the roof and such later, but once we have the interior done and the front done the experience can start. You can start enjoying the experience inside while we work on the outside.”
The Monarch has already hosted actives since reopening in December, including the premiere of the local documentary based on the theatre “Your Cinema Needs You,” and last week held an event to honour the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
This year various community groups are already planning to utilize the space to host events, movie screenings and birthday parties.
The society says long-term plans for the theatre once renovations have been completed involve a transition to a staffed operational model with less reliance on volunteers.
The society hopes to use profits for the operation for a legacy fund that will support future repairs and to open arts and cultural grants to members or groups in the community.
Tickets for the “Taking her back to 1941” concert series on May 12 will cost $75 for each concert, of which $40 will generate a charitable receipt.
A tribute to Simon and Garfunkel begins at 2 p.m., and Lennon and McCarney’s tribute show begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the Monarch box office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or by phone at 403-526-2603, or email at friendsofthemonarch@gmail.com.
