The BDC Advisory Panel did meet yesterday, just a day after the public meeting, but apparently at least one more meeting will be necessary before their recommendation to the BDC board can be made.

While it is true that we (FoTS) have a member representing us on the panel, Laura Perkins, confidentiality rules have restricted what she can tell even us!

What she could say is that:

• No decision could be made as to which of the 4 proposal plans the panel should be recommend to the BDC
• At least one more meeting will be needed. The date is not yet known.
• Questions, comments & opinions can, therefore, still be submitted, but should be done ASAP

So, keep using the list of Advisory Panel members we posted yesterday to keep your communications flowing to the people that best represent your feelings, community, etc.!

We favor the WTMD/Towson University plan. It includes the community-based, multipurpose arts, education & entertainment programming and non-profit ownership we’ve been advocating for over a year now. That said, we’d feel more comfortable if they could say they have historic theatre experts at the ready to assist with their planned “historically sensitive renovations”.

The plan presented by the Cuzacks (known for The Charles Theatre) is closest to what The Senator was and we wish it could always be, but we believe trying to keep it as a 1st run movie house (you heard right, they do not plan to make The Senator another “art film” house)  is no longer a viable business model for the last historic single-screen theatre in Baltimore. And, adding a couple of eateries, we don’t believe, can make up for that or regain droves of customers (There are plenty of great eateries within yards of The Senator already).

The record of successful, surviving historic theatres in the US shows the best model (if not backed by a major theatre chain) is like that presented by WTMD/TU.

Updated: Jan 7th, 7:50 am (Catherine Evans’ representation & contact link + news links)

Tom Harris (a FoTS Ambassador) shares some brief comments on last night’s meeting (feel free to add your own!), below. And, as promised, here is the list of representatives on the BDC’s Advisory Panel (and contact links if we can find them), so everyone can contact them with their opinions and/or questions on the four proposals. Cast your vote in our new poll while you’re at it (scroll down & look to your right)!

BDC Advisory Panel members :

Laura Thul Penza (Senator Community Trust)

Catherine Evans (Belvedere Improvement Association)

Michele LeFaivre (Elsinore Village)

Karen DeKamp (York Road Partnership)

Rick Swanson (Govanstowne Business Assoc.)

Bill Gilmore (Baltimore Promotion & the Arts)

Carla Nelson (BDC and Mayor’s Office of Women & Minority Business Development)

Larry Jenkins (Baltimore City Law Dept.)

Karen Noonan (Theatre Historical Society of America)

Laura Perkins (Friends of The SENATOR)

Questions regarding the RFP process can be directed to
Kristen Mitchell
at the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) at
410-779-3837
or
kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com.

Proposal (Respondents):

The Lofts at The Senator (J.R. Owens Corporation)

Tom Harris (FoTS Ambassador): As stated at the Jan. 5th public meeting, he’s not interested in anything but saving the theatre and he believes that means building a mixture of apartments and retail space around the sides and back of the theatre to produce “new revenue streams”. Personally, I found the concept renderings detracted from the beauty of the theatre and frankly, as another attendee noted, this plan leaves out the heart of the matter and the theatre itself- what should go on inside the theatre.

The Senator Theatre, LLC (James & Kathleen Cusack)

T.Harris (FoTS): As much as I’ve loved seeing 1st run movies at The Senator and have dearly missed that, I cannot buy into the belief that, given the financial realities and contracts involved with 1st run exhibition, the Cusack’s would fare better than Keifaber. For that matter, recent news stories have shown that even the multiplexes have not been doing well! My fear is that in a few years time, we’ll be revisiting the threat of The Senator closing. I wish it otherwise, but I think a more viable plan is called for.

The Theatre Project PUPKIDS, Inc. (Noch-Noch Productions)

Tom Harris (FoTS): In short, while a well intended mission and open-arms policy toward a multitude of programming make this a nice idea, I don’t believe this plan, alone, would support the theatre’s future. There was simply not sufficient evidence of theatre management, scheduling or financial expertise given at the presentation.

WTMD at The Senator (Senator Theatre Redevelopmentl, LLC – Towson University)

Tom Harris (FoTS): I believe this plan to be the best fit for The Senator’s future. It adopts the vision that has proven itself time & again in other historic theatres across the country. That of a nonprofit-owned, community-based, multipurpose arts, education & entertainment venue. The diversified programming would attract more than just movie-goers (yes movies, including the occasional 1st run are included!) to North Baltimore, exposing local businesses to a multitude of potential new clientele. The biggest problem I see is overcoming what some residents fear is a “college-town invasion”, but those who paid attention to the sampled daily programming would see that it caters to a much wider audience. That said, I want to know more about the intended “historically-sensitive renovations” and if they have financing firmly in place to undertake the task, as this was not convincingly answered during the public presentation Q & A.

Editor’s note: Mr. Harris is employed by TU (not by WTMD) and has had no input whatsoever in the WTMD/TU proposal.

Please feel free to comment!

News Links:

• SAVING THE SENATOR — Four proposals to keep the movies playing at Baltimore’s historic Art Deco palace by Alan Z. Forman – Investigative Voice
• City panel reviewing Senator proposals by Rachel Bernstein – Baltimore Business Journal
• 4 propose ways to keep Senator Theatre going by Joseph Burris – Baltimore Sun

We can’t encourage people strongly enough

Be at The Senator tonight for the meeting at 6:30pm!

All four respondents to the BDC’s RFP will be on hand to make a brief presentation of their plans for the future of Baltimore’s last historic single-screen theatre.

The Lofts at The Senator (J.R. Owens Corporation)
The Senator Theatre, LLC (James & Kathleen Cusack)
The Theatre Project PUPKIDS, Inc. (Noch-Noch Productions)
WTMD at The Senator (Senator Theatre Redevelopmentl, LLC - Towson University)

You will have an opportunity to ask questions!

This is probably your best chance ever to have an influence on the future of this 70 year old landmark!

Speak now or live with the consequences

Doors will open at 6pm

Let leaders on the BDC Advisory Panel know your opinion regarding the best plan:

Michele LeFaivre (Elsinore Village)
Karen DeKamp (York Road Partnership)
Rick Swanson (Govanstowne Business Assoc.)
Bill Gilmore (Baltimore Promotion & the Arts)
Carla Nelson (BDC and Mayor’s Office of Minority/Women’s Business)
Larry Jenkins (Baltimore City Law Dept.)
Karen Noonan (Theatre Historical Society of America)
Laura Perkins (Friends of The SENATOR)

If you have any questions regarding this meeting,
contact Kristen Mitchell at the Baltimore
Development Corporation at
410-779-3837
or
kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com.

For the yet undecided…

Friends of The Senator
presents

A free impromptu celebration of the New Year
Beginning at 10:30 pm New Year’s Eve

The Dark Side of Oz

Two legendary classics come together this evening with a synched, visual presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” on screen, accompanied by Pink Floyd’s legendary album, “The Dark Side of the Moon” in mesmerizing, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

The entire presentation runs 45 minutes.

After a brief celebration at Midnight…

Rhythm Devils

We hit the screen with the Rhythm Devils multimedia concert experience, starring Planet Rhythm’s Mickey Hart and Bill “The Drummer” Kreutzmann, both of the Grateful Dead.

It’s a 90 minute digital concert journey through an undulating series of primal polyrhythms. Bring some drums and shakers if you have some, and don’t forget your dancing shoes!

Please help us spread the last-minute word about tonight’s FREE New Year’s Eve Dark Side of Oz experience @ The Senator, followed by a participatory drum jam along with the Rhythm Devils on screen…cranked up through The Senator’s state of the art sound system.

New Year’s Celebration Starts 10:30 PM

Admission FREE

Free encore screenings on Saturday night, January 2nd
starting at 11 PM

Updated Jan. 1, 2010 – “Each respondent will have 10 minutes to present, and then we will have Q&A for that particular proposal.  General Q&A and comments will be taken at the end of the meeting.” – Kristen Mitchell, BDC

- JANUARY 5, 2010 @ 6PM -

Join us at The SENATOR when the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) presents
a Public Meeting on the future of the theatre!  

The purpose of this meeting is to give the public the
opportunity to hear from the groups which
responded to the Senator Theatre
Request for Proposals (RFP). 

The Lofts at The Senator (J.R. Owens Corporation)
The Senator Theatre, LLC (James & Kathleen Cusack)
The Theatre Project PUPKIDS, Inc. (Noch-Noch Productions)
WTMD at The Senator (Senator Theatre Redevelopmentl, LLC - Towson University)

 If you have any questions regarding this meeting,
contact Kristen Mitchell at the Baltimore
Development Corporation at
410-779-3837
or
kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com. 

Admission is FREE
Doors open at 6PM
Meeting begins at 6:30PM 

Anyone with any interest in the future of this historic landmark should attend.
Spread the word and we’ll see you there!

Join us Friday, January 1st
at 8:00 pm

Friends of The Senator
present:

A Senator Sessions Tribute to
Pink Floyd
&
Neil Young

featuring:

Echoes

ECHOES faithfully recreates the sounds and sights
of the live Pink Floyd experience.
Come hear the reverently reproduced sounds
of the Floyd with vintage guitars and synthesizers,
and an obsession for perfection.

&

Jeff Taylor

& The Prairie Rust Band

JEFF TAYLOR and the PRAIRIE RUST BAND perform
acoustic and electric versions of songs by legendary
songwriter Neil Young. Jeff Taylor’s vocal nuances are
similar to Young’s, and the group includes male and
female backing vocalists, acoustic and electric guitars,
pedal steel guitar, banjo, piano, organ, violin,
harmonica, bass, and drums.

Doors open – 8:00 pm
Music starts – 9:30 pm

Tickets $15 at the door

* * * * *

Mark your calendar!
Join us Tuesday, January 5th at 6:00 pm

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC)
announces:

Senator Theatre
Public Meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to give the public the
opportunity to hear from the groups which
responded to the Senator Theatre
Request for Proposals (RFP).

If you have any questions regarding this meeting,
contact Kristen Mitchell at the Baltimore
Development Corporation at 410-779-3837
or kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com.

Doors open – 6:00 pm
Meeting starts – 6:30 pm

Admission is Free

YES, we are open!
We’ve dug out and
Sunday shows are on!

UPDATED: December 14, 2009 (E-mail text from Kristen Mitchell of the BDC – below)

We’ve had word from the BDC and Tom Kiefaber (who has continued to present programming at The Senator, at the request of city government while the RFP process plays out) that a public meeting to present and discuss the four SENATOR proposals, will be held the evening of January 5, 2010.

The time has not yet been nailed down, so we’ll update everyone when we know for sure.

We expect there will be representatives of each proposal on hand and hope folks will have an opportunity to present questions.

We encourage everyone concerned to mark your calendars now and clear that evening!

Developing…

In the meantime,
don’t forget to spread the word about the
holiday events taking place this weekend
and next – including the 19th Annual Food Drive!

===   12-14-2009 UPDATE   ===

Senator Theatre

Public Meeting

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

6:30 p.m.

Senator Theatre

5904 York Road

Baltimore, MD 21212

The purpose of this meeting is to give the public the opportunity to hear from the groups which responded to the Senator Theatre Request for Proposals (RFP).   If you have any questions regarding this meeting, contact Kristen Mitchell at the Baltimore Development Corporation at 410-779-3837 or kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com.

Kristen Mitchell

Senior Economic Development Officer

Commercial Revitalization

Baltimore Development Corporation

36 S. Charles Street, Suite 1600

Baltimore, MD 21201-3015

kmitchell@baltimoredevelopment.com

Phone: 410-837-9305

Direct: 410-779-3837

Fax: 410-837-6363

www.baltimoredevelopment.com

December will be magic at The SENATOR!

A beloved classic for Chanukah!

Join us this weekend
Friday, December 11th
through
Sunday, December 13th

Shout it from the rooftops!

Friends of The Senator
present:

A Norman Jewison Film

Fiddler on the Roof

(1971 – 3 hrs)

Michael Sragow – Baltimore Sun

Starring:
Chaim Topol, Norma Crane,
Leonard Frey, Molly Picon & Paul Mann

Presented with a rare collector’s “roadshow” film print
featuring a four-track “mag” stereo soundtrack.

Friday, December 11th – 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 12th – 3:00 pm
Sunday, December 13th – 3:00 pm

Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, “Fiddler on the Roof”
tells the story of Tevye, a milkman who struggles to
raise his daughters in a world that is quickly
changing around his traditional Jewish community.

Tickets $6

* * *

And make your plans for next weekend:

Ring in The Holidays at The Senator
&
Benefit a Valuable Community Resource!

Friends of The Senator
present:

Our 19th Annual Food Drive to benefit
The GEDCO CARES Food Pantry

Featuring Two Beloved Holiday Classics

Frank Capra’s Heart-Warming 1946 Masterpiece

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

(1946 – 130min)

Starring:
James Stewart, Donna Reed,
Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell,
Henry Travers & Beulah Bondi

Friday, December 18th – 8:00 pm

Saturday, December 19th
3:15 & 8:00 pm

Sunday, December 20th
3:15 pm & 8:00 pm

Christmas Day, December 25th
3:15 pm & 8:00 pm

An angel helps a compassionate but despairing,
frustrated businessman by showing what life would
have been like if he never existed.

&

The 1951 Classic

“A Christmas Carol”

(90min)

Starring:
Alastair Sim
&
Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley,
Frances De Wolff & Michael Hordern

Friday, December 18th – 6:00 pm

Saturday, December 19th
1:15 pm & 6:00 pm

Sunday, December 20th
1:15 pm & 6:00 pm

Christmas Day, December 25th
1:15 pm & 6:00 pm

Admission to the double-feature is
$6 worth of non-perishable food items
and/or
$6 at the box-office.

* * *

See senator.com
for even more film & music events like

Saturday, December 12
Senator Sessions Xmas Party Concert

Friends of The Senator
and Eat Your Neighbors
present:

Bands on the Main Stage:

Better Without You

&

The Mishaps

&

The Expotentials

&

The Mayan Factor

&

Morella

Eat Your Neighbors

And
In the Outer Lobby:

Dukes of Jazz

(7 pm – 8 pm)

DJ Jeff Hurn

And
Featuring the World Premiere of

An Eat Your Neighbors

Christmas Story

A 20 minute film inspired by actual events

Click here to watch the trailer for the film.

Doors 7:00 pm

Tickets $15 at the door

Patrons must be 21 years of age or older to purchase
alcoholic beverages.The Senator seats 900 and ample tickets will
be available at showtime.

Friends of The Senator Present:

Come Join Us Friday, December 4th
for a red carpet premiere evening!

Baltimore native Johnny Alonso’s action packed movie
SAFEHOUSE makes its Baltimore Premiere!
Watch the video promo here!

Tread the Red Carpet with Baltimore’s famous faces,
Johnny Alonso (Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill),
Jonathan Ruckman (The Wire), Sheila Cutchlow (The Wire),
MMA Fighter/Stuntman Orlando Gonzales (Smalltimore)
and many many more local actor faves.

The show’s co-stars include Thomas Calabro (Melrose
Place) and Robert Miano (Donnie Brasco, Sopranos).

Actors, Actresses, and Models: bring your resumes
and headshots! Local Directors, Producers, casting
Directors galore will be in attendance.

Please dress to impress for this Glam Event!

Reception 7:00 pm
Screening 8:00 pm

Movie Admission $10

Stay over for the After Party!

Movie and Party Admission $20

Click here for additional information
and VIP price levels.