Tale of Two Theaters
The Pettys know first hand how tough the concert business can be: They’re involved in the Eureka Concert Series, and recently helped put on a show featuring an international touring group, Spanish Brass. “We rented the Arkley Center, it cost us around $2,100 with their technicians, and we paid thousands for the Spanish Brass,” said Charles. “We ended up not getting a very big crowd, and we actually lost money. It’s a scary thing when you’re putting that much out up front. You have to pack the place to make your profit. It’s a big risk.”
Advancing the Eureka’s restoration is not going to come cheap. Estimates for the roof alone come to $135,000. When Wendy puts on her accounting hat and adds up costs for all the things they’d like to see, she comes up with a figure around $3 million. “That’s acres of carpet, having the seats restored, getting a new screen, new walls, everything.”
All involved in the re-energized all-volunteer board feel like they’ve made progress in the last couple of years. “When we started in 2006, I think there was $1,550 in the account,” said Charles. “We’ve built it up to around $40,000 in a few years.” Of course that’s less than a third of the money needed for the roof. The board has talked with banks. “We could get a loan, but the terms aren’t very good right now,” Charles noted.
“At some point, I honestly believe that a big grant or a large funder will appear,” said a hopeful Kuhnel. “There’s so much critical mass to attract their attention.”
^^^^^
At the Arcata, five years of waiting is about to come to an end and there are many loose ends to tie up. “Our grand opening is April 3, so it’s not far off. We’ll have two soft openings first to get our kitchen, our servers and security all ironed out.”
Cox describes the kitchen fare as “fusion pub food — entertainment food that goes with beer, wine and sodas,” including Indian samosas and calzone. “People will come in and get their food from the concession stand just like in a normal movie theater, except it’s more than just popcorn and candy. You can actually have a meal.”
Food in hand, patrons will enter the theatre/lounge, either to hear music or to watch a film. The old theater seats have been removed, replaced with tables and chairs.
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent on the cover
May 17
Ring of Fire
Sun and moon will perform a rare pas de deux in Humboldt skies on Sunday
May 10
District Soup
Racing for the top county seat in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts
May 3
A Place in the Woods
As park closure deadline nears, a scramble to save what we can
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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FOUR Comments
Comment / By Shoshanna / March 31, 2009, 11:08 p.m.
Thanks for the great story. Congratulations to both venues for getting great things happening in our area!
Comment / By Shoshanna / March 31, 2009, 11:08 p.m.
Thanks for the great story. Congratulations to both venues for getting great things happening in our area!
Comment / By Former eureka volunteer / April 12, 2009, 6:26 p.m.
It would be great for sure if Wendy and chuck would allow anyone they want to volunteer there. I was one of the original volunteers at the Eureka and Sweasey theaters. When I asked about volunteering again, she laughed, said no, and made some sort of comment about bombing the place. Bottom line is that she doesn’t want any of the original volunteers to help out with this place. There’s one big thing wrong with this theater, its got a board. Anything with a board is certain to have problems.
Comment / By JCL / July 15, 2009, 10:46 a.m.
Correction please: the architect for this theatre and many others thruout north and central California was William B. David, (not Davis).
I initially met Mr.David when I was in my teens working at a theatre in Sacramento. I later managed theatres owned by Richard Mann, (son of Geo. Mann, founder of Redwood Theatres) who had a history of using Mr. David as their architect. He designed some beautiful ‘movie palaces’ over many years.