October 6, 2017
Dear Friend of the Rialto Theater:
Many positive things have been happening to the Rialto Theater in Florence, Colorado.. We want to keep our donors and friends like you informed of our progress with our historic theater. Below please find the latest since our last newsletter.
Fundraising News
An anonymous donor recently gave the Rialto Theater a check for $10,200. This money will really help our goal of totally finishing the first floor of the theater. Thank you so much!
Florence citizen and big supporter of the Rialto Theater, Larry Lasha, recently donated $1,000. towards our renovation project. Thanks so much, Larry!
A Chili’s Breakfast/Payback was held on 4 Mondays during the month of May. We received a check for $600 from the fundraiser. Thank you, Chili’s!
Tom Bruno with Papa’s Pizza in Florence both wrote and directed a melodrama to help raise funds for our theater renovation. The play, “Ghost in the Political Machine” ran on August 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 and was a big success! The event raised more than $4,000! Thank you Tom!
The Rialto Theater hosted the Pioneer Day crowning of the parade’s King and Queen, Richard Miles and Shirley Weise. The Spirits of the Past also performed before and after the crowning. Good community event with nearly 100 people attending. Bar and admissions totaled more than $500!
Our theater raised funds by leasing the first floor of the theater to a wedding party. The wedding was held on August 5th and was a very successful event including a bar.
The Rialto Theater has been granted a series of special event liquor licenses for 2017. Long-term we intend to obtain a permanent license, which involves installing certain equipment that is required by the State of Colorado. The theater currently serves beer, wine, soft drinks, and concessions. This has become a very effective way for us to raise additional monies for our renovation.
The Fremont Civic Theatre has been scheduled to rent the theater for six performances of “Driving Miss Daisy” on March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, 2018 and “Exit Laughing” for April 20, 22, 22, 27, 28 and 29.
Board member Donna Murphy held a birthday party in Canon City for herself as a fundraiser for the Rialto Theater. Donna raised more than $2,100! Thank you, Donna!
We had a booth at the Sons of Italy venue and raised $70 selling the Italian cookbooks and donations.
Plans are underway between The Florence Chamber of Commerce and the Rialto Theater to host a New Year’s Eve event. It will be a dinner, dance and auction. Proceeds from ticket sales will be split between the Chamber and the Rialto.
A group of students from Florence High School are putting together a play and/or movie for the benefit of our theater.
Construction News
A number of projects have been completed since our last newsletter. They are:
- Architect Robert Armon has designed a new “storefront” for theater entrance, which includes two double commercial double glass doors and a ticket booth. The purpose of the storefront is to ensure that the theater has proper fire exit doors. It will also help to keep the weather out of the main entryway. Plans are to complete this project before the snow flies!
- An unexpected hole in the concrete in the theater’s entrance exposed a fairly massive empty hole under the concrete. The existing concrete was removed, the hole filled with dirt, and new concrete was poured and formed.
- Members of our Board of Directors have been working over the summer months, applying fresh coats of paint (and new colors!) to the theater’s front. The facade is really looking great!
- The theater’s interior exit ramp has been drywalled and is being finished as of this writing. Additionally, board member Ken Trusty built moveable stairs leading up to the center of the stage.
- Henry and Anna, owners of Ito Steakhouse and Sushi Restaurant in Florence, have generously donated a three-compartment sink to the theater. Installation of the sink is required prior to receiving a full liquor license. Thank you, Ito!
Board News
Board members Todd Williams and Ron Hinkle have been showing PowerPoint presentations pertaining to the Rialto Theater renovation to interested community groups including Sons of Italy and New Neighbors. These organizations are from both Canon City as well as Florence.
Theatre specialist R.C. Wilkins of Canon City has joined our board as a volunteer to help with the renovation as well as advise the board on various aspects of theatre live performance development. Stay tuned for more on the “Rialto Players”.
The Board of Directors is currently working with business consultant Alexis Lee to help develop a detailed business plan for the theater. Ms. Lee comes from the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center (SCBDC).
Other News
Board member Ken Trusty created the official “Rialtomobile” for special local events including Florence’s 4th of July Parade as well as Pioneer Day Parade, giving our theater lots of exposure to parade attendees.
How can YOU help?
Please consider making a generous donation to FACT- Rialto Theater. Your contribution of $200 or more will qualify for a Colorado State tax credit of 25%, and it will really help us complete the Rialto Theater Renovation project.
King Soopers/City Market card holders can donate to FACT (Florence Architectural and Cultural Traditions- AKA Rialto Theater). Just call the number on the back of your card and select “Community Care”. You will then receive instructions on how to select FACT to receive your community percentage.
If you shop on Amazon, please go to www.smile.amazon.com and sign up for a small piece of your purchases to go toward FACT- Rialto Theater.
Please consider becoming a “Friend of the Rialto”. For a minimum of $200 a year, or as little as $20 a month, you will become a Friend of the Rialto. This can be a recurring annual donation or an automatic monthly withdrawal from you checking or savings account.
Keep up with the News!
You can regularly keep up with all of the news regarding the historic Rialto Theater by going to the following sites:
www.facebook.com/rialtotheaterflorence
As always, thanks so much for being an important part of the historic Rialto Theater!
Sincerely,
Rialto Theater Board of Directors
Ron Hinkle – President, Todd Williams – Vice President, Larry Baker – Project Chair,
Marty Burleson – Secretary, Donna Murphy – Archives, Steve Steele – Project Committee,
Ken Trusty – Project Committee, Kathy Seidling.-.Treasurer
