If you have never been to the Tampa Theatre you are missing out on a great experience. This is one of the advantages of living in Seminole Heights is how close so many great places are.
MUSIC FROM THE INSIDE OUT
TAMPA THEATRE
One Night Only!
Wednesday, March 8
Doors/Bar @ 7:30 pm | Show @ 8pm
"(This) profound and moving documentary captures the power of the creative process in an uncommonly perceptive and inspiring way. A crowd-pleaser, emotionally, musically, and intellectually." -Laura Kern, New York Times
Filmed over a period of five years on three continents, Music From the Inside Out is the result of a unique collaboration between the filmmaker and the 105 musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The film breaks down the barriers that have long separated orchestra musicians and their audiences, and gets to the essence of the magic and the mystery of music itself. Incorporating a blend of well-loved musical works - including classical, jazz, bluegrass, salsa, and world music - the film features one of the most eclectic soundtracks of any recent documentary.
History of the Tampa Theatre (taken from their website)
Built in 1926 as one of America 's most elaborate “movie palaces”, the Tampa Theatre today is a fiercely protected and generously supported landmark. Designed by famed theatre architect John Eberson, the Tampa is a superior example of the “atmospheric” style of theatre design. Inside the Tampa , audiences are transported to a lavish, romantic Mediterranean courtyard replete old world statuary, flowers, and gargoyles. Over it all is a nighttime sky replete with twinkling stars and floating clouds.
Like other new movie palaces around the country, the Tampa Theatre was enormously popular. For the first time in history, the common person had access to opulence on a scale never before imagined. For 10 cents, they could escape into a fantasy land for two hours, see first class entertainment, and be treated like royalty by uniformed platoons of ushers and attendants. By the end of the 1920's, over 90 million Americans were going to the movies every week.
For several decades, the Tampa remained a jewel and the centerpiece of Tampa 's cultural landscape. People grew up, stole their first kisses in the balcony, followed the weekly newsreels, and celebrated life week after week by coming back to the Tampa .
But by the 1960's and 70's, times had changed. America 's flight to suburbs was having a damaging effect on downtown business districts across the country. Hardest hit were the downtown movie palaces which dotted America's urban landscapes. Audiences dwindled and costs rose. Many of our nation's finest movie palaces were quickly demolished before anyone noticed because the land beneath them became more valuable than the theatre operation.
In 1973, the Tampa Theatre faced the same fate. But in Tampa citizens rallied. Committees were formed. City leaders became involved, and soon a deal was reached to have the City rescue the Tampa by assuming its leases. The Arts Council of Hillsborough County agreed to program and manage the Tampa with films, concerts and special events. By the time the Theatre reopened in early 1978, the Tampa had become something of a national model on how to save an endangered theatre.
Today, Tampa Theatre is a remarkable success story, presenting and hosting over 600 events a year. With a full schedule of first run and classic films, concerts, special events, corporate events and tours, the theatre is one of the most heavily utilized venues of its kind in the United States.
Since its reopening, over 2 million guests have enjoyed film events, over 800,000 have attended concerts, and over 700,000 elementary children have enjoyed professional touring theatre productions in the context of one of Tampa 's largest historic preservation projects.
Private support is critical to the Theatre's continued success and service to the community. In spite of its successes, the Theatre only earns about 65 % of its annual operating budget through earned income. The non-profit Tampa Theatre Foundation helps to make up difference by through memberships, special fundraising events, sponsorships and planned giving programs.
Tampa Theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is a Tampa City Landmark, and is a member of the League of Historic American Theatres."
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