We really hope so! This week, with Valentine's Day as our quiet kickoff, the lovely staff at the Byrd Theatre will be asking movie attendees if they would like to make a donation to the Byrd Theatre Foundation. Any little bit helps - $1, $5, $50!
The Byrd Theatre Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring this amazing Richmond landmark. The Foundation really needs your help to raise the necessary funds to renovate the theater. Yes, we know the seats are uncomfortable! But we also have to upgrade all the un-fun, expensive stuff, like the HVAC system, the electrical system, and plumbing. The Mighty Wurlitzer organ needs significant attention. We must repair damage to the ornamental plaster. We want to upgrade the concession area and replace the carpet. And yes, Richmond, we WILL eventually replace the seats!
Richmond, the movie operations do NOT raise money to fund the Foundation's mission. The movie operation is a break-even exercise. The movies make enough money to pay the light bill, to pay all the hard-working and dedicated staff members, and to make necessary upgrades to the operational side of the business - like a digital server. And raising ticket prices won't solve the problem. A large percentage of the ticket income goes right back to the movie distributors. Besides, we believe the Byrd Theatre experience should be available to everyone for a very modest price. There aren't many places where you can take a family of four out on a Friday night for under $20.
[Movie tickets: $8. Two drinks: $6. Large Popcorn: $3.50. Seeing Bob Gulledge play the Might Wurlitzer organ live on a Saturday night at Richmond's Grand Movie Palace, and then catching "Mega Mind" with your significant other and the kids: Priceless].
So...if you're going to see "Harry Potter" or "Burlesque" this week, please consider making a donation. And if you're not attending the movies this week, we'd still love for you to show us how much you "Love the Byrd!" Please feel free to contact the Foundation at thebtf@gmail.com or me directly at melissasavenko@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your support of this amazing Richmond landmark.
Comments