Let’s face it here in America our history is limited. I mean sure, you can trace your roots back to the Egyptians on the Internet but that doesn’t make our cultural nest egg here in the states nearly as significant as those of the pyramids. Of course the Native Americans had a rich ethos and spiritual depth that we could’ve cherished and protected but their way of life so threatened ours that we destroyed it as quickly as we could with the exception of allowing them to have those precious casinos. That’s what we typically do here to things we don’t find useful or current any longer, we wipe them off the face of the earth faster then you can say Yankee’s Stadium.
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That’s why I’m writing this (blog type rant) because we are about to lose yet another National treasure… The Senator Theater in Baltimore Maryland. This historic single-screen Art Deco Movie Theater was completed in 1939 and has been family owned for 69 years. It is breath taking, terrazzo floors, art deco murals, multi-colored glass bricks that serve as the backdrop to a classic neon sign, and a huge golden curtain that opens to reveal an era of film appreciation that has long been forgotten. The Senator Theater was added to the National Resister of Historic Places in 1989 but is (RIGHT NOW) in danger of falling into the wrong hands and ultimately becoming yet another soul-less mini mall type breeding ground for a large mouse that has a passion for pizza, video games and cheap beer.
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A fundraising event starting this Friday February 13 and continuing through the 15th is scheduled to help save this gem of Americana. There will be several local bands, food, and entertainment so please go to http://www.senator.com/ to get all of the information you need to help preserve this beautiful example of the art deco architecture.
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Why do I care? Because I’ve seen it, I’ve walked through it’s sacred halls, I love it and I want my daughter to see it, wonder through it in awe, and love it as I do someday soon. I want to help save it - by making sure the current owner Tom Kiefaber (who’s family has owned it for 69 years) has a say in it’s preservation and can pay the bills necessary to help it in it’s transition to becoming a non-profit that will allow The Senator to remain safe in the hands of the people, to live for generations to come, so that their children’s children can relish in it’s beauty.
.. ..The Senator has supported countless charities throughout it’s existence and now it is time for us to give back to her. I had the pleasure of visiting this Mecca of Film on a tour I made while promoting my directorial debut The Tripper. Here are some photos of that time, I hope you enjoy them and PLEASE help save this Historic Theater.
