Saturday, August 2, 2008
Varsity News
Here's the latest email from the Stage Company soliciting help at the Varsity:
Dear Everyone,
Been busy much? Us too. The plumbers, electricians, salvage haulers, etc., have been plying their trades at the Varsity Center for the Arts. Among our many volunteers, the cleaners and sorters and tally-ers are still cleaning and sorting and tallying, while the builders are still building.
General work hours are still Wednesdays and Saturday mornings from 9-11, and the builders’ hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays-and-Saturdays from 9-3. (If you just want to drop by for a look around, Weds & Sats are your best bet. Because unlike everyone else, I am always glad to stop working and talk.)
We’ve uncovered most of the terrazo in the restrooms, and might be able to reclaim most of it. Sweet!
What you can’t help but notice in the east theater this week if you should drop by: the floor of the (nonsloping) scene shop has been framed out by our volunteer carpenters, including Bill Crain, Stuart Saken, Lee Brackett, and Loren Cocking. A thirty foot firewall goes up between it and the seats, and the stage goes in front of that. (Audiences won’t ever see or give the scene shop a thought, but we’ll all know it’s there.)
What to do this weekend because it’s too hot to be outside anyway: Go see the musical “Little Women” at McLeod. It’s how to cap a Carbondale summer.
Cathy Field
549-1409
Dear Everyone,
Been busy much? Us too. The plumbers, electricians, salvage haulers, etc., have been plying their trades at the Varsity Center for the Arts. Among our many volunteers, the cleaners and sorters and tally-ers are still cleaning and sorting and tallying, while the builders are still building.
General work hours are still Wednesdays and Saturday mornings from 9-11, and the builders’ hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays-and-Saturdays from 9-3. (If you just want to drop by for a look around, Weds & Sats are your best bet. Because unlike everyone else, I am always glad to stop working and talk.)
We’ve uncovered most of the terrazo in the restrooms, and might be able to reclaim most of it. Sweet!
What you can’t help but notice in the east theater this week if you should drop by: the floor of the (nonsloping) scene shop has been framed out by our volunteer carpenters, including Bill Crain, Stuart Saken, Lee Brackett, and Loren Cocking. A thirty foot firewall goes up between it and the seats, and the stage goes in front of that. (Audiences won’t ever see or give the scene shop a thought, but we’ll all know it’s there.)
What to do this weekend because it’s too hot to be outside anyway: Go see the musical “Little Women” at McLeod. It’s how to cap a Carbondale summer.
Cathy Field
549-1409
Labels: Varsity Theater
Friday, July 25, 2008
Varsity Update
Email from Cathy field:
Dear Everyone,
I hope you’re enjoying the good publicity we’ve been getting for the Varsity Center for the Arts. Didn’t you think Jack Langowski—chair of the VCA development board—looked especially dashing on the front page of the Southern Illinoisan today?
Jack mentioned this briefly at the public meeting last night, and it’s not news to most members of the Stage Company and Carbondale Community Arts, but here’s a complete list of the VCA development board members. These are the people who have volunteered their time to guide the development and direction of this important community asset, and we are all very grateful for their efforts:
Armen Asaturian
Mayor Brad Cole
David Coracy
Catherine Field
William C. Hinde
P. Michael Kimmel, Esq.
Dr. John F. Langowski, Jr.
Dr. Peter J. Pirmann
President Glen W. Poshard
Jo Poshard
Dr. Marsha Ryan
Stephen Schauwecker
Dr. Blanche Carlton Sloan
At the Varsity this week, we’re continuing to find areas where a little “light demolition” (Jack’s phrase) is needed. We’re scraping epoxy paint off masonry walls (a zen-like experience once you’re an adept) and chipping linoleum off the terrazzo flooring (not so much). Also, Mike Hanes has folks sorting movie posters and diagramming/inventorying all those hundreds of lightbulbs in the marquee, ultimately to be replaced with newer digital ones.
The builders have been framing out the dressing rooms at the northwest end of the building. General work hours continue to be 9-11 Wednesday & Saturday mornings, and the builders continue to keep to their Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday 9-3 schedule.
You may have seen the salvage workers haul away the old dead boiler from the basement this week, making more space available. Space is good.
Many people have inquired about opportunities to paint, of which there should be plenty. Once the drywallers have been in to mud & tape, we will be needing painters. Most definitely!
Cathy Field
549-1409
Dear Everyone,
I hope you’re enjoying the good publicity we’ve been getting for the Varsity Center for the Arts. Didn’t you think Jack Langowski—chair of the VCA development board—looked especially dashing on the front page of the Southern Illinoisan today?
Jack mentioned this briefly at the public meeting last night, and it’s not news to most members of the Stage Company and Carbondale Community Arts, but here’s a complete list of the VCA development board members. These are the people who have volunteered their time to guide the development and direction of this important community asset, and we are all very grateful for their efforts:
Armen Asaturian
Mayor Brad Cole
David Coracy
Catherine Field
William C. Hinde
P. Michael Kimmel, Esq.
Dr. John F. Langowski, Jr.
Dr. Peter J. Pirmann
President Glen W. Poshard
Jo Poshard
Dr. Marsha Ryan
Stephen Schauwecker
Dr. Blanche Carlton Sloan
At the Varsity this week, we’re continuing to find areas where a little “light demolition” (Jack’s phrase) is needed. We’re scraping epoxy paint off masonry walls (a zen-like experience once you’re an adept) and chipping linoleum off the terrazzo flooring (not so much). Also, Mike Hanes has folks sorting movie posters and diagramming/inventorying all those hundreds of lightbulbs in the marquee, ultimately to be replaced with newer digital ones.
The builders have been framing out the dressing rooms at the northwest end of the building. General work hours continue to be 9-11 Wednesday & Saturday mornings, and the builders continue to keep to their Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday 9-3 schedule.
You may have seen the salvage workers haul away the old dead boiler from the basement this week, making more space available. Space is good.
Many people have inquired about opportunities to paint, of which there should be plenty. Once the drywallers have been in to mud & tape, we will be needing painters. Most definitely!
Cathy Field
549-1409
Labels: Varsity Theater
Friday, July 11, 2008
Stage Company and Varsity
The Stage Company STILL wants you:
A busy week, so this must be brief:
1. Come to the Varsity to work. Wednesdays & Saturdays from nine to eleven are the general volunteer work hours; the volunteer building crew works on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from nine to three.
2. Go to see “The Producers” at McLeod Theater, opening this weekend. Fun is good.
3. The Stage Company’s general membership meeting is Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 at the Mississippi Flyway. We’ve got some voting to do, so y’all come.
Cathy Field
A busy week, so this must be brief:
1. Come to the Varsity to work. Wednesdays & Saturdays from nine to eleven are the general volunteer work hours; the volunteer building crew works on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from nine to three.
2. Go to see “The Producers” at McLeod Theater, opening this weekend. Fun is good.
3. The Stage Company’s general membership meeting is Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 at the Mississippi Flyway. We’ve got some voting to do, so y’all come.
Cathy Field
Labels: Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Varsity Center for the Arts
The wonderful people at CCA and the Stage Company are asking you (Yes, you) to help them plan the future of the "Varsity Center for the Arts" by meeting at the Civic Center at 7 p.m. on July 23. Here's your invitation (Thanks to Roxanne Conley):
Carbondale Community Arts and the Jackson County Stage Company are working together to envision a future “
To help determine the community needs and wants, we began by launching an assessment of the space and public access needs (as well as wants, hopes, and dreams) of area artists, presenters and civic organizations through a short survey. Over 95 copies of the survey were distributed throughout our community by e-mail and regular mail.
In addition, a review of all available prior studies and surveys
relating to downtown redevelopment since 1984 was conducted to
determine community support for an arts center in downtown
With these preliminaries completed, we would like to open up the process to everyone in the community: give us your ideas, your hopes, and your dreams in regard to the transformation of the old Varsity Theater into the “
Please join us Wednesday, July 23
7-9 PM
at the
At that time we invite you to share your ideas about how to best enable the “
It’s a time for all of us to come together and plan for our future and the future of downtown
Labels: CCA, Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Monday, June 23, 2008
More Varsity Work
In case you're looking for something to do this week and are handy with tools, the Varsity Theater has more work:
Hello Everyone,
1.) You’ll notice a lot going has been going on, next time you’re working at the Varsity Center for the Arts—the intermission room has got some walls up and in the East Theater the movie screen is down. Here’s the upcoming work schedule:
2.) Stage Company members & friends, please join us in extending condolences to Jo Ann Hensley and family, at the passing of her mother.
3.) The McLeod Summer Playhouse opens this weekend. Go see a show. Go see TWO shows—art makes a full life.
Cathy Field
Or you could go lend a hand at Bucky's Dome. Looks like the new temporary plastic cover is on the ground after only a month.
Hello Everyone,
1.) You’ll notice a lot going has been going on, next time you’re working at the Varsity Center for the Arts—the intermission room has got some walls up and in the East Theater the movie screen is down. Here’s the upcoming work schedule:
- Saturday, June 21: 9 am to 11 am, Craig Hinde & Lee Brackett supervising. Cleanup of public restrooms, some construction continues.
- Tuesday, June 24: 9 am to 3 pm: Bill Crain directs building crew. Bring tools & know-how.
- Wednesday, June 25: 9 am to 11 am: I’m there. If the moldbusters are all done, we may start moving flats & set pieces from the front of the main theater to further back in the main theater, to begin making room for the builders to put dressing rooms inside the northwest wall of the building.
- Thursday, June 26: 9 am to 3 pm: Bill Crain directs building crew. Bring tools & know-how.
2.) Stage Company members & friends, please join us in extending condolences to Jo Ann Hensley and family, at the passing of her mother.
3.) The McLeod Summer Playhouse opens this weekend. Go see a show. Go see TWO shows—art makes a full life.
Cathy Field
Or you could go lend a hand at Bucky's Dome. Looks like the new temporary plastic cover is on the ground after only a month.
Labels: Bucky's Dome, Varsity Theater
Monday, June 16, 2008
+20 Karma
Needing to build up your karma? Volunteer opportunities at the Varsity Center for the Arts AND beloved community broadcaster WDBX-FM are available soon-- check the preceding entry for the Varsity project times.
For those hoping to meet some WDBX staff, check out the new studio digs, or thank the DJs for all their hard work; WDBX will be having a "Repaint and Refurbish" clean-up day June 21, at 1 p.m.
If the Varsity Center's crowbar 'n sledgehammer plans sound a bit out of your league, this might be a little more low key! Call 529-2160 for more info.
For those hoping to meet some WDBX staff, check out the new studio digs, or thank the DJs for all their hard work; WDBX will be having a "Repaint and Refurbish" clean-up day June 21, at 1 p.m.
If the Varsity Center's crowbar 'n sledgehammer plans sound a bit out of your league, this might be a little more low key! Call 529-2160 for more info.
Labels: Varsity Theater, volunteer, WDBX
Sunday, June 15, 2008
More Work at the Varsity
In case you've got some free time this week, and esp. if you're handy with tools:
Plans for the East Theater are in, and we’re ready for stage-builders at the Varsity Center for the Arts. We’re going to be working these hours listed below, in addition to our usual Wednesday & Saturday cleanups. Bring your tools!
Tuesday June 17, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m.
Thursday June 19, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m.
Saturday June 21, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m.
Bill Crain and Lee Brackett will be directing this part of the project. It’ll be sledgehammers & crowbars first (putting in new exits) followed by construction of the new stage. If you know someone with building skills, please pass along this message.
A community project for everyone!
Cathy Field
Plans for the East Theater are in, and we’re ready for stage-builders at the Varsity Center for the Arts. We’re going to be working these hours listed below, in addition to our usual Wednesday & Saturday cleanups. Bring your tools!
Tuesday June 17, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m.
Thursday June 19, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m.
Saturday June 21, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m.
Bill Crain and Lee Brackett will be directing this part of the project. It’ll be sledgehammers & crowbars first (putting in new exits) followed by construction of the new stage. If you know someone with building skills, please pass along this message.
A community project for everyone!
Cathy Field
Labels: Varsity Theater
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Saturday at the Varsity
If you've a few hours free this Saturday morning, the Stage Company is looking for able bodies to help with the remodel of the Varsity building. Here's the email so consider yourself invited:
Dear Everyone,
This week at the Varsity Center for the Arts we’re continuing our reclamation of the walls in public areas, still scraping & scouring. We’ve had lots of people on the putty-knife & bucket detail, and the results are beginning to show.
We’ve also begun hauling junk out of the storage area behind the Main Theater, which is where the dressing rooms will go.
The East Theater crew is about ready to start putting up the stage, and will need as many skilled carpenters as possible. If you have expertise with a hammer, please let me know at once, along with the hours you’re available to work.
We’re also looking for licensed electricians who are willing to donate some time to this community project. Contact Jack Langowski at 201-5245 if you know one.
As always, open work days are Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. Y’all come.
If you’re not a voting member of the Stage Company but would like to be, come to our monthly meeting Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 p.m., in the back room of the Mississippi Flyway. Bring $20 for dues (15 months for the price of 12!) and your best ideas. See you there!
Cathy Field
549-1409
Dear Everyone,
This week at the Varsity Center for the Arts we’re continuing our reclamation of the walls in public areas, still scraping & scouring. We’ve had lots of people on the putty-knife & bucket detail, and the results are beginning to show.
We’ve also begun hauling junk out of the storage area behind the Main Theater, which is where the dressing rooms will go.
The East Theater crew is about ready to start putting up the stage, and will need as many skilled carpenters as possible. If you have expertise with a hammer, please let me know at once, along with the hours you’re available to work.
We’re also looking for licensed electricians who are willing to donate some time to this community project. Contact Jack Langowski at 201-5245 if you know one.
As always, open work days are Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. Y’all come.
If you’re not a voting member of the Stage Company but would like to be, come to our monthly meeting Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 p.m., in the back room of the Mississippi Flyway. Bring $20 for dues (15 months for the price of 12!) and your best ideas. See you there!
Cathy Field
549-1409
Labels: Stage Company, Varsity Theater
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Varsity Update
Hadn't heard anything on the Varsity Theater for a week or better and I was also curious about the contradictory statements I'd read about who would own the building. According to the email I got back from Mayor Cole yesterday, ownership of the Varsity once negotiations with Kerasotes are completed is still in flux, but it will probably be the city, the Stage Company or (less likely) Carbondale Community Arts.
Labels: Varsity Theater
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Varsity Infrastructure
According to today's article in the DE, the infrastructure at the Varsity is in pretty good shape. Both the electrical and mechanical systems in the building are described as new from the Kerasotes' family. I understood, though, that the seating from the theater areas was removed, along with other equipment such as sound systems, when the Varsity closed. Can anyone speak to that? Maybe someone who was with SAVE?
Labels: Varsity Theater
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