A Moonlight Series

Shown on Saturday July 20^th will be

“The Secret of Kells”

DETROIT – On Saturday August 20^th, The Alger Theater will once again host a FREE outdoor film on Detroit’s far Eastside.  The second in this summer’s monthly film series dubbed “Film on the Hill: A Moonlight Series” will take place beginning at 8:30 p.m. with live music and the film showing at dusk.  The “Film on the Hill” showing will be located at Balduck Park at Chandler Park Drive and Canyon Street. Free popcorn will be provided to all attendees and seating blankets will be available for a small donation.

This month’s film, “The Secret of Kells” The story revolves around 12-year-old Brendan as he battles Vikings and confronts an ancient serpent god on a mission to locate a legendary crystal and complete the mythical Book of Kells. Brendan lives in a heavily fortified medieval outpost known as the Abbey of Kells, where the ongoing threat of Viking raids causes the peaceful monks to live in a state of constant fear. Along with his uncle, Abbot Cellach, Brendan labors to fortify the abbey walls daily so his people will be protected from invading forces. When the mysterious Brother Aidan arrives at the abbey carrying an unfinished tome filled mystical secrets, Brendan becomes illuminated, and his dormant talents are awakened. The book must be finished, but accomplishing that mission will be no simple task. As the Vikings close in, Brendan ventures into the surrounding forest and prepares to confront his darkest fears. Accompanying him on his dangerous mission is Aisling, a half-wolf/half-human fairy whose powers will help to guide Brendan through this enchanting yet dangerous new world.

The Friends of the Alger Theater (FOTAT) along with the Detroit Film Theater (DFT) at Detroit Institute of Arts are co-presenting this free event. The showing of this film is funded in part by Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The Friends of the Alger Theater would like to thank the following sponsors. Without their generous support, the FREE Film on the Hill: a Moonlight Series would not be possible.

●    Allemon’s Landscape Center – 17727 Mack Avenue, Detroit

●    BikeTech – 18401 East Warren Avenue, Detroit

●    Boost Mobile – 16401 East Warren, Detroit

●    CEM Business Association – East Warren Avenue, Detroit

●    Del Pointe Market – 16700 Harper Avenue, Detroit

●    M&M Pet Supplies – 15625 East Warren Avenue, Detroit

●    Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

●    Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative

●    Pointe Auto Tech – 17819 East Warren Avenue, Detroit

●    Smokey’s Bar-B-Q – 16555 Harper Avenue, Detroit

●    Vergote’s Poultry & Fish Market – 16523 Harper Avenue, Detroit

Sponsorships are still available at various levels:

$25 – includes onscreen placement of Company logo and mention on Alger Theater Website

$50 – includes onscreen placement of Company logo, mention on Alger Theater Website and your table or materials at the evening showings

$100 – includes onscreen placement of Company logo and mention on Alger Theater Website and your table or materials at the evening showings plus two reserved seating blankets

$200 – includes onscreen placement of Company logo and mention on Alger Theater Website, your table or materials at the evening showings plus two reserved seating blankets and a five-word message for one-week on the Alger Theater Marquee

The mission of the Friends of the Alger Theater (FOTAT) is to preserve the Alger Theater and create a viable Performing Arts Community Center for the cultural enrichment of a diverse population residing in and visiting the Detroit metropolitan region.  FOTAT believes that there is a need on the eastside of Detroit for a neighborhood source of diverse and wholesome quality entertainment for people of all ages.  Furthermore, The Alger Theater believes a thriving Performing Arts Community Center can energize our Eastside area, and help attract investment for nearby commercial improvement.  Residents will have a real sense that our neighborhood is alive and well.  By promoting social interactions, we will help build strong and lasting relationships among the citizens of our community.

The Alger Theater activities are supported through grassroots fundraising efforts as well as through many community partnerships including The Cornerstone East English Village and Morningside Business Association (CEM) and those respective neighborhood associations. A special thank you goes to the many individuals that volunteer their valuable time and energy to the Alger Theater.

For more information about the Film on the Hill: A Moonlight Series — including how to volunteer, or about the Friends of the Alger Theater, contact Karlene Trump, the group’s “academy award winner for fundraising” volunteer, at 313.882.2579

Filmmaker Used Alger as Film Set

Independent filmmaker Martin Shea saw the value of the Alger Theater and thought it would be a great set for a scene for his new film.  So, after approaching the Friends of the Alger Theater (FOTAT), he was given permission to use the building.  On Oct. 23, he and his extensive cast and crew took over the building for an entire day.  Those who walked or drove past the theater on the 23rd saw a beehive of activity throughout the day.

“This is good exposure for the Alger, and I heard positive comments from people in the community who saw the theater alive with activity,” observed FOTAT Board Member Marc Tirikian. “Hopefully,” Tirikian continued, “our momentum will continue to grow, and, as our exposure, partners and programs develop, so too will our chances for being awarded grants or other funds.”

Alger receives Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative Grant

The Friends of the Alger Theater (FOTAT) received a new grant that is helping maintain and improve the Alger Theater façade.  The grant, provided by Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative and issued through the City of Detroit, provided $2,000. It requires matching funds of $2,000, for a total of $4,000.  FOTAT Board Member Helen Broughton, Next Detroit Community Manager, assisted the organization in applying for the grant. The funding is part of a program aimed at commercial building façade improvements in targeted Detroit neighborhoods, including East English Village.

The grant is covering the cost of repainting some trim on the building, improving the ticket office roof, and replacing the roofing between the marquis and the building. Additionally, the letters of the vertical Alger sign on the front of the building will be repainted.

CAID Comes to the Alger

On October 16, 2010 the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (CAID) hosted “The Steve Barman Show” live at the Alger Theater.  The show is a weekly late-night talk show, broadcast via the Internet, dedicated to “arts, culture and cool.” The show brought a live audience of about 70 people to the theater for the broadcast.  Additionally, prior to the broadcast, a host of CAID volunteers visited the theater to provide a thorough cleaning of the facility.

“This was good exposure for the Alger, and they spent a lot of time cleaning the seats and stage,” Board Member Marc Tirikian said.  And, the CAID visit could lead to future cooperative efforts between the art institute and the Alger. “We are in the planning stages to partner more with CAID in the future. They see our facility as a great opportunity for their music and arts programs, and we share their commitment to arts programming,” Tirikian added. He noted CAID also has a proven track record in attaining grants.

The Friends of the Alger Theater (FOTAT) gained some great publicity recently when it was featured on WDET’s Support The ARTs (STAR) program.  The STAR program provides free on-air promotion and airtime to Southeastern Michigan non-profit arts and cultural organizations.

Established to help these organizations reach a wider audience than their budgets typically allow for, the STAR Program spotlights two groups per month with two weeks of dedicated promotion time.  FOTAT was the focus of the program during two weeks in October. WDET is Wayne State University’s public radio station.  “A lot of people heard about us on the STAR Program,” noted FOTAT Board Member Marc Tirikian. “I think it gave us some really good exposure.”

FOTAT Resumes In-School Theater Collaboration

For the second year, the Friends of the Alger Theater (FOTAT), in partnership with the Matrix Theater Company of Southwest Detroit, is providing a theater education program at the nearby Marquette Elementary School.  “Our goal is to help improve reading and writing skills through theater arts,” explained Dennis Costello, FOTAT president. He noted that the ongoing partnership with Matrix makes sense on many levels.

A cultural anchor in southwest Detroit, the Matrix Theatre Company is nationally recognized as a socially engaged theatre that transforms individuals and revitalizes communities through original artistic work.  It has a track record of successful theater arts educational programs. The FOTAT/Matrix partnership was initiated last year, and the program was successfully run at Marquette during the final semester of school last year.

The program, which is led by two Matrix instructors, involves acting, play writing and puppetry.  For the program, up to 20 Marquette students, aged 8 to 11, participate in the theater arts class twice weekly for a six-week period.

The program started in November and will conclude at the end of December. Last year, FOTAT funded the program. This year the group is working with the Detroit Public Schools in hopes that the district will fund the program.  If not, FOTAT is prepared to again provide funding.

“We believe this is a worthwhile program that is providing a needed service in our community. Anything we can do to enhance language-arts education is worthwhile,” Costello said. He added the program is also helping to introduce the Friends to a larger cross-section of the community, which will help the organization build support in the community, and ultimately help it move closer to its goal of renovating and re-opening the Alger Theater as a community performing arts and film center.

“Efforts like this help to demonstrate the kind of valuable programming we hope to offer the community on a larger scale at some point in the future,” he said.  Costello is hopeful that the program can be continued throughout the school year at Marquette Elementary.

First Film on the Hill 2010 Series was a Crowd Pleaser

The first Friends of the Alger Theater (FOTAT) venture into an outdoor film screening, dubbed the “Film on the Hill” series, was a crowd pleaser this past summer of 2010.  The series included two outdoor screenings adjacent to the sledding hill at nearby Balduck Park (on Chandler Park Drive just north and east of the Alger Theater’s East Outer Drive/East Warren location).

The crowds for each event relaxed on the grassy hill, spreading blankets and eating popcorn.   Mother Nature cooperated for each event, providing pleasant, clear and dry evenings. The events took place July 31 and Aug. 28. Both evenings featured family friendly movies, with the first event featuring the African drama “Duma,” while the second night featured Harrison Ford’s classic action/adventure movie “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.”.

Volunteer Charlie with FOTAT Board Member Marc

The first evening brought out a crowd of 150 people or so, while the second event generated slightly more. On both evenings, musicians provided live entertainment prior to the films as the audiences relaxed and waited for darkness. For the July showing, the Balduck Mountain Ramblers and percussionist Miles Hubbell entertained prior to the screening. Bob O’Brien and Gerry Brisson offered the pre-movie entertainment for the August show.

FOTAT Board Member Marc Tirikian, who helped organize the event, noted the program would resume next summer, with screening dates planned for June, July and August. Tirikian said there still is a buzz in the community about the films, and he expects next year’s events to draw even larger crowds. The FOTAT Board is thankful for the many volunteers who helped make the events a success.  Tirikian hopes to recruit more organizations and local businesses to participate in the future. Watch for word about the summer 2011 film series next spring.

Detroit Pistons commentator and local personality George Blaha spoke about the importance of teamwork in reaching a common goal. A good lesson for all of us.

Mr. George Blaha

The highlights included musical and dance entertainment by local youth, as well as the keynote speech delivered by City of Detroit Executive Director of Community Affairs, Karen Dumas.

Featured Speaker, Karen Dumas

Friends President, Geoff Gowman, with Reverend Anthony Shipley

The Friends were honored to present Detroit City Council President Gil Hill as the featured speaker. Mr. Hill spoke about revitalization of commercial business strips in the City of Detroit.

Detroit City Council President, Hon. Gil Hill

Friends and guests