Photo courtesy of Tom Weyman.
For years the marquee on the iconic Columbus Theatre on Broadway has read “Opening Soon” and now finally it’s true. The famed theater that has hosted everything from opera to porn reopens on November 17 with a show headlined by The Low Anthem, a local indie folk band that has made a name of itself on the national stage recently.
They will be joined by Brown Bird, Roz Raskin and the Rice Cakes, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, Vudu Sister, Alec K Redfearn, “and a mystery guest to be announced later for all the right reasons,” according to an announcement on Low Anthem’s website.
“We invite you to be a part of the rebirth of Columbus Theatre!” says their website. “There will be 2 (or 3) stages. Julian’s double-decker food truck omnibus and Nice Slice pizza will be vending outside, and Revival Brewing will be supplying sweet juices. The kick-off show will be RIDICULOUS and may include charity hair-cuts by band-members.”
Proceeds from the show will go towards the restoration of the theater as well as to Providence charity that provides education and health assistance in Nicaragua. Click here for tickets.
Built in 1926, the Columbus is said to be named for its 1,492 seats. The Low Anthem posts an interesting description of the theater’s rich history.
This theatre had seen everything, and embodied a century’s worth of American contradictions (note dubious anti-hero namesake). From the glorious heights of opera to the survivalism of it’s XXX film years, it has hosted everyone from Lightning Bolt to Julie Andrews. It has been the subject of endless first amendment law suits. It has been over the years lobbied, condemned, bent and bargained for like a cherished property of Monopoly America.
Low Anthem has been practicing in the theater as of late, according to their post.
The Columbus Theatre has become a rehearsal and recording home for we of The Low Anthem. It is a dream. We have set up shop in the 1930′s dance and acting school above the Broadway marquee. It is a magical place to work, replete with ghosts of bygone projectionists, world-class, double-proscenium acoustics, pop-corn machines, and enough ju-ju to drown a goo-goo.
…and a beautiful neighborhood live music venue, too.
(Thanks for the synapse, Pops.)
Ah, the cafes and remarkably right hangouts of Providence–
beauteously free of facile dominance.
It can happen, but not if you’re waiting for that late bid from Corfu.
New England, recognize yourself.
Providence, lead in design and in the most flexible modalities of thinking that creates.
Autonomy.
Autonomy within responsible community, details to be worked out eternally.
Autumn, it’s so worth it every year.
leftyrite / 2053
“Oh, and someone should spring for a person with strong spiritual medicine
to resanctify the place.”
Thank you, Mary Dyer.
and, now, Groucho, to introduce our next contestant.