Not even the press can get an answer about when the lights will come back on & the door reopen...

http://friendsofthesenatortheatre.org/
-
http://twitter.com/FoTStheatre
-
http://thepeoplestheatre.us/
Information
Founded:
2008
Create a Page for My BusinessReport Page
 
Andrea Perry

Andrea Perry Does anyone know why a fire truck was parked in front of the Senator this morning?

I give up on a getting a straight answer to my questions from Tom, but I'm harboring some small hope that they prompted an inspection (by the fire marshall, not an historic theater expert).

about an hour ago · Comment · · Flag
    Tom Kiefaber

    Tom Kiefaber Andrea, You raised issues regarding the deteriorated state of The Senator's marquee wiring and added the suggestion of an objective evaluation of The Senator's present condition. I agree. At this stage with The Senator sitting empty the city should be encouraged to initiate a full, object professional inspection and ev...aluation of every aspect of the facility and its preservation, based on The Senator's irreplaceable status as one of the nation;s most significant & intact historic theatres. The issues speak to The Senator's uncertain future, the primary for members of this site. In that light a counterproductive negative undercurrent also lingers, reinforced by your followup comments that may be seeking to apply retroactive blame or irresponsibility on my part over my past ownership and operation of The Senator. I'm not sure, but it seems to be a blame game inquiry that has little relevance to the issues facing The Senator Theatre & its future

    See More
    2 hours ago · Comment · · Flag
      • Tom Kiefaber

        It's the same with this palpable sense of a "life force" ' that an inanimate object, like an historic theatre, can emanate that's picked up on by individuals and discussed in certain circles. So from a basic, realist approach to the more "...out there" theoretical esoteric aspects, the common conclusion remains that the sooner The Senator is reopened the better. That was a major driving force for all the FOTS volunteers in the past 18months, to keep the theatre open and operating, so that when the ownership and operation transition occurred , it could be orchestrated to minimize the down time. That's what the commercial district and residential district inhabitants all want and know to be a critical. Once that's done, monitoring the theatre from the exterior will not be the issue it is today. Reopen The Senator ASAP, but ensure that it's mechanical systems are as safe and as reliable as possible in the process.See More
        40 minutes ago ·
      • Patrick Storck
        Thank you, on the code question that is essentially what I was asking for. It only became a concern when the question was answered with many side topics, which started to give the impression the real answer was something not to be shared. S...ometimes a little clarification is all that's needed. I don't think anyone's safety was ever intentionally at risk, so I was a bit surprised by statements that could be interpreted (wrongly perhaps, but that's the nature of interpretation) to mean a major risk was present.

        As for the life force, we as fans have felt it and it's part of what makes classic buildings and memory factories so dear to us, and our experiences help that grow. I spent several years at the Northpoint theater, (as well as others, but it was most decidedly manifested there) and could tell stories through the night!

        Something we should all do well to remember is that ANYPLACE special to us we should not back-burner. Movie theaters, restaurants, stage theaters, mom and pop shops, parks, festivals, and any other places that may fall victim to corporate squeezes, tighter paychecks, higher rent, or just lack of awareness. We have an amazing city here, and we are seeing examples far too often lately of outsiders coming in and claiming the hard earned dollars from business owners that live and pay taxes and support the city and what it to us. This city has a life force too.

        And Tom, I'm sorry to see this happen for you, but wish you the best.         See More
        24 minutes ago ·
    Tom Kiefaber

    Tom Kiefaber In response though, to your concerns about my past actions and qualifications I will assert that my independent ownership and daily operation of The Senator for approximately 25 years, [9150+ sequential days of operation, no weekends off....] along with by a highly motivated, well- trained, overworked and underpaid his...toric theatre management team is a compelling case study, when judged by insurance claims and liability standards and criteria. In 25 years of operating an aging historic theatre facility there wasn't a single serious incident of patron or staff injury, nor any major or minor incident of fire ,nor any serious mishap. None. Our insurance carriers always considered that track record a "unprecedented marvel", [their words] and related to us each year at renewal time that most historic facilities of this type, age and popularity have more incidents and insurance claims each and every year than The Senator had in over 25 cumulative years of operation!

    See More
    2 hours ago · Comment · · Flag
    Tom Kiefaber

    Tom Kiefaber We remain proud of this accomplishment, which did not just happen on its own. Hardly. It happened because dedicated professionals achieved it through vigilance, acquired skill and hard work. Now it is up to others to carry on and achieve their own track record and build an eventual legacy, and to do that will require... a much more extensive and expensive restoration of the aged facility than is generally recognized or being discussed. These are the types of productive FOTS interactions that hopefully move things forward towards The Senator's eventual protection and preservation in perpetuity and they remain my focus in this FOTS forum.

    See More
    2 hours ago · Comment · · Flag
    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Senator's Marquee Left on Continuously All Weekend
    The FOTS leadership recently received the following communication from former Senator owner and operator Tom Kiefaber: I just noted from some interactions on Facebook that apparently The Senator's entire marquee and the neon towers were left continuously lit for over 72 hours this past...
    Tuesday at 9:31am · Comment ·
    • Mark A. Silvestri, Justin Gladden, Marty Kahl and 5 others like this.
      • Tom Kiefaber

        The marquee and the iconic original mural in the outer rotunda lobby, are both Senator "issues" that require monitoring and attention and they should be restored as soon as possible. The Senator was well built in 1939 by E. Eyring & Sons,... with then-modern materials and it has been well and lovingly maintained without any serious lapses in 71 years. Overall for its age, The Senator is in good condition, is mostly original, unaltered and intact. That initial golden era of "maintenance only" has ended however, and the experts all caution that these theatres need to be more fully retsored after 70 to 75 years.

        This has been a very difficult issue to try and get out there and thankfully it's been taken up as a front burner is for FOTS. We worked with the community and bought theatre redevelopment expert John Lind form the west coast to The Senator for Town Meeting in 2008 where he made these points to the assembled, but the economic crash derailed that effort and our staying power towards those goals.

        Andrea's point its well taken, and the marquee, the mural and the entire structure should be fully inspected by experts in the field. An objective professional inspection will quantify what's up and put things in a more clear perspective. We owe that at this time of transition to the future generations who really own "The People's Theatre". .
        See More
        Yesterday at 6:27am ·
      • Andrea Perry
        Tom, you haven't addressed my question. Did you maintain the marquee wiring to meet code? What kinds of code/insurance inspections have taken place to assure safety? Why did you raise an alarm about fire peril on 7/27 if, one week earli...er, you hosted 1000+ guests in a building with sound wiring? If there's an issue now, either the marquee hasn't been maintained to code, or the code is inadequate. No way should patron safety depend on staff members looking for flickering bulbs and sniffing the air.

        This isn't an historic restoration expert issue, it's far more basic.        See More
        Yesterday at 9:53am ·
    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Friends of The Senator Theatre Hearfelt thanks to all who helped move items last week. There may be need this week as well to finish the job.

    July 25 at 9:29pm · Comment ·
    Avenue Antiques

    Avenue Antiques  More Best Of (#Hampden & friends edition): HONFEST - Festival; Friends of The Senator Theatre - Theater; American Visionary Art Museum + Walters + BMA -Museums; Atomic Books -Bookstore

    Best of Baltimore Readers' Poll
    www.baltimoremagazine.net
    Cast your vote for Baltimore's Best in more than 30 categories, including Best Burger, Best Crab Cake, Best Pizza, Best Bar, Best Movie Theater, Best Oriole, Best Raven, Best Shoe Store, and more.
    July 24 at 2:00pm
    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Last night at The Senator Theatre - On the Record by Brendan Kearney
    mddailyrecord.com
    Let me start by saying I went to The Senator last night simply to see, for free, a classic film I’d never watched all the way through and to check out what I thought would be a neat event. I didn’t go as a reporter; I didn’t bring a notebook; I didn’t interview former Senator owner Tom Kiefaber (who...
    July 23 at 10:39am · Comment ·
    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    FOTS' Acceptable Behavior Policy
    We believe that EVERYONE has a right to express their opinion regarding our overall message/mission, plans and opinions/ideas set forth. We do not expect everyone to agree on every issue. It's simply not human nature...
    July 23 at 9:26am · Comment ·
    • Saray Israel, Caitlin Harris and 2 others like this.
      • Andrea Perry A good concept, in my opinion, although it's a tough business, judging whether folks post in good faith or post to "disrupt," are being "abusive" or just candid, etc. Good luck with that. It will be interesting to see how much energy there is for substantive discussion without the fireworks from so many quarters.
        July 23 at 1:53pm ·
    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Friends of The Senator Theatre Volunteers needed today beginning at 12:30pm (for about 3-4 hrs) to help pack, move items (some heavy) out of & tidy The Senator. Wedding party coming in tonight for rehearsal for the ceremony tomorrow!

    July 23 at 9:22am · Comment ·
    • Kennard Matthews likes this.
      • Gayle A Grove
        The wedding was actually booked when "the city" told us of the 90 day negotiating period. (along with some other screenings and such) When they flip flopped around and changed the 90 days to several weeks, etc. we were all concerned. It was...n't until just several days prior to the booked wedding, that anyone from the city/new operators confirmed to the couple that their wedding would take place. As far as I can tell, it went ok. And yes, only things being removed are the personal items from 71 years. I'm hoping that they will allow me to remove my personal photo albums. My new work schedule prevented me from being able to remove these items during the weekday afternoon. See More
        July 25 at 2:09pm · 1 personLoading... ·
      • Saray Israel hope someone finds my camera..it's precious to me
        July 26 at 3:20pm ·
    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Friends of The Senator Theatre Need moving boxes @ the senator asap!

    July 22 at 3:09pm via Text Message · Comment ·
      • Tanya Ray gonna miss it...lotta good memories
        July 22 at 7:18pm ·
      • Friends of The Senator Theatre
        We're going to need hands & vehicles today. The main problem is we have to wait until the city solicitor's office tells us the time someone will be there to let us in.
        If you can help today (Fri) or perhaps tomorrow, email us at friendsofthe...senator@live.com with times & contact info.
        We'll also post here as soon as we know today's hours.
        Thanks to everyone who was able to show last night (whether you were able to actually help or not).        See More
        July 23 at 4:50am ·
    Saray Israel

    Saray Israel THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME OUT TO SHOW TOM & FAMILY AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS
    SO MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT...WELL DESERVED IT WAS A BLESSED BUT SAD DAY
    I HAVE SO MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT FOR TOM I FEEL HE HANDLED HIMSELF LIKE THE BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT THAT HE IS...PEOPLE EXPECTED HIM TO RANT & RAVE
    HE HAS CLASS AND DIGNITY AND HE SHOWED IT ...IN THE MIST OF WALKING AWAY FROM HIS FAMILIES LEGACY...TOM I SALUTE YOU ..RESPECT SIR

    See More
    July 22 at 12:14pm · Comment · · Flag
    • Mark A. Silvestri, Tom Harris, Katie Joy Villegas and 2 others like this.
      • Kathleen Hall Harris Yes, it was an excellent night with very positive vibes, and people thanking him for what he's done! Glad to see Maria there!
        July 23 at 10:42am ·
      • Gayle A Grove Still haven't had the "official" break down myself, thoough I know it's coming. Wednesday night was simply...joyous and magical. Got a bit weepy, I think I wiped my nasal on your shirt sleeve a few times Madame PB, but the vibe and energy in there that night just wouldn't allow me to feel anything but love and respect!! xoxox
        July 25 at 2:11pm ·
    Mark A. Silvestri

    Mark A. Silvestri Years ago on the opening night of Amistad, Tom had gotten an African drumming group to come in and play before the show started. The more they played, the more we all started moving in our seats. One of the drummers made us get up and dance and yours truly got right in there. I'd been born with some muscular/skeleta...l issues, and although I've got a pretty good sense of rhythm, dancing on a slanted floor was a bit of a stunt but I had a blast anyway. After the movie, Tom came to me and thanked me for participating, and that a video of the "dance party" was going to be sent to Stephen Spielberg. Frankly I have to belatedly thank Tom since that was a phenomenal night. Literally everyone in the auditorium was on their feet, dancing whether it was with people they did or didn't know. I can only pray that that kind of enthusiasm can be continued in the next phase of the Senator's existence.

    See More
    July 22 at 9:12am · Comment · · Flag
    • Saray Israel and Tom Harris like this.
      • Saray Israel there has been many awesome nights like that the mother's day concert with THE PANAMA BAND was a historical show..people all ages dancing and having fum it was beautiful.
        July 24 at 12:05pm · 1 personLoading... ·
      • Gayle A Grove Mark, have your ears felt a bit warm here and there over the years since those amazing nights running Amistad? Seriously. Tom has mentioned this time, along with having met you to many others. Truth be told, he'd tear up every time. I definitely remember this time. The drumming, the dancing. Red n yellow, black n white. All things to all people! SO glad to have seen this post and been able to reconnect with you!
        July 25 at 2:13pm ·
      • Mark A. Silvestri ‎;).......thank you Gayle, Saray, Tom H and again Tom K..........and as several have said in various postings....LONG LIVE THE SENATOR!!
        Tuesday at 7:54pm ·
    Mike Schuh

    Mike Schuh http://wjz.com/video/?id=72836@wjz.dayport.com

    Video Library - wjz.com
    wjz.com
    WJZ is your home for thousands of videos.
    July 22 at 9:00am · Comment ·
    Friends of The Senator Theatre

    Friends of The Senator Theatre BIG thanks to all the Friends of The Senator Theatre who joined our volunteers yesterday in celebrating 71 years of operation by Kiefaber's family & their last night Senator staff. Near full house @ 4:30 and standing-room only @ 8pm!

    July 22 at 6:42am · Comment ·
    • Tom Harris, Samantha Feld, David Taylor and 15 others like this.
      • Brett Harlow
        ‎..I feel like I grew up at the Senator, over 40 years and countless movies later, that place is a huge reason I have the love for films that I do. No matter who takes it over or what becomes of it, it will never be the same. I will always ...be that 13 year old kid who stayed up all night finishing Peter Benchleys "Jaws" so I could stand in line on opening day at The Senator to see the first sold-out showing. Thank You to everyone, from the nice lady who sold me the ticket, to the all the people who handed me popcorn over that awesome candy counter, to the people waiting outside in line for the next show who asked "how was it?" It was the best.See More
        July 22 at 12:52pm ·
      • Katie Joy Villegas I'm soooooooooooo sorry I couldn't make it!!!!!! Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much Tom for sharing your passion with us all these years!!!
        July 22 at 9:47pm ·