Senator Theatre To Be Auctioned July 22

Submitted by Tom Harris at: July 9, 2009
I've been going to The Senator since the mid 1980's. I've attended MANY movie and special events at this theatre, I could try to explain how different this place feels compared to the many other movie venues I've attended over the years, but just recently I read this excerpt from The Senator's 1939 "Opening" program booklet, page 7 (http://friendsofthesenatortheatre.wordpress.com/about/ - image 8): "No attempt is made to awe or overpower you. You will feel at home the very moment you step upon the threshold. It is a home of luxurious refinement rather than ostentation; a home of comfort and warmth." I think the Frank Durkee, John Zink and E. Eyring & Sons knew what they had from the beginning... I saddened to agree that its time as a first-run movie house is over after nearly 70 years. But, I've learned that the modern economics involved, even before the downturn, made such an operation next to impossible to generate a profit. I agree with Mr. Kiefaber that it could (and should) be transitioned, from his ownership, to that of a community-based non-profit to become The Premiere multipurpose arts, education and entertainment in the region. Each of these event types have been successfully presented at The Senator. And, yes the accoustics for musical and motion picture presentation are grand. I believe that John Lind of Venuetech (http://venuetech.com) showed us that this vision is possible. His company has already helped communities across the country accomplish this task. I know there are residents in the nieghborhoods surrounding the theatre and those perhaps not so close who are ready and willing to lend time and services to help make this happen - if only the elected officials, developers and/or investors would step up to help find funding to give it a chance. Other states/municipalities with the help of their communities have accomplished this with success. If, collectively, we don't recognize the potential benefits of this vision - economic & cultural - for The Senator Theatre, the renovated Belvedere Square, York Road corridor, indeed Northern Baltimore City and even central Baltimore County, we will have to eventually face the depth of the loss of both.

Submitted by A E at: July 9, 2009
I became a patron of The Senator as a child in the late 1970s and have enjoyed attending movies there through four decades. Many of my life’s highs and lows have been shared with The Senator. I have gone there to celebrate life’s successes and have sought refuge from reality there through low points. Though I have a favorite seat down in the front of the auditorium, I have sat throughout the theatre and can tell you that every seat in that theatre offers an excellent movie going experience. The sound system is an audiophile’s dream. Bass sounds are low, multi-dimensional, and warm. Treble sounds are crisp and clear without being sharp. The large auditorium gives the sound space to develop, unlike the small auditoriums in a multiplex where sound is simply loud and has a canned quality. The projection quality is top notch. You’ll never see the film flicker on the screen, as it does in the multiplexes. There simply is no other theatre in the nation like The Senator Theatre, but Baltimore City officials don’t seem to recognize this. It worries me that Bill Henry thinks that parking and repairs are issues that will prevent people from wanting to bid. There is plenty of free parking directly across the street, more free parking diagonally across from the theatre, and even parking on the street. Also, I don’t understand why he thinks that the building needing “repairs” would also hinder interested parties. As a former underwriter who used to insure historic theatres and other historic structures, I can tell you that the building doesn’t need repairs. I have seen the building up close and personal many times. It simply needs the standard maintenance that any seventy year old historic building needs. An interested buyer would understand that. What a shame that Bill Henry has such a negative view of the value of this theatre. It’s also heartbreaking that Baltimore City can’t give The Senator Theatre a little more time to find a non-profit organization to run a community arts center there, which is how historic theatres are successfully run throughout the United States. Baltimore City hasn’t been in a rush to unload The Mayfair Theatre, which it has owned since the 1980s, and that theatre now sits in a complete state of disrepair with the roof caved in through to the basement. Why the rush to auction with The Senator when The Senator has such tremendous potential for a successful future as a non-profit community arts center? To Baltimore City: You still have a chance to call off the auction. Why not do the right thing and allow this one of a kind historic theatre transition into a successful non-profit community arts center?

Submitted by Tiny Avenger at: July 8, 2009
"It's a beautiful theater, it has great potential. We want it to become a signature piece in the city of Baltimore. We just need it to be a showcase." This quote from Baltimore Development Corporation Kim CLark is horrendous! The Senator has been a signature piece in the city of Baltimore for 70 years! Where the heck has Kim Clark been? It's also BEEN a showcase theatre! These statements made by her only prove once again that she and others in Baltimore City have NO BUSINESS being involved with the theatre in any way! They are completely detached and disinterested and unknowledgable about the theatre's history and it's future. Also, why was the owner left out of this article? He couldhave provided you with the ACCURATE name of the Senator and Ambassador's architecht. I can onlt assume that Baltimore City officials gave you this wrong information....

Submitted by Tiny Avenger at: July 8, 2009
It just never ends... Bill Henry's quotes in this article are ridiculous! He'll do or say anything just to see himself on tv or "quoted" in print. We were assured that there are no zoning issues that would effect The Senator. Mr. Henry is not aware of this though b/c he ducked Senator onway's town meeting where this issue was brought up. Mr. Henry and others with the cirty are tied into big time commercial developers and have also stated publicly and in writing that "they have no interest in dealing with those people." Refering to the community in which the Senator serves... Mr. Henry's actions in the last year regarding his "involvement and help" with regard to The Senator has been...welll.. extremely questionable and actionable. There are others involved as well. It's high time that the citizens of Baltimore take back their city and expose the corruption!

Submitted by Marty at: July 8, 2009
It is hard for me to comprehend that the city of Baltimore can not find the means to extend the time for The Senator Theatre to get itself ready to transform into the not-for-profit multi-media venue it so deserves to become. The current owner has been heading in this direction for years until the bank that is also in trouble called in the loan. I know that I am probably biased but I have seen this place go through many changes over the years. It recently held a classic rock and roll concert on a Saturday night and this futuristic Art Deco building that is seventy years old seemed to have been made for this kind of entertainment. I am one of the lucky ones that was a projectionist for the Durkee organization that built this theatre. I am now one of its volunteers and am sad to see how a part of my family is being treated by the city government. The current owner, Tom Kiefaber has been holding this place together for many years and many times with his own sweat, tears and funds.

Submitted by Laura at: July 8, 2009
It is appalling the way Baltimore City is leaving the future of our wonderful, amazing Senator Theatre to the fates. The city now holds the note. They could delay the auction by six months or so to allow for the formation of a viable non-profit approach like the ones that have been successful for historic theatres all over the country. This theatre needs to be owned by a non-profit and run as a multipurpose entertainment venue. I am strongly biased, because I've been volunteering at The Senator for months now, but there's a reason for love that runs that deep. This theatre is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen, of any vintage or design style, because every aspect of its design is so harmonious with every other aspect. My friend Tom Kiefaber, the owner, was playing his drums in the circular outer lobby last night, and the lobby itself resonated so that it rang like a bell. I don't want to get too far into the cosmos here, but if you get into things like sacred geometry, you might understand that there's something almost mystical about this building. I know I'm not the only one who feels that way. I had a conversation with the owner, Tom, last night that was so heartwrenching. This man is part of the family that built The Senator, he grew up in The Senator, and it's the last of his family's Durkee chain that once owned 50 theatres in Baltimore. He has put his heart and soul into this place for almost 30 years, has done everything right as far as building the brand of The Senator into a national icon that has seen the theatre listed among the top ten movie theatres in the country time and again, and loves the place in a way that really cannot be described. Baltimore City is determined to not only auction off the theatre, but ban him and his many years of experience from any future involvement with it. All this because it, like so many other historic theatres, has run into debt because of national economic and industry trends that have nothing to do with Tom. What an absolute travesty!