For Immediate Release November 4, 2011:
The Uptown Stage and Screen and Marquee Room to suspend all public and
corporate programming and events pending resolution of a dispute with
its landlord regarding the provision of reliable heat and maintenance.
After 18 years of award-winning cinematic programming as well as
music, live theatre, dance and visual arts, the Uptown is forced to
suspend access to the public for lack of essential services to the
facility.
The Uptown Stage and Screen was built in 1951 and operated as the
Uptown Theatre until closing soon after the Olympic Film Festival in
1988. Current Uptown management purchased the historic theatre and
building above it in 1992. The Barron Building is recognised as
Calgary’s first skyscraper and the building and the Uptown are widely
considered among the finest examples of Moderne architecture in
Western Canada. Newel Post Developments Ltd. was committed to
preserving the building as a shining example of sustainable
restoration. However, insufficient funds to complete the renovation
project led to the sale of the building in 2007. By leasing back the
theatre complex, the Uptown focussed on bringing renewed vigour to the
facility with the opening of the Marquee Room, a complementary music
venue within the premises.
The Uptown has served many communities over its long life and has
hosted acts from Diana Krall to K’naan, Robert Polanyi to Kevin Smith
and all points in between. It was instrumental in the genesis of the
Encana WordFest, The Big Rock Eddies, ArtCity, Avenue Magazine,
numerous film festivals and so many of what continue to be enduring
fixtures on the Calgary arts scene.
Since October 2009, the Uptown has been involved in a dispute with
the landlord regarding the provision of heat and other essential
building services. As a result of this dispute, there is inadequate
heating to ensure the comfort of the patrons. Consequently, and with
great regret, the Uptown will cease public and corporate programming
in the Uptown and Marquee Room effective November 6, 2011, until such
time as the dispute with the landlord is resolved and services can be
restored. The offices will remain open in the premises and we will be
available for tours and booking enquiries until our re-launch. The
Uptown has taken, and will continue to take, appropriate legal action
against its landlord with the goal of resuming regular programming,
and thus continuing with a Calgary arts institution.
All Inquiries may be directed to Blake O’Brien 403 264 3707
###Statistics: Posted by newsposter — Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:08 pm
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