Status report: Roanoke Rapids Theatre entertainment update

by Roger Bell
The Daily Herald Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 3:35 PM EST

ROANOKE RAPIDS — City Council got a glimpse into the future entertainment plans at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre Tuesday during their work session at City Hall.

Roger Bell | The Daily Herald Roanoke Rapids Theatre Manager Charles Davis addresses City Council Tuesday at the work session at City Hall.


Advertisement
Roanoke Rapids Theatre Manager Charles Davis appeared before council to give the community a look at ideas for shows, with the goal being to get something going in the space as frequently as possible. With the recent success of the amateur boxing card held at the theater, Davis told Council he's looking into getting mixed martial arts matches as a possible future attraction. "The boxing show went very well," Davis said. "It was a great turnout. I've heard a lot of positive things. Hopefully this will lead to bigger turnouts."

Other shows Davis told Council would be coming or could be coming to the theater included:

• "Diary of a Black Man," planned for Feb. 12-13.

• What Davis characterized as "an evening of dancing with live music," on Feb. 14.

• A possible partnership between the theater and local businesses to generate money for Haiti Earthquake Relief in March, possibly the 26th and 27th. "As citizens of the world we need to help send relief over there," Davis said.

• A blue grass, barbeque festival for June 19 and 20.

• The second annual rodeo, scheduled for Sept. 4 and 5.

• The U.S. Census Gala to be held at the theater April 1.

Additionally, Davis announced plans for a possible gospel sing-off between Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie and Lafayette Gatling, although the event hasn't been scheduled yet. Davis is also working with the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau to coordinate bus tour stops at the theater, which would require booking acts appealing to the bus tour market. The theater is also working to coordinate with Halifax Community College to coordinate a theater arts camp with 4-H. "The idea is to give those kids an experience they've never had before in theater arts," Davis explained. Price has not been set, but Davis hopes to hold the camp from July 12 through July 18, with students ending the week with a production of their own.

Another possible project Davis is investigating is what he called the "Catch a star, be a star" contest. The plan is for a six-week contest to take place at the theater, possibly as early as late February or early March, for area singers. The winner would possibly win studio time to record their own CD, although Davis is still in negotiations for a grand prize.

Davis also revealed a plan to possibly have shows every first Friday and last Saturday of each month. "Just to have something going on at the theater each week," Davis said. "Whether it's a national act or local talent, just to have something going there."

Starting in April, Davis hopes to host second-run movies at the theater on Saturday afternoons. However, he's still involved in licensing discussions at this time.

"Obviously you're very busy with your planning," Doughtie told Davis. "It's going to take more than local commitment to make the theater successful. We need to pull from a larger radius than Roanoke Rapids."

Davis agreed marketing needed to be more aggressive, although he admitted a balance has to be found. "It comes down to marketing dollars and return on investment," Davis said.

Lafayette Gatling's Gatling Charter Service buses also came under discussion. Council heard of Gatling's expansion of charter bus service into North Carolina — Gatling received his license to operate a charter service in North Carolina this past August. According to Jackie Freeman, who manages Gatling's North Carolina charter operations, the company did 19 charter trips from October 2009 to December 2009. "Of course it's slowed down from December until now," Freeman said, "They tell me it will pick up in March."

Copyright © 2010 Roanoke Daily Herald

Comments

    Grover Rook wrote on Feb 10, 2010 7:44 PM:

    " The Roanoke Rapids Theatre is a much needed breath of fresh air that everybody in the Roanoke Valley can and should support and benefit from. The success of the venue depends on big and small, national and local talent, more cooperation and good ideas with fewer reasons as to why it should fail. "

    Another Irritated Taxpayer wrote on Feb 10, 2010 11:45 AM:

    " It's high time to get heads out of the sand. That theater has been a loser since Day 1.

    Where are all the other "attractions" this boondoggle promised? Where are the jobs that were to be created? Where the heck is the money going?

    I am tired of increased taxes for nothing. Close the thing down and let's move on. "

    MyFathersDaughter wrote on Feb 9, 2010 11:09 PM:

    " The Theater has great potential. I am sure that Randy Parton had good intentions, but he lost sight and became
    self-focused. I do believe that this theater would be great for seminars, such as Joyce Myers. A great place for Christian speakers, and Contemporary Christian artist. Roanoke Rapids needs to put God back in the picture to help this work. There are a lot of good people in this city, with money that would like to see good things happen there. Things of encouragement for our world, and not violent things alone. I am not saying that boxing matches are not good, but we now live in a versatile/multi cultured city. There has to be things that attract all people to it. There is nothing wrong with allowing all sorts of artist to perform there, from Country to, Rock, Rap, Jazz, to Alternative and Contemporary Christian and Gospel. If the new theater manager realizes this, it will turn the theater into something
    rewarding for the city and the owner and
    the state. If the new manager can't do this then, replace him. You know Valentines is almost here and this could have been a terrific time for a Marriage
    Building retreat with a christian speaker there Christian recording artist, and a package deal with the hotel next door. I am sure it would have gone over great. Anyway I am just
    expressing my feelings about this whole thing and I am sure I am not alone.
    If the theater fails this time, It might
    as well become a Mega Church, like Calvary in Charlotte, for all denominations and races, at least that way there would be something for everyone and would be something that God
    would reward and would get the Glory for. "

    Fomer Resident wrote on Feb 8, 2010 2:15 PM:

    " Am afraid nothing Mr. Davis mentioned will bring long-term success to the theatre. Concert goers would prefer a large outdoor venue to a small indoor site. However, with a strong marketing plan (there currently is not one), combined with the rest of the development filling in with other attractions, the theatre could become moderately successful. "

    Michael wrote on Feb 6, 2010 12:45 PM:

    " We would all be better off if they would just bulldoze the theater and focus on the ampitheater. If you want to call it that. I went to several shows there and they were great. Less expenses and upkeep and I believe more people would rather go to shows outside rather than in that small theater. Face it, you can't book big names in the theater but we got Sugarland, Hank, Gretchen, Kelly Pickler and many others to come to the ampitheater. Va. Beach and Raleigh do well with theirs. Emporis got Vince Gill but we couldn't. What's wrong with that? "

    Get Real wrote on Feb 6, 2010 9:07 AM:

    " If the Gatlings can't make the theater work, then why don't we give the second in line a try. Remember there were others who wanted to purchase the theater! The second in line's offer was alot better for us than what the Gatlins business deal is currently! "

    Greg Daughtry wrote on Feb 4, 2010 12:55 PM:

    " This is just about the biggest joke EVER! There is NOTHING attractive about the events presented by Mr. Davis. This is a MULTI MILLION DOLLAR ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY that has financially strapped the good people of Roanoke Rapids and all Mr. Davis can come up with is boxing matches, "Catch a star, be a star", second-run movies, blue grass/barbeque festivals, and The U.S. Census Gala...what's up with that?????

    Mayor Doughtie needs to put Dwight Berry in charge of "all things theater" related. THEN rename the theater "The Paramount" or "The Roanoke Rapids Center for the Performing Arts", throw a concert grand piano up on stage and let Dwight take it from there and watch the money roll in. "

    KRG wrote on Feb 3, 2010 7:55 PM:

    " I hope the City Council sees the flaws in all of this. Have they even bothered to take a look at similar venues in other small markets?

    " with the recent sucess of the boxing show"
    They had 300 people!

    It seems pretty obivious that Mr. Gatling did not get into the theatre deal to promote events at the venue.If he had they would have a full schedule by now. Maybe this is a land deal or they think casino gambling will be approved. Whatever it is, it's not a functional venue.

    If the people involved in this venture worked for a legitimate theatre, they'd all be fired for lack of production. "

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Daily Herald is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in rrdailyherald.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Daily Herald. The Daily Herald does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Daily Herald spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)