Help save Blairstown NJ's historic Roy's Hall
#oneyeardark
#saveourstages
Saturday, March 13, 2021 marks one year that stages across the state went dark. Locked doors. No shows. What we thought would only be a few weeks has turned into a year. It’s been a struggle to survive, but there’s a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. We can’t wait to be in action again and welcome you back.
Roy's Hall is still here through the generous support of patrons who have donated selflessly to help us pay day-to-day expenses. Long promised financial relief from the government to shuttered venues has not yet materialized and Roy's Hall continues to rely on the support of our patrons to meet our significant fixed overhead expenses and make essential repairs to our historic building. WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!
About Roy's Hall
Roy's Hall is one of the oldest and only small-town neighborhood theaters left in the state of New Jersey. The building first opened as a theatre on April 2, 1913 and began screening silent movies twice a week. Due to overwhelming competition from television Roy’s Hall closed its doors on November 2, 1961 and, over the ensuing years, was repurposed as an antique warehouse, an indoor soccer field and several other ventures. The historic theatre was recommissioned as Roy's Hall on March 17, 2015 by Blairstown Live-Arts, Inc. , a NJ 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Since its 21st Century incarnation, Roy's Hall has established a reputation for presenting the finest in local, regional and nationally touring musical talent and curated art-house cinema. The theatre is widely respected as a premier listening room and is renown for its intimate art-house vibe, excellent acoustics and hi-fidelity audio.
How you can help Roy's Hall and independent arts in NW NJ
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the historic building required constant attention to keep it fit for operation as a public venue for the arts. An extensive remodeling of the lobby, a new concession area, emergency roof repairs and numerous other improvements were all financed through personal funds from our board of directors. That well has run dry and we must now turn to you, our patrons, for the financial support needed to literally keep the roof over our heads, the lights turned on, pay insurance premiums and keep the tax-collector satisfied.
Also under development are innovative technological improvements to adjunct our live in-person performances with virtual webcasts that can be safely enjoyed from home on the Internet. Many of these "live-stream" events will employ local and regional artists, most of whom are struggling through the CV19 pandemic without a living wage.
With this Go-Fund-Me effort, Roy's Hall is seeking to raise funds to repair water damaged interior and exterior surfaces, re-point our front steps and cover expenses related to our new live-stream project. It’s crucial that we reach our goal.
With so much at stake we really need you to chip in what you can so we can turn things around while we await the return of our beloved in-person audiences. Can you help Roy's Hall reach our goal with a tax deductible donation today?
And don't forget, if you can, reach out to a friend who works in the arts to make sure they're ok, be grateful if you are able to return to work. And again, PLEASE wear your mask (over your mouth AND your nose), get vaccinated... and wash your hands!!!
- C
- E
- A