PunBB

Hey if you've ever wanted to get into the theatre and live music business - independent-style and in a cool part of Vancouver - Ms. Jhayne Holmes has a pitch for your regarding what used to be called "The New York Theatre" on Commercial drive (and more recently as a Bollywood theatre called "The Raja")

Quote:Vancouver's about to have a new venue... with your help!

The Raja Theatre, most recently a Bollywood movie house, has come up for sale. With a history dating back to 1913, the theatre has been home to local theatre and live acts like Neil Young, Sonic Yourth, and Jane Siberry. Now the opportunity to again make it a hub of local art and performance presents itself. It is my intention to transform the space into Heart of the World, a multi-disciplinary arts facility featuring inspiring work from all over the globe that recaptures and surpasses its previous glory. Read the whole story here.

Through a phenomenal wave of support, we managed to raise the $48,000 deposit in under a week. I personally delivered it to the realtor on Friday, December 8th. This means that we have effectively called dibs in a very loud and legal voice. No one who wants to tear The Raja down can get their hands on it.

Our next step is to shop the business plan to investors and raise a minimum of $500,000 for our down-payment.

Remember, our deadline is January 15th. We raise half a million dollars by then and we'll have a new venue. This is not impossible. Even ten dollars from everyone who visits Foxtongue.com would be a significant amount. We can do this, we just have to work. (And pass this on).

Not as bad a goal as one might think, when that's only 2500 shares. Two thousand shares and some change, that's all we have to sell to get this.
And for those people still asking - yes, you can still buy shares. They're $200CAN each. It isn't too late. I'm sure they make great gifts too. Just email me: <!-- e --><a href="mailto:jhayne.holmes@gmail.com">jhayne.holmes@gmail.com</a><!-- e -->.

I just had a tour of the place and despite 10 years of only rats giving a rat's ass about it, there's a gem of a venue here. Pretty sweet place for a gig. Hell, I even remember seeing Our Lady Peace there back in the early 90s, i.e. back when they mattered But really, it's a helluva spot to see a show.

Ms. Holmes seems to have put together a very grassroots concept - which she calls "Heart of the World" - for opening the project for people to participate in reviving the theatre (rather than having it torn down for more condos). I tried to get some word out earlier this week with with a short-notice show at the Media Club, which was fun and all, but there doesn't appear to be much time left. Some radio interviews are going be coming up on CBC Radio 1 and further info can be found at the project's website www.foxtongue.com.

Have look and help her out if you can!

thanks for your attention

-jf

What do I get for my $200?

chris Wrote:What do I get for my $200?

an ownership share in the company that makes the actual purchase

see this pdf for more info...

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.foxtongue.com/HOTW_1Page.pdf">http://www.foxtongue.com/HOTW_1Page.pdf</a><!-- m -->

cheers,

jf

Late-breaking story at the CBC...

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cbc.ca/arts/theatre/story/2007/01/12/raja-campaign.html">http://www.cbc.ca/arts/theatre/story/20 ... paign.html</a><!-- m -->

Quote:Internet campaign aims to save Vancouver theatre
Last Updated: Friday, January 12, 2007 | 2:28 PM ET
CBC Arts

A Vancouver artist is scrambling to raise enough money to save a theatre from the wrecking ball with an innovative campaign that involves selling shares to the theatre.

Jhayne Holmes is fighting to save the Raja Theatre in East Vancouver with an internet endeavor that has the goal of turning the 475-seat theatre into a multidisciplinary arts centre she calls Heart of the World, which will help satisfy Vancouver's need for performance space.

Shares are being offered on Foxtongue.com at $200 each.

The Raja Theatre was most recently a Bollywood cinema, but it has a long history dating back to 1912, including a period in which it was known as The York and hosted performers such as Neil Young and Jane Siberry.

Holmes put a $48,000 deposit, including $10,000 of her own money, on the Raja in December and has since raised $250,000 through the internet.

"We got a thousand hits on the website in the first 24 hours and we hadn't even finished the website yet," she told CBC Radio.

But she needs another $250,000 by Monday to meet a deadline from the seller.

"Or the other people get the building who want to tear it down and put condos up, and the money goes back to the people who gave it to me …except for my money, my life savings," she said.

If she is successful in raising the money, Holmes's plan for Heart of the World is to allocate two days each week to film, theatre, and music.

She also wants to provide a place where Vancouver filmmakers, musicians and theatre people can network.

Plenty of history: The Raja opened as a recital hall and arts centre in 1913, became home to the Vancouver Little Theatre Association for 54 years and became the York Theatre in 1941.

The Raja has a proscenium stage, a projection booth, a concession stand and a great deal of potential, Holmes said, but she admits it's a fixer-upper.

"Well, here's the fun part. I have this gigantic army of volunteers crawling out of the woodwork. I've got painters and plasterers and a couple plumbers and people who know how to deal with old electrical work. Everyone wants to come and help."

Holmes has been involved with Vancouver's theatre scene and creates the annual Zombiewalk festival.

She has invited theatre people such as David Bloom of Felix Culpa and Michael Green of One Yellow Rabbit, filmmaker Alastair Macleod of the Vancouver Film School and arts festival administrator Jay Harmer to join an advisory board for the venue.