Community Celebration Planned for The Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre’s long-awaited 100th anniversary celebration is finally on the way. With generous support from the Government of Canada, the City of Windsor will present the Capitol Legacy Celebration as part of Family Day weekend this year in partnership with the Capitol Theatre, Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO), WIFF Windsor International Film Festival, WindsorEssex Community Foundation, and Museum Windsor.
- Event: Capitol Legacy Celebration
- Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023
- Time: 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: The Capitol Theatre, 121 University Avenue West
This community celebration and the Capitol Theatre multi-phase project are made possible, in part by the Government of Canada’s funding of $500,000 through the Legacy Fund component of the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program from the Department of Canadian Heritage, which provides funding for community-initiated capital projects intended for community use.
As previously announced, the City of Windsor added $1.8 million to bring the total investment to $2.3 million in the historic theatre in downtown Windsor. The approved grant application sought funding for a multi-phase project to commemorate the venue’s milestone anniversary with a legacy installation; community celebration; and extensive infrastructure improvements to meet user needs, improve accessibility, and increase energy efficiency.
The celebration program will include the following:
- 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. WSO Family Concerts. $5 ticket cost per person
- 12:45 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Downtown Windsor Heritage Walking Tours
- 1:00 p.m. Anniversary remarks and legacy update
- 2:00 p.m. Artist showcase featuring Windsor Dance eXperience, 4th Wall Music, and the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra
- 3:30 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. Capitol Theatre tours
- 4:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. WIFF screenings of Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
- 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. WSO pop-up exhibit at the Chimczuk Museum, 401 Riverside Drive West
“The City of Windsor invests in the arts, and embraces and supports creative endeavours. Council’s dedication and commitment to the arts is evident, in part, through the purchase of the Capitol Theatre, establishment of a home for the WSO and WIFF within the facility, and ongoing investments into enhancements at the historic theatre. Throughout the Capitol’s over 100-year history, the community, municipality and upper levels of government have provided support to the theatre’s restoration and preservation. We are thankful for the federal government’s current investment at the Capitol Theatre, and for the support of the WSO as we work together to enhance the theatre’s accessibility and role in the arts, culture and heritage community in Windsor. It is wonderful to see this cultural institution celebrated and honoured in this way.”
Drew Dilkens, Mayor of the City of Windsor
Call for Anniversary Video Messages:
As part of the celebrations, the Capitol Theatre is asking individual artists, arts organizations, and residents to show their love for the historic gem by submitting a video memory for the Capitol Legacy Showcase taking place at 2:00 p.m. at the event.
See a sample video below.
Visit our Project Memories website for more details on how to submit your video.
Video submissions will be accepted until February 7, 2023, and interested parties are asked to send questions to [email protected] by email. Submitted content will be included and edited at the discretion of the Capitol Video Team.
Work is currently underway on the project’s infrastructure elements, including:
- Upgrades for ten 25-year-old HVAC units
- Renovations adding 2,000 square feet of useable space
- Replacement of 7,300 square feet of ornate carpet throughout the theatre
- Enhancements to video and lighting equipment
- Stage upgrades
For event updates and information, visit www.CapitolTheatreWindsor.ca.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.