Film buffs: You are cordially invited to a “Wrap Party” this weekend.
The Friends of the Howard Theatre, a newly formed nonprofit, will be hosting its first fundraiser to support efforts to renovate and reopen the 100-year-old movie house from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, on the grounds of Talbot Commons, 616 Talbot St.
“This is going to be the first of what we hope will be many fundraisers over the next several months,” said President Mike Kaspar. “The main reason is to bring in memberships. We hope people, when they come, will learn about the renovation of the theater and what the board is doing.”
The event will feature a silent auction, as well as free activities including face painting from Chelsea Beidler with the Wavey Potato, a photo booth from Endless Events ATX, an outdoor screening of the 1927 film “Metropolis” and snacks and drinks that match the era of the Howard Theatre’s inception, curated by board member Peter L’Heureux, a retired professional caterer.
“The menu will be very old-fashioned,” Kaspar said. “It will be reminiscent of what it would be like to go to a movie theater (in the 1920s).”
Finger foods such as miniature quiches, popcorn bags, pigs in a blanket, Sugar Babies, Raisinets and more will be offered, organizers said.
Channing Kingery-Boles, the owner of the Howard Theatre and a Friends board member, said the silent auction includes donated keepsakes from area businesses.
“I think we probably have 28 items up for sale, and everything there is local stuff,” she said. “(This includes) a $50 card to Sweet and Southern Finds and a bouquet of flowers from Dee’s Flowers that you can bid on.”
In addition, attendees will have a chance to buy coffee at Haciendo Coffee Roasters, a micro roaster, which recently debuted its first brick-and-mortar location next door, at 116 W. Sixth St.
“The coffee shop should be open at that time, and so they are graciously letting us use their space, and then the coffee shop is graciously letting us use their bathroom as well,” Kingery-Boles said.
Kingery-Boles said visitors are free to bring the family to the come-and-go event.
“You can get your picture taken, let the kids get their faces painted, bid on the silent-auction items, and then you can learn more about the Friends of the Howard Theatre,” Kingery-Boles said. “All the board members should be there, so you can meet them, and learn how you can become a member.”
For more, visit facebook.com/events/1908930019614748.
