Wealthy Theatre launches week-long Fall Fund Drive with virtual events, marathons, giveaways

Wealthy Theatre is hosting a five-day Fall Fund Drive to raise funds for its survival amid continued theater shutdowns, and celebrate the kind of free virtual events it’s been organizing during its closure.

Launched Monday, the fund drive runs through Friday and features daily online events, as well as Wealthy Theatre-related marathons airing on WYCE and GRTV – fellow services of the theater’s parent organization, Grand Rapids Community Media Center (CMC). It also includes daily incentives and giveaways for those donating during the drive.

Six months into the pandemic-related shutdown of theaters across Michigan and much of the U.S., Wealthy Theatre’s commitment to reopening its doors to the community has stayed intact.

It’s kept busy in the meantime – hosting free online events such as film watch parties, interactive film discussions, and live streamed concerts – as other industries have slowly been green-lit by the state to reopen.

Now, with a reopening date for Michigan theaters still far from set, it’s asking community members to help it make it to the finish line when that time comes.

“We are very aware of the importance of interpersonal connections, through experiences only live events can offer, and we want to ensure we can reopen our doors to those experiences when it’s safe to do so,” said Wealthy Theatre’s Director, Sarah Nawrocki.

“That is why we are calling on our community to help us on our road to reopening. Every dollar donated to Wealthy Theatre goes towards lighting the marquee, dusting off the chairs, and preparing this historic venue to survive the second pandemic closure of its lifetime.”

The fundraiser kicked off with “Magic Monday,” which brought local comedy magician Trino, a staple Wealthy Theatre performer, back to the theaters’ stage. Streaming live on the theater’s Facebook page, Trino performed magic tricks for viewers, gave them a tour of the theater, and encouraged them to contribute to the theater’s safe reopening.

“This building and the people here are magic – and I mean real magic – and I don’t want to see this go away,” Trino said.

Among “Movie Tuesday” events are a virtual watch party of The Silence of the Lambs and curbside concessions outside the theater. “WYCE Wednesday” events include a WYCE at Wealthy virtual concert featuring Jordan Hamilton, broadcasts of Wealthy Theatre music event highlights on WYCE 88.1fm, and more.

“Throwback Thursday” features a 12-hour GRTV marathon of Wealthy Theatre events, a day of historical photos and stories about the theater, and more. Completing the week is the aptly-named “Grand Finale Friday,” featuring a six-hour virtual scavenger hunt, Grand Prize giveaways, and more.

All events will highlight the community’s opportunity to support Wealthy Theatre during a time when theaters’ absence of ticket sales are endangering the industry as a whole. The National Independent Venue Association said in July that of its members, which includes Wealthy Theatre, 90% stated they’ll close their doors if they didn’t get federal aid from Congress within six months.

“Wealthy Theatre is such a gem of this community, and the community has always supported keeping this venue viable,” said Linda Gellasch, CMC’s Executive Director. “With the necessary safety measures keeping Wealthy Theatre closed at this time, we are asking that our community friends again help sustain this historic treasure.”

Throughout this week and beyond it, Wealthy Theatre’s encouraging one-time donations and recurring donations at WealthyTheatre.org/donate. Recurring donations of $10 or higher enable community members to become Sustaining Donors at CMC, which also enters them into higher giveaway prizes during each day of the Fall Fund Drive.

More details about Wealthy Theatre’s daily fundraiser events and giveaways are available on the Fall Fund Drive’s Facebook Events page.