Hargray Capitol Theatre facts for kids
The Capitol Theatre is a cool place for live shows in downtown Macon, Georgia, USA. You can find it at 382 Second Street. It's a historic spot where people go to enjoy music and other fun events.
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A Look Back: History of the Capitol Theatre
The building where the Capitol Theatre stands today was first built in 1897. It started as a bank called Commercial Savings and Loan. After a short time, a company called Strong Shoe Company bought the building in 1900. They stayed there for 15 years.
In 1917, the building was changed into a movie theater. It was officially opened to the public that year. The Capitol Theatre was very special because it was one of the first public places to have air conditioning! Imagine how cool that was on a hot Georgia day.
The theater stayed open for 58 years, showing movies and hosting events. But in 1975, it closed its doors. Many years later, in 2006, the Capitol Theatre reopened. It became a place for both movies and live concerts.
In 2013, a group called The Moonhanger Group started managing the theater. This group also owns popular restaurants in downtown Macon. They helped make sure the Capitol Theatre continued to be a great place for entertainment.
What's Happening Today
A person named Tony Long had a big idea for downtown Macon, Georgia. He led a team that worked to fix up and restore the old Cox Theatre. They spent about $1.2 million to make it new again!
In 2006, the theater reopened as the Cox Capitol Theatre. Today, it's a busy place for live entertainment.
The Capitol Theatre is a popular spot in Macon for many different events, including:
- Concerts, from rock bands to big musical tours.
- Special movie showings, like old classic films and independent movies.
- Film festivals, where new and interesting movies are shown.
The theater works hard to keep Macon's rock and roll music history alive. One of the biggest events held there is the Bragg Jam Music Festival. This festival happens in late summer and brings bands from all over the country. It also helps local artists share their music.
Renting the Theatre
The Capitol Theatre can also be rented for private events. People use the space for parties, special gatherings, and fundraisers.
The main floor of the Capitol Theatre is open and spacious. Upstairs, there's a balcony with seats for 297 people. This means the theater can hold up to 650 people in total!
Important Dates: Capitol Theatre Timeline
- August 1927: The theater got an $8,000 permit for repairs.
- October 1930: The Capitol Theatre became the top movie theater in Macon for new movies. This happened after another local theater, the Rialto, closed.
- May 1946: The Capitol Theatre got some cool updates. These included new air conditioning and places to buy candy and popcorn.
- April 2006: A company called Cox Communications gave $300,000 to help build a new lighted sign for the theater. This sign looks just like the original one from when the theater first opened in 1916.
- 2013: The Moonhanger Group started managing the theater's daily operations.
