Cloudy

Roanoke Rapids, NC

82°F

Cloudy

Humidity: 62%

Wind: SE at 5 mph

Banner

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 00:05

Shows being booked as city waits on payment


Rate this item
(0 votes)
Wardlaw Wardlaw Artist's website

As Lafayette Gatling continues working on securing financing to buy the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, several events are now planned at the venue through December, Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon told council at its work session tonight.

Following the meeting, City Attorney Gilbert Chichester confirmed the deal for the Chicago businessman to buy the theater was progressing

Simeon said Brencore Entertainment plans a Luther Vandross tribute featuring William “Smooth” Wardlaw on February 18.

They will follow that show up with a Motown tribute later. In April there will be an Easter program while in May there will be a three-day dance recital.

Perhaps one of the more unconventional uses will be June 23 and June 24 when a wedding with some 700 to 900 guests will be held at the venue. Simeon declined to release details on the wedding itself but said the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau anticipates an injection of some $225,000 from the event.

A Christmas show is already planned and Simeon said at least four other shows are in the process of being booked.

In other matters tonight:

Council was told by Public Works Director Larry Chalker cleanup from Hurricane Irene, with the exception of some final grinding, has been completed. The city expects $715,876 in reimbursement. Chalker said 75 percent will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the remaining 25 percent will be released by the state once a final inspection is done.

Was told by Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt and Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky a new brochure is available at the Planning and Development Department which explains the steps and permits that need to be taken to start a business in the city. The brochure will also soon be available on the city's website.

Lance Martin

Lance Martin

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

comments  

 
+5 #7 Kimberly 2012-01-06 18:57
So, is it known, in this deal the city council was dying to get, how long Mr. Gatling gets to let the city twisting in the wind without any money coming forth and paperwork being signed?
Quote
 
 
+4 #6 Sammy 2012-01-05 19:35
Way to Go City Council! Talk about counting your chickens before the eggs hatch! Why release any information, until you have cash in hand! You know he's proven trustworthy! NOT!!!
Quote
 
 
+1 #5 skeptical 2012-01-04 19:19
If Lafayette Gatlin can not raise the deposit for his offer, how can he raise 7.1 million for the purchase. I do not believe he can put this together this time either.
Quote
 
 
+4 #4 Michael 2012-01-04 16:44
So, as predicted, Gatling made an offer when he didn't actually have the money or the backing required. Roanoke Rapids politicians will fall for ANYTHING.
Quote
 
 
+9 #3 Not Convinced 2012-01-04 15:28
Am I the only one who sees a trend with the performances, past and future??? More revenue would be generated if ALL audiences were considered when booking shows.
Quote
 
 
+3 #2 Charlie 2012-01-04 02:45
The city has alredy tried this once and it didnt work, hopefully it will work out this time.
Quote
 
 
+14 #1 troy 2012-01-04 00:17
That was the issue before the types of shows the Theater wanted to put on. There needs to be more variety. Some comedy shows, concerts and live shows. I have gone to Raleigh to see some children live shows that would be great here. Hopefully the new owner won't limit the type of shows they have.
Quote
 

Add comment

All comments posted on rrspin.com must be written in complete sentences with no text message abbreviations. No all caps comments will be allowed, that includes words written in capital letters for emphasis.

There is to be no profanity and there is to be no character assassination even if the person being written about is a suspect in a crime.
Comments that presume knowledge of a person’s home life, financial situation or other personal details will be not be posted as will comments which presume legal knowledge.

All comments must be on the topic of the story and offer the reader’s insight on a particular issue. rrspin.com will cease posting comments if the editor determines readers are infighting with one another and not staying on the topic of a story.

rrspin.com prefers readers use their real names because anonymous posters are accountable for their comments just as readers who post their names are.


Security code
Refresh