Can the Majestic Theatre roll out the red carpet to more artists?
Its a marquee occasion when a handsome cultural landmark makes it to its 100th birthday. But in a city like Dallas that so often dispenses with its history with a wrecking ball, the centennial of the Majestic Theatre downtown is all but a miracle that should have Dallasites rejoicing in the streets. The stunning Renaissance-style theater-turned-concert hall reached 100 years in April  the last remnant of what used to be Dallas famed Theatre Row on Elm Street. Two years ago, civic leaders started planning festivities to mark the milestone, including a dinner that would help pay for community events and a concert. But then the coronavirus pandemic scrambled everything, and organizers were left wondering if celebrating in person would even be possible. The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine encouraged organizers to raise the curtain on their plans after all. They also recognized that the Dallas arts world had bled tens of millions of dollars because of the pandemic, and they decided to not only host a few events but launch something lasting. A sold-out gala scheduled for Sept. 18 will raise money to establish a fund to help small arts groups and economically disadvantaged schools rent the theater for programming and performances that can generate revenue for them. A free open house for the public will also take place in September. Kristina Whitcomb, a development consultant working with the Hoblitzelle Foundation and the city of Dallas, told us the goal is to start the fund with $100,000 and go from there. To that we say, bravo! When groups rent out a theater, theyre not just paying for the space. Generally theyre also billed for technical assistance and other support services. Whitcomb estimated that renting a theater can cost from $8,000 for a modest performance to upwards of $20,000 for a complex event. The Friends of the Majestic Fund will act as a sort of scholarship for arts groups and public schools that cannot afford to rent the theater on their own, Whitcomb said. The Hoblitzelle Foundation, named after theater mogul Karl Hoblitzelle, gifted the Majestic Theatre to the city of Dallas in 1976. Its really about accessibility, Whitcomb said. We just want to make sure this gift is accessible to everyone.  As weve written before, spaces for small and mid-size arts groups in Dallas are in short supply. This civic initiative dovetails nicely with city efforts in recent years to create more performance venues and to increase grant funding for arts organizations that reflect Dallas cultural diversity. Whitcomb said the Friends of the Majestic Fund will be fiscally sponsored by Sammons Center for the Arts, the local and nationally recognized arts incubator, which will provide financial services and oversight. Centennial organizers are in the process of formally setting up the fund and a board that will evaluate requests from arts groups. Were thrilled about what this effort means for Dallas: a red carpet for new audiences at the Majestic and a more vibrant downtown glowing with the talent of people from across the city. More adults and children streaming into this arts palace of crystal chandeliers, ornate moldings and red velour seats. More artists channeling the grit that makes this city great and sharing its limelight.