Princess Theater preparing for new marquee
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Several musicians and performers are coming together to pack the Princess Theater for a live event Saturday, September 7 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 8 at 2 p.m.
The variety show will celebrate a new marquee sign (coming soon) and show appreciation for the Princess Theater, which continues to provide a safe, fun, place for families to connect with each other.
The old marquee has already been removed to make room for the new LED lighted sign.
Theater Manager, Karen Bender is excited about the opportunities the new sign with provide.
“We can put more event details on the new sign,” shared Bender.
Thanks to community support, the cost of the new sign has already been covered, all money raised from this event will go towards theater operations.
“Running a small town theater is an expensive endeavor and we have tried to be very transparent with the community,” says theater board member Doug Greene, “We have been overwhelmed by the way the community has stepped up to embrace the Princess and help us meet expenses.”
Live music has been instrumental to the Princess Theater from its inception. A Record News clipping from over 100 years ago reveals that silent films at the Mount Ayr Princess Theater in 1917 included a pit orchestra made up of a coronet, clarinet, trombone, drums, piano, and violin.
Local historian Mike Avitt will engage the audience with an entertaining look back in time, and serve as the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the event.
The Pumptown Family Band, featuring the Hynek family, will be among the performers taking the stage to perform a few songs.
Musical groups First Things First Plus and Simply Voices will also be singing several songs.
Ryann’s Dance Academy will also perform select dance routines during the event.
Singer Korbie Rinehart was ecstatic about the opportunity to perform again.
“I was honored when Shaun asked if I would like to participate in the jubilee,” said Rinehart, “I last performed at the Princess in 2012 after I had released an album of original songs, called ‘The Waiting Game,’ so this venue is very special to me.”
She grew up attending many Ringgold Singers shows to watch her grandma, Edna Jones, and pianist Jane Thomas.
Live performances like that were always something she looked forward to. It gave her a reason to meet up with family or friends and “have a ball” according to Rinehart.
“Seeing local people share their gift in public spaces was the best influence I could have ever had in finding the courage to move to Nashville in 2003 to pursue a dream of songwriting,” shared Rinehart.
Now that she is back home and raising her two children in Mount Ayr, trips to the Princess Theater have become an important part of their time together.
Doug Greene also plans to share his musical talents with the community. A seasoned singer and pianist, Greene will take the stage to entertain those in attendance.
“The theater has always been a community hub that connects us to each other and to the larger world,” says Greene, “Our little town is so much richer because of it.”
There is still time if anyone wants to get involved, contact Doug Greene at 641-344-8266.
