BRATTLEBORO — Latchis Arts invites the community to a grand re-opening benefit at the Latchis Theatre in downtown Brattleboro. The event on Saturday, Oct. 19 marks the public's first glimpse of the renovations that have taken place since the theater was closed for construction Aug. 1.
Ken Burns, long-time friend of the Latchis, will celebrate the re-opening by screening the fifth episode (1933-1939), The Rising Road, of “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.”
Burns' appearance at the grand re-opening is a benefit for Latchis Arts' Campaign for The Heavens and The Earth.
Dedication by the community allowed Latchis Arts to raise the bulk of $550,000 to transform the historic art deco theater with comfortable new seating, a refreshed zodiac array on a midnight-blue sky, ADA and safety upgrades, and enhanced lighting throughout.
The seven-episode series will be released in 2014 on PBS. Earlier episodes considered Theodore Roosevelt, cousin and uncle to Franklin Delano. The Rising Road was chosen for the grand re-opening to coincide with the history of the Latchis Theatre, which opened in 1938.
Burns will introduce the episode and answer questions.
With less than $30,000 to go to reach the goal, donations to the restoration project are still welcome at www.latchisarts.org or by sending a check to Latchis Arts, 50 Main St., Brattleboro VT, 05301.