Join Us for the Downtown Holiday Open House!

The Soo Theatre Project Board of Directors invites you to stop by the Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20, noon to 5 p.m. as part of the Downtown Holiday Open House.

Get a look at the new studios. Take part in singing songs of the season. Have a goodie or two!

Hope to see you there!

STARS Is Up and Running!

S.T.A.R.S. (Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios), located in the Soo Theatre complex, is up and running, with classes being taught in dance (ballet/jazz, ballet/lyrical, pointe, tap and jazz), acting, instrumental music (violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano, harp, saxophone, clarinet, flute) and voice. Also, plans are underway for a teacher of visual arts.

We have 130 students enrolled in weekly classes in our beautiful new studios. STARS Director is Nancy Powers, who is also teaching violin, viola and cello. Please see the photos and biographies of our teachers to learn more about this dynamic newcomer to the community.

Our faculty members are:

• Dance-Dianna George
• Visual Arts-Jeanne Tubman
• Theatre-David Rhinard
• Vocal Music-Karen Hughes
• Instrumental Music-Robert Aldrich, Dottie Case, Debbie Cole, John Ignatowski, Jennifer Parker, Nancy Powers, and Meg Stevens
• Yoga-Lee Carlson
  

The entrance for STARS is where the old American Café was, adjacent to the main entrance to the Soo Theatre. The office is open 10 AM - 6 PM daily, and you can go and view the facilities and enroll for classes. Winter term registration begins December 5. Current STARS students may now pre-register for the winter term through December 2. In the case of private lessons, it may be possible in some cases to begin working immediately with one of our teachers. Come to the studios, or phone (906) 632-1930.

So many people have been working to make this dream a reality, it seems impossible to name them all, for fear an important name may be left off by accident. We will soon be compiling and publishing as complete a list as possible of those who worked to get STARS ready for its opening in September, and those who donated money to help us. Many, many thanks to all of you!

We are always in need of volunteers. Please stop by the office or phone (906) 632-1930 to find out how you can help!

Register Now for STARS Fall 2005 Classes

Music! Dance! Theatre! Visual Arts!

Registration for STARS Fall 2005 is now open. Register in person weekdays 10-5. A class schedule is available online.

S.T.A.R.S. Will Open Its Doors on September 12

For immediate release

SAULT STE MARIE - Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) will open its doors on September 12. Information and registration for classes at STARS will be available in the lobby of the Soo Theatre starting on Thursday, September 1.

Dance classes will be offered in ballet, lyrical, pointe, jazz, and tap. There will be classes for everyone from beginners at age 3 to adults who always wanted to learn to dance. Beginning to advanced theatre classes will also be offered. Introduction to oils and landscapes will be included in the curriculum. Most dance, theatre, and art classes will be limited to 10 students. STARS music studios will offer private instruction and small classes in cello, violin, viola, piano, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, voice, harp, and flute. All classes at STARS will be taught by professional teachers with degrees or years of experience in their fields.

Sign up any weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Soo Theatre. Class schedules, fees, and faculty information will be available at that time. Pre-registration is preferred, but some classes and private lessons can be joined after the starting date of September 12. Interested persons can make appointments for other times to register by calling the Soo Theatre at 632-1930 during the hours of 3 to 6p.m. Information is also available on our website at sootheatreproject.org

"Cool Cities" Program News

Excerpts from The Evening News, August 15, 2005

Year-Old Program to Make Cities Cool Only the Start for Some

PORTLAND (AP)—Riverside boardwalks. Renovated storefronts. Loft apartments.

Those are among the improvements paid for by state grants last year under Gov. Jennifer Granholm's plan to make urban areas across Michigan more appealing to young professionals.

Nineteen projects across the state received grants worth $100,000 in the first year of the "Cool Cities" program. A few cities now have newly renovated buildings. But others still are getting permits or continuing to raise money to supplement the state grants.

Residents in some of the 16 cities that won a grant last year are enjoying new amenities, including parks, river walks and art centers, and their new "Cool City" status.

...

Some officials in cities that received grants in the first year of the program say the awards gave them easy access to state officials who handle permits for urban renewal projects and opened doors to other funding and donated services.

In Sault Ste. Marie, the campaign to restore a 1930s-era theater and improve neighboring storefronts has received about $100,000 in donated services, including most of the work needed to tear down a wall that split the theater stage.

"Our architect estimated the project will cost $3 million, but I think we can do it for less because there already have been so many in-kind contributions," says Colleen Arbic, one of the project organizers. She expects the restoration to take three to five years.

...

See the complete news story