Dear Friends:

January 6 marks the Centennial of the opening of Vancouver's Pantages Theatre. One century ago, it stood for everything that was beautiful, new and exciting in theatre.

Today, the Pantages remains all of that, and has also become a beacon of change and hope in the Downtown Eastside.

We need your help.

We need you to write a letter of support to:

The Mayor and Council
453 West 12th Avenue,
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V5Y 1V4

With the support of the City, the Pantages will be fully restored as the dazzler it once was, and upgraded to modern technical standards. It has a superb acoustic, seats 650, and will offer new lobbies, a rehearsal studio, an enlarged pit, and every modern amenity. It will be restored with meticulous attention to its irreplaceable heritage value. And, it will be managed in the public interest by the non-profit Pantages Theatre Arts Society, on long-term lease from its developer.

If you believe that live theatre will make a difference in the Downtown Eastside, please tell City Council.

If you believe that Western Canada's oldest theatre deserves to be saved and restored, please tell City Council.

If your own company in music, dance, theatre, film, video - whatever your art may be - believes that you need and would use such a theatre, please tell City Council.

And if you see a chance to add a first class, mid-size facility to the performing arts in Vancouver, please tell City Council.

In the last two years, we have held more than 320 meetings in favour of the Pantages Project, and toured more than 1400 people through it. You probably remember the day you first saw it. I do, and was astonished.

If we do it right, together we will restore a theatre, and renew a neighbourhood. If we do it right, the Pantages will last another hundred years.

Thank you for considering this. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions, ideas, or support.

Respectfully Submitted,

Peter Fairchild, President
Pantages Theatre Arts Society
PO Box 88393, Vancouver, BC V6A 4A6
In Partnership with the Community Arts Council of Vancouver

PS: We would appreciate a copy of your letter, by e-, to cb0bc@PROTECTED. Thanks!