Moving pictures may entertain Riverheaders once again at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, if Vail-Leavitt board members Bob Barta and Vince Tria can raise the funds needed to purchase equipment.
Tria says the Vail-Leavitt wants to show classic films on Sundays. The organization would seek to partner with downtown restaurants on a "Sunday at the Movies" combination deal. He thinks a $25 ticket could buy dinner at a participating restaurant and a seat in the historic theater.
Tria said the theater would keep $6 per ticket and the restaurants would get $18 per person. He hasn't yet worked out details with the various restaurateurs, he said, but he believes they'd welcome the Sunday evening business.
The equipment cost is estimated at about $5,000, Tria said. That will buy a projector that connects to a laptop, an electric-powered retractable 16-foot-wide movie screen and an upgrade to the sound system. Labor will be donated, except for the wiring, Tria said.
The Vail-Leavitt treasurer floated the idea past Town Board members at Thursday's work session, hoping there was some possibility of finding grant money. Vail-Leavitt board president Barta had asked for $5,000 from the town's community development 2012 block grant, but the project is not eligible for CDBG funding, Riverhead Community Development Agency director Christine Kempner said.
If the Vail-Leavitt can raise the money for the equipment, Tria said the theater would start the shows this summer.
Donors can mail contributions to Council for the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, P.O. Box 147, Riverhead, NY 11901, and should write "movie equipment" on the memo line of the check, Tria said.
Johnny Winter at 2012 blues & music fest?
Tria met with Town Board members Thursday to discuss the Riverhead Blues and Music Festival, planned for June 16 and 17. The board is expected to approve the organization's special event permit at its next regular meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Tria said he wants to be sure the permit is approved before signing contracts with musical acts. He said he's tentatively booked Johnny Winter as the Sunday headliner.
"I want this to be the biggest and best festival ever," Tria said after the meeting. "It's probably going to be my last. I'm getting old and I don't have the energy for it," said Tria, who turned 80 in December.