Rochester Civic Theatre to host annual gala at the Chateau in October
It wasn't quite the big announcement many — including members of the media — expected.
In a joint news conference Wednesday morning, Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede joined the Rochester Civic Theatre to announce that the historic Chateau Theatre will host a "black-tie" gala on Oct. 10. It will be the first public event since the city approved the purchase of the 88-year-old building in May.
"We will be reactivating this incredible historic landmark, which is so dear to so many in our community, for a one-night-only event benefiting the Rochester Civic Theatre," said Gregory Stavrou, director of the Civic Theatre.
The gala will showcase a number of local businesses and farmers, Stavrou said. Tickets for the event, ranging from $95 to $150, will go on sale Aug. 3.
Mayo Clinic, which contributed $500,000 toward the $6 million purchase price, will also host a event at the Chateau on Oct. 1. However, that event will not be open to the public.
Last week, the Civic Theatre sent out a news release saying there would be an announcement Wednesday of an "upcoming collaboration" with the city. That led to speculation that there could be some "big news" regarding the future use of the Chateau.
But Mayor Brede said the city's still in the early stages of developing a steering committee, which will eventually decide how the city uses the downtown landmark. The committee will consist of city leaders, art organizations and historic preservation advocates, he said.
The topic will be brought up at Thursday's regularly-scheduled meeting of the Destination Medical Center Corporation Board, of which Brede is a member. Depending on feedback from the board, a committee could be set up within the next couple of weeks.
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(Cover photo: Sydney Flottum / The Med City Beat)
