Tag Archives: Capitol Theatre

What Is the Matter with Me?

Posted on August 14, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

This is so embarrassing.  It seems about once, sometimes twice a week, I write a blog post apologizing about not making daily blog posts and promising to do better.  Obviously I do not.  I could offer all manner of excuses and explanations, but excuses are often lame (and it is not Lame Post Friday, alas!) and I always say explanations are tiresome.

All that said, it feels pretty good to be ten-finger typing on my Chromebook, putting down some words, any words.  Why do I no longer do this every day? Why am I asking that again when I JUST SAID that explanations are tiresome?

Looks delightfully evil, yes?

I threw in a picture to jolt myself out of self-incrimination and more tiresomeness.  I have not used this coffee mug in a while, but I have enjoyed my morning coffee, as I do most mornings.  Full disclosure:  Sunday I drank tea, because my stomach was upset.  That tasted pretty good too.

Random picture to denote passage of time while I get more coffee.

The above picture is the Capitol Theatre in Rome, NY, a delightful old movie palace, from back when the term “palace” truly applied.  It is, perhaps, symbolic of my life.  I feel I need to make some changes, begin a new chapter.  Somebody somewhere said there are no second acts in real life, but does anybody really believe that?  I don’t even remember who said it.

Must go here soon.

The theatre picture is also relevant, because I have at least one theatrical project I need to get going on, namely a murder mystery I am writing to be presented for the benefit of Herkimer Historical Society.  This third picture is a local business I may visit soon, Rose Quartz Stand on Mohawk Street in Herkimer, NY (do I have to keep putting NY?).  I want to purchase some iron pyrite for use as a prop in the murder mystery.  Does that pique your interest?  I hope so, as I will no doubt be sharing more about the mystery as I go along.

That is, if I manage to make more blog posts.  I have neglected a few good Mohawk Valley adventures I had recently and hope to remedy the omission (preview of coming attractions).  In the meantime, I thank any readers who are still tuned in, and welcome (dare I hope?) any new ones.

 

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When Will I Return to Rome?

Posted on January 26, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had hopes of making my Throwback Thursday (or some other kind of post) Post on Thursday, but it was a true blogger’s sick day.  I left work with a migraine and spent the rest of the day having a headache.  Migraine sufferers know, sometimes that is all you can do.  But never mind my health woes.  It is early Friday morning (woohoo!) and a Throwback Thursday Post is just what I am in the mood for.  Media Library, here I come!

Isn’t she cute?

I thought I would throw back to previous Mohawk Valley Adventures.  Here is a place I would like to visit again: Franca’s Roma on West Dominick Street in Rome, NY.  They play jazz music!  They serve great wine and great food!  What more could Mohawk Valley Girl ask?

Did somebody say books?

Near Franca’s is Keaton and Lloyd Bookstore.  The Franklin Pangborn Parlor hosts readings and other such events.  Who doesn’t love an independent bookstore?  Oh, I suppose some people don’t, but I think they are wrong.

Books and Groucho Marx? Yes, please!

Here is another view of the bookstore.  In case you can’t read the quote, it is, “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend.  Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”

Regular readers know I live for the theatre.

I close my Roman memories (memories of roamin’ in Rome?  Nah, too cutesy) with an evocative if a little dark shot of the Capitol Theatre, also in the area.  It is a beautifully restored 1920’s theatre.  I myself performed on the stage and in the orchestra pit roughly a hundred years ago.  But we needn’t throw back that far for this post.

There are other delightful destinations on West Dominick Street in Rome.  I really must plan another trip there soon.

 

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Dominick Street Delight

Posted on November 27, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is still Saturday and there is plenty of time for me to make my Scattered Saturday Post.  Full disclosure:  I have already had a few cocktails.  Why not?  It’s the weekend!

At any rate,  I drove into Rome, NY, earlier today to visit family.  My sister Diane and I drove to Dominick Street, which has become quite the artsy area.  We enjoyed a few local businesses.  Not all of my pictures turned out, but I will try to plug a few deserving businesses.

The first place we stopped was The Copper Easel, which includes the Superofficial coffee shop.  My pictures here did not turn out, but we enjoyed looking at some beautiful local art.

From there we went to the Capitol Theatre.  I remember going there when I was a little girl and being so impressed by the ornate decor.  We missed the guided tours, but a young man told us we could explore on our own.  We were delighted to do so.

I just love the look of a curtained stage.

After the Capitol, we went to the Keaton and Lloyd Bookstore.   I love a bookstore!

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” — Groucho Marx

It is a delightful bookstore. It includes a space for community events, such as author readings or book clubs.

I need to publish a book, so I can do a reading here.

After the bookstore, we went into The Balanced Chef.  Full disclosure: we went in to get a stamp, because they were doing a thing where you could qualify for prizes if you got six stamps.  However, I want to go back there when I am hungry.   It looks like a good place to eat.

Note to self: eat a lighter lunch when about to visit downtown Rome.

Next we went to Franca’s Wine Room, where I also did not get any photos.  I went there before with my friend Kim, and wrote about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Hannah, the bartender, remembered me.

Hannah, in a previously taken picture,

I greatly enjoyed my Scattered Saturday,  and my sister  Diane was happy to participate in a Mohawk Valley Adventure.

 

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Ragtime or Rocky?

Posted on October 1, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Many of us begin thinking about the upcoming weekend on Monday.  Sometimes you have to.  Today I am thinking about Saturday night, because I had plans but got another offer.

My plan was to participate in Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park, a fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica. I will join other members of LiFT, Little Falls’ community theatre, dressing in 1920’s costumes and interacting with guests in a Prohibition Era setting. There will be music and drinks in a magnificent setting.  I have participated in this event before; it’s great.

Then I found out that the Capitol Theatre in Rome, NY is showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show!   An interactive screening in a magnificent setting!   I have only seen Rocky Horror on home video and, more recently DVD.  Friends have told me about the audience participation, but I have never witnessed it.  Additionally,  a couple of long time friends (no, they are not old!) are going.

I still plan to go to the fundraiser.  I think people are counting on me.  Full disclosure: I also have a fabulous new dress I am dying to wear.  However, if things were to change unexpectedly,  it’s nice to know I have options.  Also, if I really want to see Rocky Horror,  there will be another showing Oct. 13.  I would just have to find different friends to go with.

At any rate, if anybody says there is nothing to do around here, I fear they are just not paying attention.  Here are two great pieces of entertainment for one Saturday night!

Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 available through Eventbrite.  Rocky Horror Picture Show will be playing at the Capitol Theatre, 230 W. Dominick St., Rome, NY, at 10:30 p.m.   Tickets are available through romecapitol.com.

And for anybody who looked at the times of the events and is about to suggest I fly from Utica to Rome and take in both… Well, let’s just say that is probably not going to happen.

 

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A Capitol Time

Posted on January 21, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Friday night, Steven and I traveled into Rome, NY to the Capitol Theatre to attend a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

The Capitol Theatre is a truly gorgeous old time movie palace. It is where I saw my first movie (Mary Poppins), roughly a hundred years ago. I saw other movies there, till it closed. The building fell on some hard times. It was used occasionally for stage shows such as Rome Catholic High’s musical. Now it’s a Center for the Performing Arts, and they do all kinds of fun stuff there. This is the first event we’ve been able to make it to.

The Capitol first opened in 1928, I recently learned. I just knew it was old. It’s never been renovated, that is, chopped up into a six screen cineplex, for which I am grateful. The ceilings are high and ornate. The balcony goes back forever. It seats over 1,000 people (1,788, according to the brochure I picked up).

Steven and I got there early, so we had time to walk around a little and explore. We climbed up the steps to the balcony. There is a large foyer-type of room with a few comfy chairs and a piano, then you go up another small set of steps and through an opening about a third of the way down the balcony.

We walked up toward the top of the balcony. It went back just about as far as I remembered. I also remembered there being bats, once during a performance of Oklahoma! I was in, one summer during high school. I didn’t see any Friday night, though. With the theatre more occupied these days, perhaps the bats have found other quarters.

We decided to sit right in the front of the balcony. First we went and got popcorn and soda (me) as well as coffee (Steve). I don’t usually drink soda, but they were having a special on a large soda and large popcorn. I didn’t finish either.

The movie was wonderful. Rear Window is one of our favorites, but I have never seen it on such a big screen. The movie concerns Jimmy Stewart, wheelchair bound with a broken leg, looking out his window at his neighbors in the surrounding apartments. It was fascinating to notice all the details I missed on a television screen.

The Capitol hosts a variety of events. We picked up a flier that listed movies, a Celtic-Rock group called The Elders, Joshua Kane’s Psychic show, and others. We voted on next year’s Hitchcock selection (Steve wants Lifeboat, I picked Strangers On A Train). We also hope to return in August for CapitolFest II, three days of silent and early sound films.

For more information on the capitol, visit their website at www.romecapitol.com. You can also like them on Facebook.

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