Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation

12/25/2024

With Gratitude for our Blessings…
From your friends at the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation

12/23/2024

There’s still time to put your gift for theDeSoto under the tree!
Donate at www.thedesoto.org or link in bio. Your gift is a gift for our community!

12/21/2024

Thanks to our celebrity bartenders for providing the Holiday cheer! The crowd certainly responded and their hard work was greatly appreciated.

12/21/2024

A few cuts from the Holiday Hangout last night. Flashback made their comeback, for sure!!!

12/21/2024

12/20/2024

Come on down for some Holiday fun! The music starts at 7pm.

12/20/2024

Do you recognize any of tonight’s celebrity bartenders? Swipe to see who you want serving your drinks during the Holiday Hangout with Flashback, a newly-reunited band started by James Collins over 30 years ago. Featuring Jackie Beard on the saxophone and James Willis on piano. And did we tell you that or own CVB’s now sings with them😁

12/19/2024

We've come a long way since this 2012 post (below) by the Fox Theatre! Thanks to all our supporters and friends that have helped bring the DeSoto back to life!

Come see what other restoration and building improvements we've made over the years, including the most recent ones at tomorrow evening's Hoilday Hangout event! Free concert with Flashback and celebrity bartenders serving up some Chritmas cheer. Mixer begins at 6pm and the music at 7pm.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BjWrFGeUR/

The DeSoto Theatre in Rome, Georgia was the South’s first theatre to be designed for talkies or sound pictures. The 1,500 seat theatre opened in 1929 making it one of the seven largest movie venues in Georgia. In 1982, the theatre closed but soon reopened to house Rome’s local amateur theatre group, The Rome Little Theatre.

For 80 years the DeSoto Theater on Broad Street has been home to cinema and stage productions much to the delight of the citizens of Rome. But the old downtown theater has long needed restoration. The restoration was one of the pilot projects undertaken by the Fox Theatre Institute. The program aims to provide preservation aid and operations expertise to historic performing venues. The DeSoto was one of 15 selected for the first year. Rome Little Theatre President Paul Griffin said the Fox Theatre’s help is making a huge difference for the DeSoto.

The ceiling of the entryway had significant water damage caused by years of a leaky roof, which was fixed a few years ago. Local artisan and plaster craftsman Charles Goulding restored the plaster relief work on the ceiling last year. Then through extensive paint analysis by Molly Fortune, Restoration Director of the Fox Theatre, original colors were realized. Goodman Painting and Decorating then completed the project with the application of original colors.

Photographs by Cooper Carrie

12/18/2024

Ok, it's time for the Bartender Reveal!

We're proud to rekindle Sammy and Severo's ongoing rivalry and can't wait to offer Doug's Holiday concoction, his sweatshirt is a BIG hint! Thank goodness we have Jan to help restore some grace and civility to this storied affair! Truly the "Jewel-er of Broad St!"

12/17/2024

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING!!!
Who are the Celebrity Bartenders for the Holiday Hangout......??? Anybody wanna guess? If you guess them all, you'll get a free cocktail Friday night.

Also, join us this Friday evening and enjoy the musical stylings of FLASHBACK!!! With special guests James Willis and Jackie Beard.

12/17/2024

🎄 Get ready Rome for the Holidays, a magical evening in Downtown Rome, GA this Thursday, December 19th, from 4 to 8 PM!

🎅 Holly Jolly Trolley Rides with Santa – Hop on at 4 PM for a festive tour around Broad Street! (Pick up/drop off at the Town Green.)

🎁Holiday Shopping – From 4-8 PM, downtown shops will have extended hours and special events! Don’t miss the River District Pub Crawl & Shop—shopping and festive drinks await! 🍷

🎬 Family Fun at the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation – Free holiday cartoons for the kids from 4-4:30 PM & 5-5:30 PM, plus a special screening of Elf at 6 PM! (Don’t forget to donate to support the GHC scholarship fund!)

🍸 Exclusive Pop-in Cocktail Hour – Ladies, join the Rome Floyd Chamber Women in Business Group at La Scala from 5-6 PM for drinks, mingling, and supporting local businesses!

12/10/2024

Come hang out with us and FLASHBACK at the DeSoto Theatre’s Holiday Hangout! Join us for a FREE evening of live music, Christmas spirits and fun in downtown Rome. Donations will be accepted.

The newly-reunited FLASHBACK band, started by Dr.James Collins, has performed the best of classic rock, blues, and soul in Rome for over 30 years.

The concert will include a guest performance by Rome’s own Jackie Beard on the saxophone and James Willis on the piano. The band consists of James Collins (guitar); Shawn McCreary (drums); Flip Moore (vocals, guitar & keyboard); Bill Pharr (vocals); Tommy Roberson (bass); Calvin Sherman (guitar); and Lisa Smith (vocals).

Celebrity bartenders from the community will entertain the guest while offering special Holiday Cocktails (not free). Invite your friends!!!

12/03/2024

Kick off the giving season with a gift to the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation and keep the lights shining on the jewel of Broad Street!

No gift is too small. Donations on Giving Tuesday are recognized in the 2024-2025 Annual Fund listing and are designated towards Operations and Maintenance of the historic DeSoto Theatre! Swipe to see how our community has rallied behind the DeSoto Theatre and join our group of donors!

The end of the year also lets us take advantage of tax benefits for larger contributions towards Capital Projects and renovations. Please consider a gift of appreciated stock, IRA required minimum distribution, Donor Advised Funds, or including the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation in your estate planning.

Questions?
Call Michelle Picon at 706 802-9160