WTMD and the Senator in the News

Last month we promised to keep you posted on developments related to the WTMD's proposal for the Senator Theatre.

Two articles about the proposal appeared this week in the Towson Times and Current, a newspaper that covers public broadcasting.

Also, the Baltimore Development Corporation has scheduled a public hearing at the Senator Theatre at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 5th.

Please join us that night to learn about all of the proposals for the Senator's future. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions, and we look forward to seeing you . . .
at the Senator.

WTMD and the Senator Theatre

Dear Friends,

I have some news to share with you. Over the last several months you may have read about the financial troubles surrounding the Senator Theatre and the subsequent auction that placed this beloved landmark’s future in the hands of Baltimore City.

Recently, the Baltimore Development Corporation issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) on behalf of the City. This RFP is seeking ideas that will renovate and rejuvenate the Senator into an active and vibrant center for the community.

WTMD and Towson University have submitted a proposal that would transform the Senator into a multi-use film and concert theater that would also house the WTMD studios and offices.

We envision a space where film retrospectives, gala premiers and themed movie festivals are showcased in the same space as the musical artists you hear on WTMD every day. We want to fill the halls of this beloved palace with children’s programming, fundraisers for community groups and even showcase the multi-media work done by Towson University students. Our goal is to make sure the Senator is alive all day, every day.

The Senator has created countless memories for anyone who has gone on a date or brought their families to see a film in this historic setting. We believe we can continue that tradition by bringing events to the Senator that encourage communication and civility centered around film, music and community.

It will be a long process between now and when the doors to a new Senator might open, no matter who is chosen to renovate this landmark. But I wanted you to learn about our submission from me. We’ll be sure to keep you informed as the process moves ahead.

We have a reverence for the building and our belief is that as times change, buildings like the Senator must continue bind generations together.

We’d like to hear about your thoughts and memories of the Senator. Please take a moment to comment below and share your thoughts and stories.

Please feel free to tell us about a date you might have had there, a movie that touched you, or just how you feel about the building itself. Because, after all, all good things happen . . . At The Senator.

Sincerely,

Stephen Yasko
General Manager

Red Carpet Moments From The Wire

I had the honor of covering the Red Carpet (ok, it was a small red carpet, but hey, Baltimore is more small town than Hollywood and that's what we love about it, right?) for the season 5 premiere of THE WIRE at the Senator over the weekend.

Not only was it a thrill to see and and talk to some of my favorite characters (Bubbles, Bunk and Proposition Joe), but also, to see surreal moments, from Mayor Sheila Dixon attending the screening (there's a City Councilwoman who, despite David Simon's direct reassurances that the character was not modeled after her, at least bears a passing similarity) to the protesters carrying signs that say, "Cut The Wire" written in dripping blood red.

One thing that stuck out for me came from one of the actors, who said, despite the series shining the light on the War on Drugs, institutional corruption, education, media and the plight of urbanity in America, THE WIRE was David Simon's valentine to Baltimore.

The show also had a wicked sense of humor. Check out the "prequel" to the character of Proposition Joe!




and visit this link to hear clips from some of the actors who attended the screening.