Friends Of The Municipal

Friends of the Municipal Auditorium is a nonprofit member-based organization, dedicated to preserving the unique architectural, cultural and historical heritage of the Municipal Auditorium, and to promoting the auditorium as a tourist attraction, a performance venue, an economic engine and educational opportunity.History of The Friends of the Municipal The Friends of the Municipal Auditorium was incorporated in 2000 and has received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS.A working board of directors was formed that consists of community leaders who share the vision to help resurrect the Municipal to the glory of its storied history. They endeavor to showcase one of the most historic and beautiful buildings in Shreveport, Louisiana, and saw the need to achieve that goal in a systematic result oriented method. In addition to the intricate art-deco design and timeless engineering, the Municipal Memorial Auditorium, completed in 1929 was dedicated to the Soldiers of the Great War and they are determined to promote that legacy.The Municipal has played host to many interesting and diverse events during the past 75 years. It is a city building and has housed many organizations, some of which are: The Caddo Parish Health Services, Early Aircraft Warning System (this predates RADAR), Caddo Council on Aging, The Pelican Chapter of The Girl Scouts of America, Daughters of the Confederacy, Shreveport Parks and Recreation, The City Shop and at one time, the City Morgue. Once a week for most of its 75 years, Mid-South wrestling called the Municipal home. It was also used as a temporary barracks during WWII, but its most prolific regular tenant was a nationally broadcast radio program called, The Louisiana Hayride. Many, many stars began or furthered their careers from the Municipal’s stage, including Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and George Jones just to name a few.The hall continues to be scheduled regularly for musical performances, comedians and varied community use. For nearly 50 years in early April, a festival to celebrate the Louisiana Purchase, called Holiday In Dixie has utilized the Municipal for the major part of their events. The building is still regularly used for Mardi Gras Balls, boxing matches and graduation ceremonies. The Municipal was engineered with superior acoustics. Virtually every play, symphony, orchestra, recital, and dance was held there until genre specific venues were constructed in the late 50's and early 60's. It has a large stage; generous dressing areas and seating for approx. 3,200 filling a need for a medium sized venue.Although the Municipal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the building continued to be the victim of long-term neglect until efforts to revitalize her began in 1994. Air-conditioning has been installed in most of the building and with the addition of ramps and an elevator, compliance with the American with Disabilities Act has been complete. Major renovations of the Restrooms were finished in April of 2004, but there is still a lot of work to be done to restore the Municipal to the level she deserves. It is the passionate commitment of the Friends of the Municipal to execute those improvements and be able to showcase her as the landmark she truly is.The events at the Municipal has touched many lives though the years and it is a tribute to the citizens, fans and generations to come that we proactively promote and preserve her legacy. In January of 2001, the street address of the Municipal officially became 705 Elvis Presley Avenue, and shortly after that, the first dressing room used by Elvis was adorned with photographs and contracts and christened, “The Elvis Presley Dressing Room!"Vision Statement Our working board has set up some short and long-term initiatives. Our vision to be the economic catalyst to create jobs, increase tourism, promote our unique heritage and culture and provide people the opportunity to learn about her history, is well on way to becoming reality!Museum We wanted to establish a museum that showcases the varied events and personalities that have been programmed there. To do this we secured a cooperative endeavor with the City of Shreveport to utilize space for purposes that are outlined here. The museum and exhibit areas will continue to grow because we feel that this building and the events here have touched many peoples lives, we will be inundated with memorabilia and artifacts to show that. The contined growth of the museum requires further expansion into other areas of the hall. One of our most prized items is an outfit actually worn by Hank Williams, Sr!Tours We have been blessed to coordinate with the Caddo Council on Aging who has provided us with the man-power to give tours of the Municipal on a regular basis. The tour guides are exited and have been given tours themselves by the legendary Frank Page and B. B. Davis, among others. We know the demand it there, because oftentimes we see tourists and sightseers pass in front of the Municipal. These guided tours include facts about the area immediately surrounding the Auditorium, point out the unique architecture and engineering details that make her so unique. Music is incorporated throughout the tour that will conclude in the Museum and gift shop. A great deal of research has been done and is on-going documenting events and establishing a time-line of the Municipal's history.Gift Shop After investigating other museums of similar appeal, we realized a retail gift shop would be a revenue source we wanted to take advantage of. To capitalize on this, we are setting up a gift shop that will include several Elvis sanctioned souvenirs and music of local artists. It will include a number of other items and especially music of some of the performers who have graced her stage.Web Site To optimize the marketing of our project, we are implementing a web site, StageofStars.com. We feel this will spark interest as well as be a strong revenue generator for our unique gifts. The web site will incorporate all of the aspects of our directives stated here, including membership development into the Friends, historic information and links to appropriate web sites.Fund Raising In addition to our gifts being a revenue source, we are going to take advantage of two major anniversaries that occur this year. Both are going to bring a great amount of attention to our initiatives: The 50th anniversary of Elvis' professional debut on the stage of the Municipal. Elvis made a guest appearance on The Louisiana Hayride October 16th, 1954. He was signed to a two-year contract two weeks later on November 6, 1954. Once every 50 years, an event happens that changes the world. We are proud to be celebrating one this October 16th! We are promoting this event internationally with the U.S Chamber of Commerce. The actual celebration will be preceded by a month-long series of events building up to a Concert featuring Elvis’ living band members, including Shreveport’s own, James Burton! The 75th anniversary of the dedication of the Municipal Memorial Auditorium. We are working on a birthday party befitting the legend of the Municipal. On November 11th, The Municipal will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of its dedication. We plan on putting together a celebration that will have broad appeal and take visitors back in time. There will be many activities for those not interested in dancing and will have a silent auction to help us raise money to further our mission. This will be a night to remember!Membership Development The Friends have implemented a membership program where people can join at different monetary levels. This is being established simultaneously as our brochures and rack cards are being up-dated to market and document the constantly developing enhancements we are making at the Municipal. The brochures will be distributed throughout the state at State Visitor Centers and multiple attractions. Membership advantages are being developed.Clean up The Friends of the Municipal, in collaboration with Shrevecorps, Shreveport Green, Barksdale Air Force Base, Friends of Oakland Cemetery, Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal and all of the business' and churches in the area are slated to give the area a make-over May 22nd in preparation for our Museum's grand opening. Already the city has repainted curbs and permission has been solicited from private property owners to help them remove unsightly trash and mow overgrown brush.Music Trail In collaboration with the Tex Ritter/Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, Memphis Who in Memphis and these other towns, Jackson, Tupelo and Nashville, The Friends of the Municipal is championing the effort to establish a music trail that will attract visitors to our area who may not have known about our music history.Programming and Marketing The Friends see the advantage of taking over marketing and programming of the Municipal. The venue is just one of many that the city has to offer potential users. It is in just north of Downtown Shreveport, easily accessed by I-20 and I-49. We recently enlisted the services of a 40-year local television personality, Mr. Bob Griffen to meet with groups such as the Rotary Clubs and other civic organizations to bring attention to one of the great things happening in our community. We are working with local hotels to create packages that will appeal to the leisure and group traveler.Director A permanent director will oversee our initiatives as well as the long-term goals of our vision. Briefly some of these include:Continued updating and enhancement of the building, making it more functional, competitive and visitor friendly, thereby increasing the frequency of usage. Basically, some of the primary areas of concern are the antique stage features that include loading challenges, renovated stage rigging, as well as electrical and lighting upgrades. Incorporating community partners, such as The Songwriters Guild to program a weekly showcase of local talent that will eventually become a syndicated music program to further establish Shreveport’s identity as a creative musical scene. Establish Educational components particularly directed at children, such as an overnight guitar camp. Establish a College accredited Museumology course housed in the Municipal where, as students are learning the techniques of acquisitions, cataloguing, archiving, displaying and proper displaying techniques, they can be utilized throughout the community to help area museums achieve optimum success. Improve public perception by working with the city to upgrade lighting and parking around the Municipal Work with the city to establish and anchor on the West side of Downtown and create a transportation link to tie all of the attractions, dining, accommodations and parking areas together. Work with The Foundation for Artists, Musicians and Entertainers (FAME) and other community partners to redevelop the area in a fashion consistent with a positive quality of life vision. Take a pro-active approach to establish a Neighborhood Association to lobby for continued oversite to beautify and restore the area as a great place to live, work and play. Ultimately establish The Friends of the Municipal as the entity that programs and markets the Auditorium.