Hargray Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre, is located in downtown Macon, Georgia, United States, on 382 Second Street. The Capitol Theatre serves as a live entertainment venue.

History

Commercial Savings and Loan was the first building located at 382 Second Street.[1] It was built in 1897, but closed shortly after. In 1900, Strong Shoe Company purchased the building and resided there for 15 years.[1] According to the Macon Daily Telegraph, the Cox was converted into a movie theater in 1917 and was officially opened to the public."[2] In 1917, The Capitol Theatre became the first public venue to offer air conditioning.[3] After 58 years, the Capitol Theatre closed in 1975. The venue reopened in 2006 as a movie house and concert venue. [4] In 2013, The Moonhanger Group – owners of downtown dining favorite The Rookery, beloved H&H Restaurant, and acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant Dovetail – entered a long-term management agreement with the Theatre.

Today

A man named Tony Long had a vision for downtown Macon, Georgia. He led a group of people and launched a $1.2 million renovation to restore the Cox Theatre.[4] According to Kap Stann's book called "Moon Georgia," the Capitol Theatre reopened in 2006 as the Cox Capitol Theatre as a live entertainment venue.

The Theatre serves as Macon's venue for: concerts, from rock bands to first-class musical tours; second-run movies, such as vintage and independent films; and film festivals.[5][6]

Today the theatre works hard to support events that will continue the rock n roll music legacy of Macon, Ga. One of the largest events sponsored and held at the Capitol Theatre is the Bragg Jam Music Festival.[7] This late summer festival brings in bands from all over the country on top of supporting local artists.[7]

Rentals

The Capitol Theatre serves as a rental space for events such as receptions, parties and fundraisers.

The Capitol Theatre has an open floor plan on the bottom level. Their second level features a balcony with seating for 297. This gives the theatre an overall capacity of 650.[8]

Timeline
  • August 1927: $8,000 permit issued for Capitol repairs
  • October 1930: due to the closing of the Rialto, the Capitol becomes the number one theatre in Macon for first-run movies.
  • May 1946: the Capitol gets renovations which include air conditioning and candy and popcorn bars.
  • April 2006: Cox Communications donated $300,000 to sponsor a lighted theatre marquee that replicates the one that was on the building when it first opened in 1916.[9]
  • 2013: The Moonhanger Group took over operations of the theatre.

References
  1. "Hargray Capitol Theatre - Macon, Georgia." Hargray Capitol Theatre - Macon, Georgia - Venue for Movies, Music, Events and Meetings. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. <http://www.hargraycapitoltheatre.com/history.htm>.
  2. Morris, Linda S. "Capitol Theatre receives grant for sound system." Macon Telegraph, The (GA) (2006): Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.
  3. "Hargray Capitol Theatre - Macon, Georgia." Hargray Capitol Theatre - Macon, Georgia - Venue for Movies, Music, Events and Meetings. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. <http://www.hargraycapitoltheatre.com/about.htm>.
  4. Manley, Rodney (September 19, 2010). "Cox Capitol Theatre's New Staff Making Big Changes". Macon Telegraph. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  5. "Hargray Capitol Theatre." Hargray Capitol Theatre - Macon, Georgia - Venue for Movies, Music, Events and Meetings. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. <http://www.coxcapitoltheatre.com/_pages/about.htm Archived 2010-07-01 at the Wayback Machine>.
  6. Stann, Kap. "Heartland Georgia." Moon Georgia. 186+. Google Books. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. <https://books.google.com/books?id=hyREtXrR90IC&pg=PA186&dq=The Cox Capitol Theatre&hl=en&ei=63r2TJDWCMOqlAeh7Z3BBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=The Cox Capitol Theatre&f=false>.
  7. "About". Bragg Jam. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  8. "Venue." Cox Capitol Theatre. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2017.
  9. Fabian, Liz. "Let it show: Inaugural film festival gets under way in Macon." Macon Telegraph, The (GA) (2006): Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 1 Dec. 2010.
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