that waits in opportunity for us once the community helps us raise the first 40 percent. (It’s like the government put theatre restoration on sale – but for a limited time! Must act now!) What is already tipping the scale is the wealth of connections wrapped up in the Ritz, and the resulting impact the city will experience from those connections. Discussing the Ritz as a tipping point for Corpus Christi can be quite a debate. If you are an analytical person, you might say, “you can’t quantify inspiration, pride and hope!” And you might be right. Some people want guarantees. “How do I know it’s going to work?” you ask. Ultimately, there are no guarantees. But if you look closely, you’ll understand that the restoration is already working. The Ritz is already elevating and changing lives. Historic theatres, especially fancy “atmospheric” theatres, have the unique ability to be relevant and exciting to every age group, interest and income level. For example, guided by the leadership of architect Laura Bennett, Del Mar College created an architecture and drafting class around the Ritz. Students crawled into every nook and cranny to redraw the plans for the building (which we didn’t have and desperately needed). Thanks to Bennett, the plans will be housed in the national Library of Congress. From an entertainment perspective, almost every musician croons over all the big talent who once stood in the very same spot on the Ritz stage. Clarissa Serna, who appeared on NBC’s “The Voice” this year, has already been a catalyst for progress in just a few short months. She connected us to Chicas Rock, a local music camp for young girls. Watching the impact the Ritz had on these rockin’ kids made it crystal clear how important it is that the landmark be restored. Once restored, the Ritz will again be a home for film, comedy, dance, drama and especially music. The dynamic programming being planned means something will always be going on. Imagine drama classes for our students, vintage and independent film festivals and up-andcomers and icons gracing the stage to perform in an intimate setting with history all around you. With its sparkling marquee visible as you drive in from the highway, the Ritz will be a solid connection between the hotels and restaurants and the SEA District, beckoning visitors to explore and inspiring them to keep coming back. The Ritz is an icon for hope, change and the rebirth of our downtown. It will change your life if you let it.
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Monica Sawyer is the president of Corpus Christi PATCH, which is dedicated to restoring the Ritz. For more information, visit www.ccritz.com, call 361-887-6055 or email info@ccpatch.org.
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