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][failed verification] 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.
^"Venue." Cox Capitol Theatre. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2017.
^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.