Arts Council of the Valley launches fundraiser to replace Court Square Theater seats

Arts Council of the Valley has launched “Save A Seat at Court Square Theater,” a fundraising campaign to replace the seats in Court Square Theater. After 18 years of providing the Harrisonburg-Rockingham community with year-round entertainment, the 250-seat downtown performing arts venue has decided that its seats have had enough.

The goal for the campaign is $75,000 – the cost of purchasing and installing 250 new theater seats. “Court Square Theater has been a central part of downtown Harrisonburg’s revitalization, providing a place for our community to enjoy great films, music and theater. We hope that our patrons will help us invest in the future of the theater for the years to come,” says ACV Executive Director, Jenny Burden. The organization hopes to meet its fundraising goal by April 2017 so that it can purchase and install the much-needed new seats in May 2017.

Since opening its doors in 1998, Arts Council of the Valley’s Court Square Theater has seated over 600,000 visitors, providing downtown Harrisonburg with a diverse program of films, live music, theater, comedy, and community events. The venue has hosted musical acts such as Ralph Stanley, Eddie from Ohio, Seldom Scene, the Hackensaw Boys, and local favorites, the Steel Wheels. The downtown landmark hosts a regular schedule of films, live theater productions by the Valley Playhouse, and has been a venue for annual events such as Super Gr8 and Latino Film Festivals, MACROCK, and First Night Harrisonburg.

Community businesses and individuals are encouraged to support the fundraising campaign. The various levels of support start at $100 and benefits include permanent recognition on theater seats and in the theater lobby, movie tickets, and a limited edition print of Court Square Theater, created by local artist, Elwood Madison III.

Donations can be made online at valleyarts.org/saveaseat, by calling 540.433.9189, or in person at Court Square Theater or Arts Council of the Valley.

Court Square Theater is located at 41-F Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia.