Community Corner

Big Fundraiser Helping Denis Theatre

There is a highball fundraiser at the Reed Smith building in Downtown Pittsburgh to help the beleaguered Denis Theatre get back on its feet.

The group working to rehabilitate is organizing a highball fundraiser this week to help raise money to reopen the legendary movie theater.

The Denis, like Dormont's Hollywood Theater and the former South Hills Theater, used to be one of several local movie theaters in the area.

The charity event at the Reed Smith Building in Downtown Pittsburgh on June 20 will feature Dr. William and Carolyn Byham, founders of DDI International, because of their lifelong supporters of the arts.

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The Puttin’ on the Ritz–A Celebration of the Arts event will showcase cinema, performing art and visual arts for the nonprofit organization’s mission to renovate and reopen the historic Denis Theatre in Mt. Lebanon. Volunteers working to reopen The Denis in 2013 as a movie theater showing independent films, documentaries, foreign films and classics are trying to find ways to get the community involved to rebuild it after it closed in the mid 2000s.

The restoration effort will build an old stage, add two more screens and provide a haven for the visual and literary arts. The Denis Theatre’s mission also includes providing educational programming to school children, seniors and the Greater Pittsburgh community.

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“It’s a nice way for everyone to see the success we’ve had,” event organizer Carol Oxenreiter said. “I think it’s going to be a great event and we’re making a lot of progress in working to reopen the theater.”

KDKA’s Jon Delano will emcee the rooftop gala, and there will be plenty of food and libations with a Roaring ‘20s theme. The event will also feature a silent auction with an arts theme.

The event has an Art Deco theme that is reflected in the food, signature drink and the entertainment. The event will be a way to thank our current supporters and encourage others to join us in revitalizing the Denis Theatre as a Cultural Arts Center for the South Hills.

Tickets are $250 for the VIP cocktail reception that starts at 5:30 p.m., and $150 for the gala, which includes food drink and entertainment. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Denis Theatre Foundation website: www.denistheatre.org/ritz/ .

This article originally appeared on Chartiers Valley Patch.

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