|
Proposal
to theatre owner Andrew D. Kydes
November
17th 2007
Globe Revival Proposal
Norwalk, Connecticut
Theatre Owner: Andrew D. Kydes
Promoter: Remy Chevalier
In the mid-80s I co-published a state-wide music newspaper called
VoxPop. We organized events at Toads in New Haven, also Anthrax in
Norwalk, and other venues. I’d written up a business plan for an
environmental education center I wanted to open up in Westport. A
friend showed the proposal to Larry Bloch who invited me to
incorporate my ideas into the nightclub he was opening in Manhattan.
In 1989, the
Eco-Saloon at Wetlands was born.
Wetlands became one of the most successful nightclubs in New York,
sadly closing its doors in 2001, but lives on in the hearts and
minds of many, now the topic of a documentary
Wetlands Preserved soon on DVD about its musical and
social impact on history. We were the first environmental nightclub
in the country. A large portion of the club’s revenue went to
promote environmental causes. The direct action portion of the
organization carries on with such victories as encouraging the
Victoria’s Secret catalog to print on recycled paper.
I was born in Norwalk, raised in France where I grew up. My father
was one of the major creative forces of ELLE magazine from 1945 till
the mid-60’s. I moved back to America in 1973. I have been an
environmental activist my entire life. In the course of my career I
solicited the participation of artists, musicians, film makers,
actors, many of them now world famous. In 2006 I took a drive up the
Hudson river to shoot a series of photographs which led to the
creation of
Rock The Reactors, a coalition
dedicated to shut down the Indian Point nuclear power plant.
This is how I came to think about the Globe Theatre again. Because I
find myself in need of a space where I can organize shows, invests
portions of the proceeds into organizations dedicated to this cause.
The Globe was my favorite movie house in Fairfield County… the only
place before video, before the SoNo Cinema, where one could see
alternative films, cartoon matinees… I was thrilled to see it
renovated as a performance hall, then sad and angry when that
venture turned sour while a string of reckless, ruthless, greedy
promoters trashed the space. This is not how I do business.
The neighborhood around the Globe is quickly changing, evolving into
a hub for the green revolution. Recently
Pymander Books, the oldest new age bookstore in
Connecticut, opened right down the street. Next door, the
Centre for Natural Healing,
relocated from Darien with an illustrious clientele.
The Stand, a raw food take-out,
appeals to a new generation in tune with the needs of the Earth.
E, The
Environmental magazine, the longest running publication
of its kind in the country, has editorial offices on Knight street.
Lillian August has just made a firm commitment to sustainable
furniture design.
Green Home Solutions has a showroom
across the street from the
Lime Restaurant.
These are all businesses I have a long standing relationship with,
which the Globe can draw from to establish strong bonds within the
community, outreach into Connecticut, Westchester county, even New
York. Promoting events at the Globe will not be a challenge. I have
commitments from dozens of volunteers who will help me get the
facility up and running. I simply want to be given a chance to turn
the marquee lights back on. My experience, my reputation, my
dedication, my love of music, the arts, and the environment, has
already proved to be a winning combination in hundreds of events and
promotions over the years. I can do it again here.
Currently the Globe is being used to store antics. I ask to be given
one year from the time we relocate this inventory to turn the
theatre into a viable commercial venture. I have some of the most
successful, talented individuals in the entertainment industry on
speed dial, who are willing to give me of their time and resources,
as a community effort, to restore the Globe into a class act, a
space for an A-list crowd, attracting artists and performers from
all over the country, by virtue of the causes the theatre will
support as a result of my participation in its revival.
If we all partake equally in the evolution of this project, it is
possible. This is done through dividing the proceeds of the take at
the door between the performers, the theatre owner, the operating
expenses and the supporting environmental organizations. Like
everyone else, I donate my services. I ask and will take no salary
directly from the theatre. I ask in exchange for a firm directorial
position. I need to have final say on all things pertaining to the
management of the space. It cannot evolve successfully any other
way. I listen, I am fair, I am extremely courageous and hard
working. But I also know from life experience that there can only be
one captain on a ship.
If at the end of a year, I have failed to transform the Globe into
the most successful and popular new music hall in Fairfield County,
I walk away. But failure is not an option. I want to hear nothing
about Plan B for an entire year… no specter of condos looming darkly
over the horizon… We want to allow the dream to take hold and
blossom. The first thing I do is create an old fashioned looking
newspaper, called
The Globe, which we distribute around a 50 miles
radius, describing what our plans and our intentions are. The doors
will be open to anyone wishing to lend time and effort. I will be
there 24/7 tending to the peaceful, harmonious, evolution of the
project. This cannot happen by absentee management. I will in
essence pour my soul into the space.
Why? Simple really… it all starts with a space… the space is
everything… the space is the atmosphere, the dedication, what a
space stands for, the people it attracts, the community it creates…
this can only happen with an extremely, yet very flexible set of
guiding principles. It’s not about money, or power, it’s about
common ground and common cause… a shared love for music and the
arts… for environmental causes… it’s Mickey Rooney, let’s put on a
show… it’s what America is all about.
But I am also a practical man, reasonable, and realistic. We will
need resources, which in great part will require donations, for
dumpsters, sound system, lights, construction, wood work, etc… I
live and function in an alternative universe where barter and trade
make up for my lack of financial fortunes. An immediate source of
revenue will be the store front concession which can generate
profits through the sale of green goods, such as organic rock and
roll t-shirts, green products and services, a lounge people can
read, share ideas, even before the first band ever plays the stage.
The Globe in essence becomes a situation room for the growing green
spirit of the neighborhood.
Strategic alliance with green blogs and MySpace activists… a
multitude of green reporters and journalists are ready to start
spilling ink about the green revival at the Globe… through dozens of
alternative media outlets… this is all ready to happen on a moment’s
notice, the minute we give the go ahead. We come ready, prepared,
with all our dominos stacked in a row… we can host
Greendrinks at The Globe.
(Pending a miracle...)
RemyC.
www.remyc.com
|
