Ely’s Historic State Theater celebrated its 90th anniversary with a well-attended evening gala on Friday, Sept. 4.
Over 200 people turned out for the event, which Casey said was “a great crowd for Ely.”
“Some people dressed in tuxedos. Some people had suits and ties. A lot of the women were dressed up in fancy dresses and some people just came in their street clothes,” Casey said. “It was wonderful.”
Guests enjoyed live music by Irene Hartfield and also The Sectionals, an Iron Range vocal jazz ensemble.
A short documentary on the Historic State Theater’s history, produced by Brett Ross, premiered for the first time at the gala.
Boundary Waters Kitchen provided appetizers while Starbeam Bakery made desserts to accompany the evening’s champagne toast.
Six months of planning contributed to the gala’s success. Casey said the theater’s board members spent many hours pouring creative energy into the organizing efforts.
Gala ticket sales and anniversary pin sales will support the development of the theater’s Third Space, which will host community events and post-showing discussions. Financial contributions will also contribute to the installation of an ADA-accessible bathroom.
Other plans are in the works for the upcoming months.
The theater will host a free movie event every fourth Tuesday of the month from September to May, sponsored by local businesses and featuring a film of the business’s choice.
The theater also plans to increase its special program offerings, from Valentine’s Day concerts to the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1986 Steger International Polar Expedition.
Ely’s Historic State Theater was built in 1936 by the same architects who designed Minneapolis’s Uptown Theater. It closed for eight years before the Ott family purchased the building in 2015 and restored it.
“We are so thankful and grateful to the entire Ely community for their support of the theater,” Casey said. “It’s Ely’s Historic State Theater and it’s for Ely. We want to be the theater for all of Ely.”
“Everyone’s welcome here,” Casey said.
THE RED CARPET was rolled out for the 90th anniversary celebration of Ely’s Historic State Theater.
90TH - Guests enjoyed live music by Irene Hartfield and also The Sectionals, an Iron Range vocal jazz ensemble.
ELY’S HISTORIC STATE THEATER board member Lindsey Lang and EHST executive director Dave Casey walk the red carpet in for the 90th anniversary celebration. Photos by Chris Ellerbroek.
CELEBRATION included live music by Irene Hartfield.
