Fillmore (Jackie Gleason Theater) May Be Demolished!

[Gus]

I uploaded a short video from my Android phone that shows the proximity from the Convention Center to the beach.



It's only a 3 block walk from the Filmore to the Delano.

[Doug]

For a little more background on Jackie Gleason and the Fillmore, here is a story I wrote a few months ago:

Jackie Gleason’s Miami - Miami Beach 411

He was a very interesting guy and, along with the theatre, is a fascinating part of Miami Beach's history.

[rk]

For a little more background on Jackie Gleason and the Fillmore, here is a story I wrote a few months ago:

Jackie Gleason’s Miami - Miami Beach 411

He was a very interesting guy and, along with the theatre, is a fascinating part of Miami Beach's history.

Very nice article, full of interesting details. I remember reading it a few months ago and forgot to say Thanks.

[Doug]

My pleasure! It was interesting to learn so much about Jackie Gleason while researching it. I went in with a bit of a bias -- I'd always been turned off by the running joke about him hitting his TV wife ("To the moon, Alice!") and his good ole boy image, but I realized that after I penetrated those layers, there was a fascinating person underneath, with a lot more depth than I'd imagined.

[rk]

Not to mention that almost all episodes ended with this one line: "Baby, you're the greatest!"

[Mario]

I was at the Fillmore a few days ago to see Caetano Veloso. The place was packed. And it seems to me, there's an event going on every week. I mean there's no other good venue on the beach. Likewise, it's perfect for musicians who aren't planning on filling a stadium (not many, nowadays).

[Maria de los Angeles]

I had read that article when you wrote it Doug, but great to re-read it again.

[Carlos Miller]

Here is a recent Miami Herald article about the dilemma.

There is also going to be a community workshop on the proposal.

What: Community workshop on the Miami Beach Convention Center master plan.
When: 6 p.m. May 13.
Where: Miami Beach Convention Center, Room C220, 1901 Convention Center Dr.

Read more: Gleason Theater plan enrages fans - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

Gleason Theater plan enrages fans - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

[Todd Packer]

Told ya. It hasn't made a profit in decades, and there are now just too many competing venues in south fla.

Live Nation indicated last week that it is willing to talk about a Fillmore demolition. Financial reports show the company lost about $700,000 during the first two years on the venue, and the city expects numbers for 2009 will show another loss.

Read more: Gleason Theater plan enrages fans - Miami Beach - MiamiHerald.com

[Todd Packer]

Live Nation posts `significant loss' on The Fillmore

Live Nation lost $700,000 last year, and according to its budget for 2010 expects to lose another $600,000 next year. If that proves true, Live Nation will have lost $2 million in less than four full years, not including the $3.5 million it spent renovating the facility before its 2007 reopening.

``Despite our initial and ongoing investments, the building has operated at a significant loss,'' the report reads.

Gonzalez said Live Nation has expressed concern that attendance isn't what it expected when it won a bidding war over Cirque du Soleil and AEG in 2006.

Read more: Live Nation posts `significant loss' on The Fillmore - Miami Beach - MiamiHerald.com

[Blackford Oakes]

Since I have no emotional ties to the Fillmore, nor ever attended an event there, my opinion is mute. What is apparent from my standpoint, is that I have to seek info on what's going on there. It should be the other way around. This might have a marketing fix, but you also have to book and attract better acts. Looking at their schedule, 50 Cents would be the only one I'd be interested in seeing this Summer. The venue is also being poorly utilized as a center for folkloric art.

[coach]

Since I have no emotional ties to the Fillmore, nor ever attended an event there, my opinion is mute. What is apparent from my standpoint, is that I have to seek info on what's going on there. It should be the other way around. This might have a marketing fix, but you also have to book and attract better acts. Looking at their schedule, 50 Cents would be the only one I'd be interested in seeing this Summer. The venue is also being poorly utilized as a center for folkloric art.

They have a MASSIVE marketing problem, as do all of the venues in Miami (can't speak for FTL).

[Blackford Oakes]

They have a MASSIVE marketing problem, as do all of the venues in Miami (can't speak for FTL).

I think I can handle the marketing and fill the seats. Messed with this kind of stuff in another life.

Coach - I missed two big concerts in Miami because the message wasn't sent out. McCartney and Bocelli. This problem is not exclusive to the Fillmore. At least when Mccartney performed at AA years ago, his image was spead all over the arena so you know he was comming There are must-see performers I have in mind, but I have to subscribe to their web sites for concert announcements due to horrific promotion of events in Miami.

[Maria de los Angeles]

This brings up a good point - in this day and age how is one supposed to get the message from venues? Aren't most things subscription based?

[fredgarvin]

But this is how a little town like Milwaukee markets its music:

Summerfest - The World's Largest Music Festival

I rode by the fillmore this past weekend, great location, not much happening.

If people are interested in coming up for summerfest, pm me!

[Maria de los Angeles]

All ads always point to a website.

I subscribe to the art centers that I'm interested in and get emails. I also subscribe to the Miami artzine which posts news about shows and happenings. And nowadays with Twitter and Facebook it's very easy to keep up with cultural info.

[Blackford Oakes]

But this is how a little town like Milwaukee markets its music:

Summerfest - The World's Largest Music Festival

I rode by the fillmore this past weekend, great location, not much happening.

If people are interested in coming up for summerfest, pm me!

Sounds like a knee slapping Summer up there in WI.

Events like those usually are easier to promote because they're annual seasonal events. I imagine everyone up there looks forward to it with anticipation. Same can be said of Reggae Sun Splash or even my beloved Hollywood Bowl. Hopefully the Marine Stadium captures that spirit if it ever re-opens. The Fillmore has a tougher task as a yar long venue, but don't help themselves because of lack of prommotion.

Since you went to the U of M, you might recall how they promoted events at the Fox Theatre in DET n comparison to the Fillmore. I think a big factor with the Fillmore's lack of luster is it has no sense of community. The pride of the Fox within the city dwellers was quite apparent my only visit there two Summers ago.

[Blackford Oakes]

All ads always point to a website.

I subscribe to the art centers that I'm interested in and get emails. I also subscribe to the Miami artzine which posts news about shows and happenings. And nowadays with Twitter and Facebook it's very easy to keep up with cultural info.

That's a good point Maria. A case in point is this guy I follow in LA involved in the art scene. He's on some museum board. He feeds me so much info on what's happening, that it ecplipses the rate of infornmation I recieve by the traditional methods of the past. Having said that, I think the Fillmore will benefit graatly from three strategicaly placed interactive billboards and some tricky gimmicks I have in mind.