" For the Use of
the People and the Glory of the City"
Sacklunch Serenades at City Auditorium, from noon to 1:00 PM, free, see below for more information.
Schedule of Organists:
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS KEEP THEATRE ORGANS ALIVE IN COLORADO SPRINGS!
Sacklunch Serenades, which are free to everyone, feature Tom O'Boyle, Bob Lillie and guest organists, playing the 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed in the City Auditorium, in 1976, rescued from the Chief (Burns) Theatre before it was demolished.
Silent films, accompanied on the organ, are performed at all programs as part of the experience of seeing silent films and hearing the sound effects and music with the organ, as originally seen and heard in the theaters.
Music played on the organ is a big part of the programs.
If you think this is a boring experience, it has nothing to do with liturgical and funeral music. The organ was built in North Tonawanda, New York, and shipped to Colorado Springs, November 1927, for installation in the Burns Theatre. The name was changed to the Chief, to better reflect the movie image, rather than the legitimate stage shows the theatre was built for.
The organ has real percussion instruments: bass drum, kettle drum, crash cymbal, high hat cymbal, snare drum, castanets, tambourine, fire gong, wood block, tom-tom, xylophone, tuned sleigh bells, chrysoglott, glockenspiel, chimes, telephone bell, wind and steam escaping, bird chirping, and other effects, made by the organist. Choo Choo chugging, etc.
This is history at it's most fun and shows the beginning of the film industry.
We have "The Great Train Robbery," made by Edison Studios in 1903 and considered to be the first film with a story line. Laurel and Hardy, Larry Semon, Ben Turpin, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and many other silent film stars like Lillian Gish, Tom Mix, Our Gang, Jackie Coogan and many more. Some of the films were thought lost and gone forever. One comedy, thought lost for years, turned up in Holland and we were able to purchase a copy.
People of all ages enjoy the programs, from small children to great grand parents.
2010 will be the Sixteenth year of Sacklunch Serenades. They run every Thursday, beginning on the first Thursday in May and continue through the Summer and again, in December. Details will be on the calendar above.
You may bring your lunch, or get a lunch from the Cafe. Tables are provided, for your comfort at most programs.
page updated June22,2010