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Seminole TheatreThe Roaring 20's..Going forward into the OOO's*..K.Teresa Harris..page1 A $4.2 million restoration project is currently underway in south Florida for an historical art deco theater called Seminole Theater. Located in downtown Homestead, Florida, just south of Miami, the Seminole Theater was the social center of Homestead for over five decades. However, in October 1992 the theater was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, as was much of the surrounding area of Dade County. Although the theater remained structurally sound, the hurricane blew off the roof and damaged most of the interior. In early 1993, the owners donated the badly damaged theater to the city. Recognizing that this theater now stood as the only remaining example of commercial art deco in all of Dade County, The Homestead Historic Preservation Board designated the Seminole Theater a local historic site in August 1995. This designation, along with the efforts of Homestead Main Street to revitalize the Downtown Historic District, prompted renewed interest in the fate of Seminole Theater and lead to the establishment of The Seminole Theater Group in April 1997. The organization's mission, with the support of those who value heritage and culture, is to restore and reopen the 475 seat theater as a multi-faceted performance space to serve the diverse interests of residents and visitors in the Upper Keys and South Dade County. To date, funds to finance the $4.2 million restoration project have come in part from grants on both the local and state levels, as well as some corporate, individual and celebrity donations. The Rolling Stones recently donated $25,000 to the theater. Seminole Theater Group Executive Director, Dori Goldman, says other well-known celebrities are considering major gifts to the theater. Possibilities include Gloria Estefan, Kenny Rogers, Mel Brooks, Ann Bancroft, and Reba Mcentire. [page2] Please consider buying through playwrites |