History
of The Friends of the Municipal
The
Friends of the Municipal Auditorium was incorporated in 2000 and
has received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS.
A working
board of directors was formed that consists of community leaders
who share the vision to help resurrect the Municipal to the glory
of its storied history.
They endeavor to showcase one of the most historic and beautiful
buildings in Shreveport, Louisiana, and saw the need to achieve
that goal in a systematic result oriented method. In addition
to the intricate art-deco design and timeless engineering, the
Municipal Memorial Auditorium, completed in 1929 was dedicated
to the Soldiers of the Great War and they are determined to promote
that legacy.
The
Municipal has played host to many interesting and diverse events
during the past 75 years. It is a city building and has housed
many organizations, some of which are: The Caddo Parish Health
Services, Early Aircraft Warning System (this predates RADAR),
Caddo Council on Aging, The Pelican Chapter of The Girl Scouts
of America, Daughters of the Confederacy, Shreveport Parks and
Recreation, The City Shop and at one time, the City Morgue. Once
a week for most of its 75 years, Mid-South wrestling called the
Municipal home. It was also used as a temporary barracks during
WWII, but its most prolific regular tenant was a nationally broadcast
radio program called, The Louisiana Hayride.
Many, many stars began or furthered their careers from the Municipal’s
stage, including Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and
George Jones just to name a few.
The hall continues
to be scheduled regularly for musical performances, comedians
and varied community use. For nearly 50 years in early April,
a festival to celebrate the Louisiana Purchase, called Holiday
In Dixie has utilized the Municipal for the major part of their
events. The building is still regularly used for Mardi Gras Balls,
boxing matches and graduation ceremonies. The Municipal was engineered
with superior acoustics. Virtually every play, symphony, orchestra,
recital, and dance was held there until genre specific venues
were constructed in the late 50's and early 60's. It has a large
stage; generous dressing areas and seating for approx. 3,200 filling
a need for a medium sized venue.
Although the
Municipal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1991, the building continued to be the victim of long-term
neglect until efforts to revitalize her began in 1994. Air-conditioning
has been installed in most of the building and with the addition
of ramps and an elevator, compliance with the American with Disabilities
Act has been complete. Major renovations of the Restrooms were
finished in April of 2004, but there is still a lot of work to
be done to restore the Municipal to the level she deserves. It
is the passionate commitment of the Friends of the Municipal to
execute those improvements and be able to showcase her as the
landmark she truly is.
The events
at the Municipal has touched many lives though the years and it
is a tribute to the citizens, fans and generations to come that
we proactively promote and preserve her legacy. In January of
2001, the street address of the Municipal officially became 705
Elvis Presley Avenue, and shortly after that, the first dressing
room used by Elvis was adorned with photographs and contracts
and christened, “The Elvis Presley Dressing Room!"
Vision
Statement
Our
working board has set up some short and long-term initiatives.
Our vision to be the economic catalyst to create jobs, increase
tourism, promote our unique heritage and culture and provide people
the opportunity to learn about her history, is well on way to
becoming reality!
Museum
We wanted to establish a museum that showcases the varied events
and personalities that have been programmed there. To do this
we secured a cooperative endeavor with the City of Shreveport
to utilize space for purposes that are outlined here. The museum
and exhibit areas will continue to grow because we feel that this
building and the events here have touched many peoples lives,
we will be inundated with memorabilia and artifacts to show that.
The contined growth of the museum requires further expansion into
other areas of the hall. One of our most prized items is an outfit
actually worn by Hank Williams, Sr!
Tours
We have been blessed to coordinate with the Caddo Council on Aging
who has provided us with the man-power to give tours of the Municipal
on a regular basis. The tour guides are exited and have been given
tours themselves by the legendary Frank Page and B. B. Davis,
among others. We know the demand it there, because oftentimes
we see tourists and sightseers pass in front of the Municipal.
These guided tours include facts about the area immediately surrounding
the Auditorium, point out the unique architecture and engineering
details that make her so unique. Music is incorporated throughout
the tour that will conclude in the Museum and gift shop. A great
deal of research has been done and is on-going documenting events
and establishing a time-line of the Municipal's history.
Gift
Shop
After investigating other museums of similar appeal, we realized
a retail gift shop would be a revenue source we wanted to take
advantage of. To capitalize on this, we are setting up a gift
shop that will include several Elvis sanctioned souvenirs and
music of local artists. It will include a number of other items
and especially music of some of the performers who have graced
her stage.
Web
Site
To optimize the marketing of our project, we are implementing
a web site, StageofStars.com. We feel this will spark interest
as well as be a strong revenue generator for our unique gifts.
The web site will incorporate all of the aspects of our directives
stated here, including membership development into the Friends,
historic information and links to appropriate web sites.
Fund
Raising
In addition to our gifts being a revenue source, we are going
to take advantage of two major anniversaries that occur this year.
Both are going to bring a great amount of attention to our initiatives:
The
50th anniversary of Elvis' professional debut on the stage of
the Municipal. Elvis made a guest appearance on
The Louisiana Hayride October 16th, 1954. He was signed to a two-year
contract two weeks later on November 6, 1954. Once every 50 years,
an event happens that changes the world. We are proud to be celebrating
one this October 16th! We are promoting this event internationally
with the U.S Chamber of Commerce. The actual celebration will
be preceded by a month-long series of events building up to a
Concert featuring Elvis’ living band members, including
Shreveport’s own, James Burton!
The
75th anniversary of the dedication of the Municipal Memorial Auditorium.
We are working on a birthday party befitting the legend of the
Municipal. On November 11th, The Municipal will be celebrating
the 75th anniversary of its dedication. We plan on putting together
a celebration that will have broad appeal and take visitors back
in time. There will be many activities for those not interested
in dancing and will have a silent auction to help us raise money
to further our mission. This will be a night to remember!
Membership
Development
The Friends have implemented a membership program where people
can join at different monetary levels. This is being established
simultaneously as our brochures and rack cards are being up-dated
to market and document the constantly developing enhancements
we are making at the Municipal. The brochures will be distributed
throughout the state at State Visitor Centers and multiple attractions.
Membership advantages are being developed.
Clean
up
The Friends of the Municipal, in collaboration with Shrevecorps,
Shreveport Green, Barksdale Air Force Base, Friends of Oakland
Cemetery, Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal and all of the
business' and churches in the area are slated to give the area
a make-over May 22nd in preparation for our Museum's grand opening.
Already the city has repainted curbs and permission has been solicited
from private property owners to help them remove unsightly trash
and mow overgrown brush.
Music
Trail
In collaboration with the Tex Ritter/Texas Country Music Hall
of Fame, Memphis Who in Memphis and these other towns, Jackson,
Tupelo and Nashville, The Friends of the Municipal is championing
the effort to establish a music trail that will attract visitors
to our area who may not have known about our music history.
Programming
and Marketing
The Friends see the advantage of taking over marketing and programming
of the Municipal. The venue is just one of many that the city
has to offer potential users. It is in just north of Downtown
Shreveport, easily accessed by I-20 and I-49. We recently enlisted
the services of a 40-year local television personality, Mr. Bob
Griffen to meet with groups such as the Rotary Clubs and other
civic organizations to bring attention to one of the great things
happening in our community. We are working with local hotels to
create packages that will appeal to the leisure and group traveler.
Director
A permanent director will oversee our initiatives as well as the
long-term goals of our vision. Briefly some of these include:
