Much has been written about the renovation of the Rio Grande Theatre. Originally built in 1926 as a movie house, it was closed for business in 1997, only to be revived to its former glory at the beginning of the 21st century, when it was donated to the Doña Ana Arts Council by the descendents of the original owners. The Rio Grande Theatre has a rich history, in an area awash in historical and cultural significance.
As she was in the beginning.
For me, however, the Rio Grande Theatre is so much more than a history lesson, or a ghost of the past. She’s a symbol of the future--a grand dame whose living presence gives hope to a new generation of artists, in a time when the future of the Arts has been in question. A vital promise made to the city of Las Cruces, that beauty can mean something to a community and reinvigorate a declining economy. And finally, a reminder that everything changes. For me, this last lesson is the most personal.
As she stands today.
In the early 80s, while a student at NMSU, I attended the Rio Grande Theatre as a movie-goer. I have fond memories of those times and like the river after which it was named, the Organ Mountains and the Mesilla Plaza, it was one of the very landmarks that drew me back, some 25 years after my departure. To be part of its on-going history now, as a volunteer for the Doña Ana Arts Council, fills me with a profound sense of place and an equally satisfying feeling of pride.
She’s more than a theater to me. She’s a monument, mirroring my own personal growth.
Returned to her former glory
Articles & Resources:
A comprehensive look at the theatre, through local eyes:
http://lascrucesblog.com/las-cruces/2007/rio-grande-theatre/
A story in Desert Exposure about the Grand Reopening in 2005:
http://www.desertexposure.com/200509/200509_riogrande.html
Official site:
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