Multi-Year Capital Campaign (Phase 2 - New Roof)

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Chalfonte Theatre

Elk Rapids Cinema at the Chalfonte Theatre enriches the community through film by providing a welcoming space for cinematic experiences, showcasing diverse films, and fostering a love for the arts, all while promoting local engagement and cultural enrichment.

The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre presents a night of Michigan-rooted rock and roll on Thursday, October 15, 2026, with rivereye opening and The Insiders headlining. Doors open at 6 p.m., with music starting at 7 p.m. The double bill brings together two projects fronted by Michigan songwriter Max Lockwood. Rivereye, his newer band, released its debut self-titled album in April 2026, blending indie rock with Americana, grunge, and pop. The Insiders, the night&#39;s headliner, deliver a note-for-note Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers experience that has sold out rooms across the Midwest. Several musicians play in both bands, giving the evening a shared, homegrown feel from open to close. &quot;Rivereye and The Insiders are favorites here in the Elk Rapids area, and we get to bring them home to The Platform,&quot; said Aaron Timlin, President of the Chalfonte Foundation. &quot;Tom Petty is one of my favorite artists of all time, so having The Insiders close out the night is something I am personally looking forward to.&quot; About rivereyeSpearheaded by Michigan-based songwriter and poet Max Lockwood, rivereye&#39;s music is a unique and energetic blend of indie rock and roll with tinges of Americana, grunge, and pop. The band&#39;s debut self-titled album, released in April 2026, was recorded mostly live at Cinnamon Ranch, a recording studio tucked deep into the woods of northern Michigan in the Manistee River watershed. Featuring a band of Lockwood&#39;s friends and collaborators, the musicians are all veterans and stars of Michigan&#39;s vibrant music scene: Jeff Moehle on drums (Knee Deep Shag, The Insiders), Eric O&#39;Daly on bass (solo artist, The Appleseed Collective, The Insiders), Phil Barry on lead guitar (Knee Deep Shag, The Insiders), and Joe Hettinga on keys (The Olllam). Max Lockwood is a longtime solo artist with three albums released under his name, several albums as primary songwriter, vocalist, and bassist for the band Big Dudee Roo, and has recorded and performed alongside many Michigan favorites, including May Erlewine, The Insiders, Lindsay Lou, Chris Bathgate, and many more. About The InsidersClose your eyes and you won&#39;t know the difference. Open them and you still might be fooled. The Insiders present the premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers experience. With six veteran musicians and decades of combined stage and touring experience, The Insiders are genuinely running down the dream. It all starts with frontman Max Lockwood. &ldquo;I grew up listening to Tom Petty. My mom would play the Greatest Hits record while she worked out. I&#39;d sit at the top of the stairs and listen to those songs &mdash; it was my most requested CD as a young kid.&rdquo; In high school, Lockwood&#39;s band Big Dudee Roo started covering Petty songs at their frequent shows in West Michigan. &ldquo;Tom Petty was part of the great American landscape to me &mdash; a legend by the time I was musically conscious. We got a great crowd reaction with Petty tunes, and people frequently commented that I sounded a lot like him.&rdquo; Nothing has changed with time. After the passing of Tom Petty in October 2017, Lockwood organized the band by pulling together some of his favorite musicians for a benefit concert. After a sold-out show that raised thousands for a local domestic violence shelter, The Insiders decided they wouldn&#39;t back down. &ldquo;We try to honor what Mr. Petty and the Heartbreakers have done for rock and roll each night. We&#39;re fans of the music first and foremost. These songs are woven into the fabric of the American identity.&rdquo; They&#39;ve found no shortage of demand, selling out shows everywhere they go. Local Spins&#39; John Sinkevics had this to say: &ldquo;The Insiders set the bar at a new level for Tom Petty tributes.&rdquo; The Insiders are based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and currently tour the Midwest and beyond. They are available for public and private functions. Event DetailsWhat: rivereye (opening) and The Insiders (headlining) at The Platform Where: The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre, Elk Rapids, Michigan When: Thursday, October 15, 2026 &mdash; doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 day of show

Rivereye and The Insiders to Play The Platform  at Chalfonte Theatre

Live in Concert: Electronic synth musician John Scott Shepherd brings the cosmos to The Platform at the Elk Rapids Cinema with live visuals by Traverse City&rsquo;s Super Nuclear &mdash; Proceeds Benefit Roof Capital Campaign. ELK RAPIDS, MI &mdash; culturematters.org presents John Scott Shepherd live in concert&nbsp;, a one-night-only convergence of story, sound, and light, taking place Thursday, October 1, 2026 on The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre &mdash; home also to Elk Rapids Cinema and Village Radio. John will be joined by drummer Will Thomas and the performance will feature live visuals by Super Nuclear.&nbsp;The show starts at 7pm and doors will open at 6pm with drinks and concessions available. All proceeds are committed back to the Chalfonte Foundation&#39;s Roof Capital Campaign. Tickets are $20 in advance / $25 at the door. The Roof Capital Campaign is a multi-year effort to repair and restore the roof of the historic Chalfonte Theatre &mdash; ensuring the building that has hosted this community&#39;s stories for generations can keep doing so for generations to come. &quot;There&#39;s something fitting about this lineup landing at the Cinema,&quot; said Aaron Timlin, President &amp; CEO of the Chalfonte Foundation. &quot;Concert presenter, Phil Sgriccia got his start as a teenage projectionist right here at our own Elk Rapids Cinema. John Shepherd spent thirty years turning a barn into a transmitter aimed at the stars. Between them, and with Super Nuclear&#39;s visuals and Will Thomas holding the rhythm, this night is really about what it takes to keep reaching &mdash; toward an audience, toward the unknown, toward each other. That&#39;s exactly what this campaign is about too: keeping the roof over our heads so the reaching can continue.&quot; The Lineup John Shepherd is the founder of Project S.T.R.A.T. (Special Telemetry Research And Tracking), a self-built, decades-spanning effort to broadcast music and signals into deep space in search of extraterrestrial contact. Beginning in 1972 at age 21, Shepherd hand-built radio transmitters and electronic equipment that eventually filled over 100 square meters of his family&#39;s rural Michigan property. His story is the subject of the Netflix documentary short John Was Trying to Contact Aliens, directed by Matthew Killip, which follows Shepherd&#39;s search and its unexpected turn toward a different kind of connection &mdash; one made here on Earth. At Heaven &amp; Earth, Shepherd brings his ambient, electronic compositions to the stage. Super Nuclear (Matthew Stafford) creates bold, colorful, real-time projection and video art rooted in psychedelic liquid light shows and analog video synth traditions. Since debuting at California&#39;s Desert Daze festival in 2018, Stafford &mdash; also a tattoo artist and painter &mdash; has built a distinctive visual language that has accompanied acts ranging from longtime collaborator Billy Strings to intimate northern Michigan venues, which remain among his most rewarding stages. Will Thomas is a Traverse City-based drummer currently performing with Sosohifi, Slow Spell, and Metal Bubble Trio. He&rsquo;s had the pleasure of performing on some of the area&rsquo;s most storied stages including the City Opera House, Milliken Auditorium, and The Garden Theatre. After decades of spending time in Elk Rapids,Thomas is excited to play the Elk Rapids Cinema for the first time. He is also a DJ on 90.7 WNMC. Presented By&nbsp; Phil Sgriccia is a director, producer, and editor whose credits include Amazon Prime&#39;s The Boys and Gen V, Peacock&#39;s Twisted Metal, and fourteen seasons of The CW&#39;s Supernatural. Long before Hollywood, Sgriccia ran the cable television station out of his own Elk Rapids High School and worked as a projectionist right here at Elk Rapids Cinema &mdash; an early apprenticeship in the craft of holding a room&#39;s attention that carried him from Central Michigan University into a decades-long career shaping some of television&#39;s most enduring genre storytelling. &nbsp; <a fr-original-style="" href="http://culturematters.org" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">culturematters.org</a> produces events to help artists stay artists. Plain and simple, through these events the artists get paid. &nbsp; Event Details<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">What: John Scott Shepherd live w/ visuals by Super Nuclear &mdash; a night of story, sound, and live visual art</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">When: Thursday, October 1, 2026. Show: 7pm &nbsp;Doors: 6pm</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Where: The Platform at the Elk Rapids Cinema (Chalfonte Theatre), Elk Rapids, Michigan</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Tickets:&nbsp;$20 in advance / $25 at the door</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Seating:&nbsp;Seated General Admission</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Benefits: The Chalfonte Foundation&#39;s Roof Capital Campaign for the Elk Rapids Cinema</li></ul>About the Roof Capital CampaignThe Chalfonte Foundation&#39;s multi-year <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/multi-year-capital-campaign-phase-2-new-roof" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Roof Capital Campaign</a> is raising funds to repair and restore the roof of the historic Elk Rapids Cinema, preserving the building as a year-round home for film, radio, music, and community gathering in downtown Elk Rapids. About the Chalfonte FoundationThe Chalfonte Foundation is a Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose work spans Arts &amp; Culture, Food &amp; Agriculture, and Health &amp; Healing across southeast, central, and northern Michigan. Its programs include the Elk Rapids Cinema, Village Radio (WEIE 99.7 LPFM), and The Platform live event series.

John Scott Shepherd at the Elk Rapids Cinema (culturematters.org presents...)

Guitarist, Composer &amp; SingerGoh Kurosawa&nbsp;@ Chalfonte Theatre The Platform at Chalfonte Theatre presents guitarist, composer, and singer Goh Kurosawa on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Doors open at 6:00 PM and music begins at 7:00 PM. The concert marks Kurosawa&rsquo;s Northern Michigan debut and continues his ongoing Lovetap Tour, which has taken him from California to Japan, Myanmar, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, and across the United States. Known internationally as the &ldquo;Musical Wakonyosai&rdquo; &mdash; the Bicultural Music Samurai &mdash; Kurosawa has developed a singular approach to the guitar that defies categorization. His &ldquo;Lovetap&rdquo; technique fuses percussive fingerpicking, flamenco, and electric guitar effects into an original live music experience that draws from world music, global jazz, folk, rock, and classical traditions simultaneously. Audiences and critics alike have struggled to contain him in a single genre. &ldquo;California&rsquo;s Goh Kurosawa is a multi-genre wizard who had the crowd mesmerized before his first song had ended.&rdquo;&mdash; Michigan Local Spins Magazine Scott Yanow, writing for the LA Jazz Scene, describes Kurosawa as a guitarist who &ldquo;improvises melodically, is open to the influences of pop, rock, flamenco, classical, Latin and Japanese music, and has his own musical identity.&rdquo; A typical Kurosawa set might move from a Bob Marley song to a Japanese folk melody to Leonard Cohen&rsquo;s &ldquo;Hallelujah,&rdquo; all woven together by his original compositions and his command of both acoustic and electric instruments. Kurosawa has performed at festivals and venues across three continents, including the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival in Mexico, the Biwako Jazz Festival in Japan, the Los Angeles Lotus Festival, and the Taiwan Spring Scream Rock Festival. He has received six nominations from the Just Plain Folks Music Awards, appeared on the cover of Pasadena Weekly, and earned recognition from the city of Los Angeles for his contributions to the arts. His collaborators include Grammy-winning jazz bassist Charlie Haden, Adam Levy of Norah Jones&rsquo; band, and members of the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet. Advance tickets&nbsp;for the concert are $20,&nbsp;with a $5 discount&nbsp;for students and seniors and $10&nbsp;for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased online or at the box office. Tickets will be $5 more at the door&nbsp;on the evening of the performance. &ldquo;His music takes you to that place where most people have not visited since childhood.&rdquo; Goh Kurosawa will be selling CDs and merchandise at the show.&nbsp; The performance is presented as part of The Platform, a live performance series curated by the nonprofit Chalfonte Foundation, which brings nationally and internationally recognized artists to Elk Rapids in an intimate setting.

Goh in Concert (2026)

IGOR &amp; THE RED ELVISES BRING SIBERIAN SURF ROCK TO THE PLATFORM AT CHALFONTE THEATRE Tuesday, July 28, 2026 &nbsp;&bull; &nbsp;Doors 6:00 PM &nbsp;&bull; &nbsp;Two Sets &nbsp;&bull; &nbsp;The Party Starts at 7:00 PMYouth 18 &amp; Under: 50% Off All Ticket Categories The Platform at Chalfonte Theatre presents Igor &amp; The Red Elvises on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The evening features two 60-minute sets with a 10-minute intermission. Doors open at 6:00 PM and music begins at 7:00 PM. The Chalfonte Theatre offers a 50% discount on all ticket categories for youth ages 18 and younger. Igor &amp; The Red Elvises are one of the most singular acts in American roots music &mdash; a band whose story begins in the Soviet Union, runs through a dream about Elvis Presley, and arrives somewhere between Siberian folk, surf rock, rockabilly, funk, and pure party. Since forming in California in 1995, the band has toured the world, appeared in major films and television series, and built a devoted cult following on the strength of their impossible-to-categorize sound and their live shows, which consistently turn any venue into a dance floor. Founder and frontman Igor Yuzov was born in Germany, raised in Ukraine, and educated in Moscow &mdash; a background that shaped both his musical instincts and his determination. Growing up in the Soviet Union, where rock&rsquo;n&rsquo;roll was illegal, Yuzov sought out forbidden music and eventually formed the Russian folk-rock band Limpopo, which he brought to the United States after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The band was personally greeted by Ronald Reagan upon arrival, and in 1993, Limpopo won Ed McMahon&rsquo;s Star Search. Two years later, following a dream in which Elvis Presley appeared and told him to start playing rock&rsquo;n&rsquo;roll, Yuzov transformed his ensemble into The Red Elvises and launched their career with street performances on Santa Monica&rsquo;s 3rd Street Promenade &mdash; performances so popular that the City of Santa Monica eventually ordered them to stop. The band has since released 14 studio albums, two live recordings, a concert DVD, and a greatest hits compilation, all independently produced. Their music has appeared in the cult film Six-String Samurai, the Fox series Melrose Place and Fastlane, Penn &amp; Teller&rsquo;s Sin City Spectacular, VH-1 Behind the Music, the Cartoon Network series Mike, Lu &amp; Og, and the Mail Order Bride soundtrack. In 2005, they performed at Live 8&rsquo;s Moscow benefit concert alongside the Pet Shop Boys. &ldquo;Your first concert will send you flying into the air, because you will want to dance.&rdquo;&mdash; Marla J. Selvidge, author of Igor and the Red Elvises The band&rsquo;s music has been described as rockabilly, surf rock, folk rock, funk, disco, and reggae &mdash; none of which fully captures it. Yuzov calls it &ldquo;Siberian Surf Rock,&rdquo; a label that hints at the humor, the groove, and the cross-cultural collision that defines every Red Elvises show. He draws on Russian poets and prose writers, Central European folk traditions, and sounds collected from decades of world touring, and delivers all of it with costumes as outrageous as the music demands. No matter the venue, the band brings the party with them. The Platform at Chalfonte Theatre is the Chalfonte Foundation&rsquo;s live concert series dedicated to original music, touring artists, and cultural exchange. The Theatre is located in downtown Elk Rapids on the Elk River and serves northern Michigan as a year-round center for the arts.<p dir="ltr" fr-original-style="line-height:1.2;text-align: justify;border-bottom:solid #222222 0.75pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 1pt 0pt;" style="line-height: 1.2; text-align: justify; border-bottom: 0.75pt solid rgb(34, 34, 34); margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0pt 0pt 1pt; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> SHOW DETAILSWho: &nbsp;Igor &amp; The Red ElvisesDate: &nbsp;Tuesday, July 28, 2026Venue: &nbsp;The Platform at Chalfonte Theatre, 205 River Street, Elk Rapids, MI 49629Doors: &nbsp;6:00 PM &nbsp;| &nbsp;Music: 7:00 PM &nbsp;| &nbsp;Two 60-minute sets with 10-minute intermissionTickets: &nbsp;Advance: $20 &nbsp;| &nbsp;Day of Show: $25Youth: &nbsp;50% discount for ages 18 and younger (all ticket categories)Info: &nbsp;www.chalfontetheatre.org &nbsp;| &nbsp;(231) 498-2399<p dir="ltr" fr-original-style="line-height:1.2;text-align: justify;border-bottom:solid #222222 0.75pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 1pt 0pt;" style="line-height: 1.2; text-align: justify; border-bottom: 0.75pt solid rgb(34, 34, 34); margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0pt 0pt 1pt; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> About Igor &amp; The Red ElvisesIgor &amp; The Red Elvises are a Los Angeles-based cult band founded in 1995 by Igor Yuzov, a native of the former Soviet Union whose folk-rock band Limpopo won Ed McMahon&rsquo;s Star Search in 1993. The Red Elvises have released 14 studio albums, performed at Live 8 Moscow, and appeared in numerous film and television productions. Their sound spans rockabilly, surf, folk rock, funk, reggae, and traditional Russian styles. More at www.redelvises.com. About the Chalfonte TheatreThe Chalfonte Theatre in Elk Rapids, Michigan is owned and operated by the Chalfonte Foundation, a Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organized around Arts &amp; Culture, Food &amp; Agriculture, and Health &amp; Healing. The Theatre hosts Elk Rapids Cinema, The Platform concert series, Village Radio (WEIE 99.7 FM), and GROWtv, and serves as a cultural anchor for the communities of northern Michigan.

Igor and The Red Elvises in Concert (2026)

ACCLAIMED BLUES DUO MULEBONE BRINGS ROOTS, SLIDE GUITAR, AND DEEP BLUES TO THE PLATFORM AT CHALFONTE THEATRE Thursday, July 9, 2026 &nbsp;&bull; &nbsp;Doors 6:00 PM &nbsp;&bull; &nbsp;Concert 7:00 PM All Proceeds Benefit the Chalfonte Theatre HVAC Capital Campaign The Platform at Chalfonte Theatre presents Mulebone on Thursday, July 9, 2026, for an evening of traditional blues, country blues, slide guitar, and inventive roots music. The concert features two 45-minute sets with a 15-minute intermission. Doors open at 6:00 PM and music begins at 7:00 PM. Mulebone is the musical partnership of multi-instrumentalist John Ragusa and roots music specialist Hugh Pool, two veteran performers whose shared passion for traditional blues has earned them national and international acclaim. Their recordings have all reached the Americana Music Association Top 100 chart, and their album Keep on Movin&#39; holds the distinction of being the only independent release to remain in the AMA Top 40 for six consecutive weeks &mdash; a milestone achieved in 2015. The duo has received Blues Artist of the Year honors from radio stations across the country.Pool brings powerful vocals, slide guitar, harmonica, and rhythmic boot board percussion to every performance. He has toured throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, and was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame in 2016. As owner of Brooklyn&rsquo;s Excello Recording studio, he has worked with Taj Mahal, Debbie Harry, Marshall Crenshaw, and Molly Ringwald. Ragusa&rsquo;s instrument list reads like an ethnomusicologist&rsquo;s inventory: flutes, fife, cornet, pennywhistle, Jew&rsquo;s harp, conch shell, and other unexpected voices that give Mulebone performances a sonic range few blues acts can match. He has appeared alongside acclaimed singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman and has performed in conjunction with Deepak Chopra&rsquo;s speaking engagements.Together, Mulebone draws on the music of Howlin&rsquo; Wolf, Reverend Gary Davis, Robert Johnson, and the broader Delta tradition while creating something distinctly their own &mdash; moving between haunting blues, foot-stomping boogies, trance-like grooves, and inventive reinterpretations of roots material. &ldquo;Pure, muggy Mississippi afternoon passion, with inventive instrumental know-how and boundless blues expression.&rdquo;&mdash; Elmore Magazine Living Blues praised Mulebone&rsquo;s music as a strong effort in modern blues interpretation that combines acoustic Delta influences with folk, world music, and contemporary roots traditions. Blues Revue called the duo &ldquo;a potent force with a very bright future in contemporary blues.&rdquo; All proceeds from the July 9 concert benefit the Chalfonte Theatre&rsquo;s HVAC Capital Campaign, an initiative to install a new climate system ensuring year-round comfort for audiences and performers. Guests will enjoy cinema concessions along with wine, brandy, and vodka selections from Chateau Chantal. The concert is sponsored in part by Higgins Hearing &amp; Audiology of Traverse City. <p dir="ltr" fr-original-style="line-height:1.2;border-bottom:solid #222222 0.75pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 1pt 0pt;" style="line-height: 1.2; border-bottom: 0.75pt solid rgb(34, 34, 34); margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0pt 0pt 1pt; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> SHOW DETAILSWho: &nbsp;Mulebone &mdash; John Ragusa &amp; Hugh PoolDate: &nbsp;Thursday, July 9, 2026Venue: &nbsp;The Platform at Chalfonte Theatre, 205 River Street, Elk Rapids, MI 49629Doors: &nbsp;6:00 PM &nbsp;| &nbsp;Concert: 7:00 PM &nbsp;| &nbsp;Two sets with intermissionTickets: &nbsp;Advance: $20 &nbsp;| &nbsp;Day of Show: $25Benefit: &nbsp;All proceeds support the Chalfonte Theatre HVAC Capital CampaignSponsors: &nbsp;Higgins Hearing &amp; Audiology (Traverse City); Short&rsquo;s Brewing Company (Elk Rapids)Info: &nbsp;www.chalfontetheatre.org &nbsp;| &nbsp;(231) 498-2399<p dir="ltr" fr-original-style="line-height:1.2;border-bottom:solid #222222 0.75pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 1pt 0pt;" style="line-height: 1.2; border-bottom: 0.75pt solid rgb(34, 34, 34); margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0pt 0pt 1pt; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> About MuleboneMulebone is John Ragusa and Hugh Pool, a New York-based roots and blues duo with five critically acclaimed recordings, multiple AMA Top 100 chart placements, and Blues Artist of the Year recognition from stations across the country. Hugh Pool is a member of the New York Blues Hall of Fame. More at muleboneblues.com. About the Chalfonte TheatreThe Chalfonte Theatre in Elk Rapids, Michigan is a program of the Chalfonte Foundation, a Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organized around Arts &amp; Culture, Food &amp; Agriculture, and Health &amp; Healing. The Theatre hosts Elk Rapids Cinema, The Platform concert series, Village Radio (WEIE 99.7 FM), and GROWtv, and serves as a cultural anchor for the communities of northern Michigan.

Mulebone in Concert

<h3 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;" id="isPasted" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><span fr-original-style="font-size:13pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; box-sizing: inherit;">SWITCHBACK RETURNS!</h3> Switchback will return to The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre during Memorial Day weekend with an evening of original Americana and Celtic music on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the performance featuring two lively 45-minute sets.The concert marks the duo&rsquo;s spring return to Elk Rapids following their popular holiday appearances and continues their long-standing relationship with the community. Led by Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack, Switchback is known for blending traditional Celtic roots with Americana and bluegrass influences, paired with close harmonies, acoustic instrumentation, and storytelling drawn from decades of touring in the United States and Ireland.Switchback&rsquo;s performances in Elk Rapids have consistently drawn strong attendance, and their return to The Platform reflects the growing role of the Chalfonte Theatre as a home for live music and cultural programming. The Platform is curated by the nonprofit Chalfonte Foundation and supports year-round performances by regional, national, and international artists. &nbsp;🎟️ TICKETS<ul data-rte-list="default" fr-original-style='overflow-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Inter Tight"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: -0.704px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;' style='overflow-wrap: break-word; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: "Inter Tight"; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: -0.704px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; box-sizing: inherit;'><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; box-sizing: inherit;">$20 in advance</li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; box-sizing: inherit;">$25 at the door (if available)</li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; box-sizing: inherit;">Children 12 and under: &nbsp;$7</li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; box-sizing: inherit;">Youth ages 13&ndash;17: $12.50</li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; box-sizing: inherit;"> </li><li fr-original-style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word;" style="list-style-type: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; box-sizing: inherit;">First 50 tickets sold receive priority VIP seating<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">h ages 13&ndash;17: $12.50</li> </ul></li></ul>

Switchback Returns

Internationally acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist&nbsp;Richard Gilewitz&nbsp;will appear live on&nbsp;The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre&nbsp;on&nbsp;Thursday, May 14, 2026, as part of his album release tour supporting his tenth studio recording,&nbsp;GILEWITZ. Doors open at&nbsp;6:00 p.m., with the performance beginning at&nbsp;7:00 p.m., featuring&nbsp;two 45-minute sets. Widely regarded for his virtuoso fingerstyle technique and engaging stage presence, Gilewitz has toured internationally for more than three decades, earning praise for performances that move seamlessly between classical, blues, folk, jazz, and rock traditions. His repertoire spans from Bach to Zeppelin, delivered with technical mastery and a storyteller&rsquo;s charm. DigitalDreamDoor has ranked him among the Top 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitar Players of All Time. Gilewitz has performed at major festivals and venues worldwide, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and has opened for artists such as Warren Zevon, America, Leo Kottke, Steve Morse, and The Little River Band, as well as comedians including Richard Lewis and Louie Anderson. Guitar legend Leo Kottke recorded one of Gilewitz&rsquo;s original compositions, retitling it Echoing Gilewitz in his honor. In addition to his performance career, Gilewitz is a respected educator and creator of instructional materials for TrueFire and Mel Bay Publications, and is the founder of Gillacamp Guitar and Ukulele Camp. His recent appearances include repeated invitations to perform at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, where he drew the largest audience in the venue&rsquo;s summer concert series history. Tickets and additional information will be available through the Chalfonte Theatre.

Richard Gilewitz in concert

The Tannahill Weavers

We&rsquo;re excited to host a special morning screening of Merrily We Roll Along, the ambitious filmed musical from director Richard Linklater, featuring the timeless music of Stephen Sondheim. Merrily We Roll Along is an intimate, live-filmed cinematic presentation of the Tony&reg; Award&ndash;winning Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth&rsquo;s musical, directed for the screen by Maria Friedman and starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez. Capturing Friedman&rsquo;s acclaimed staging up close, the film traces the complicated friendship of a composer, a playwright, and a writer in reverse chronological order&mdash;from hard-won success back to youthful idealism&mdash;revealing the emotional precision and quiet power of one of Sondheim&rsquo;s most searching works. Presented by Sony Pictures Classics as a special, limited theatrical engagement, the film runs 145 minutes and is rated OK / PG-13. Showtimes: Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18 at 10:00 AM. Our morning caf&eacute; and bar will be open with coffee and tea, Bloody Marys, mimosas, wine, brandy, and vodka, and popcorn, sodas, and all your favorite cinema fare will also be available.&nbsp;🎟 Presale tickets only. To cover the resources required to screen this film, at least 10 tickets must be sold per day. Advance purchase is essential&mdash;thank you for helping make this special event possible.&nbsp; [If we do not reach our minimum required ticket sales for this event, refunds will be made immediately on the evening of January 16th.] &nbsp;🗓 Saturday &amp; Sunday &mdash; January 17 &amp; 18 ⏰ 10:00 AM Morning ScreeningsTicket Prices<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="line-height: 19.6px;" style="line-height: 19.6px; box-sizing: inherit;">FREE &mdash; Children 12 &amp; under</li><li fr-original-style="line-height: 19.6px;" style="line-height: 19.6px; box-sizing: inherit;">$5 &mdash; Youth (13&ndash;17)</li><li fr-original-style="line-height: 19.6px;" style="line-height: 19.6px; box-sizing: inherit;">$7 &mdash; Adults (18 and older)</li><li fr-original-style="line-height: 19.6px;" style="line-height: 19.6px; box-sizing: inherit;">$1 discount &mdash; Seniors &amp; EBT cardholders</li></ul>☕🍾 Morning Caf&eacute; &amp; Bar Open Enjoy coffee and tea, along with Bloody Marys, wine, brandy, and vodka libations and the regular cinema fare during this relaxed morning screening.

Merrily We Roll Along

Switchback's Celtic Christmas

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Join Elk Rapids Cinema’s vibrant community! Become a member and enjoy exclusive benefits, discounted tickets, and a host of engaging events throughout the year. As a member, you’ll be part of our thriving community, contributing to art and culture in Elk Rapids.

Join Elk Rapids Cinema’s vibrant community! Become a member and enjoy exclusive benefits, discounted tickets, and a host of engaging events throughout the year. As a member, you’ll be part of our thriving community, contributing to art and culture in Elk Rapids.

Elk Rapids Cinema Membership

<h1 data-end="565" data-start="482" fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">✨ Restore the Glow: Help Us Relight the Historic Elk Rapids Cinema Marquee!</h1><h3 data-end="629" data-start="566" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Goal: $27,000 for Marquee &amp; Fa&ccedil;ade Lighting Restoration</h3>For generations, the cinema marquee has been one of the most recognizable and beloved landmarks on River Street &mdash; a glowing Art Deco beacon guiding residents and visitors into the heart of Elk Rapids. Today, we are inviting our community to help us restore its original brilliance for the next 85 years. Thanks to the Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority, we have received a $17,896.20 fa&ccedil;ade improvement grant, and the Jimeyer Trust has generously committed $10,000 in matching support. To complete the full restoration &mdash; including neon restoration, digital marquee upgrades, fa&ccedil;ade lighting, and the internal lighting restoration of the historic glass block tower &mdash; we are launching a community-wide effort to raise the remaining $27,000.<hr data-start="1430" data-end="1433" fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 data-end="1471" data-start="1435" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">🌟 Your support will help us:</h2><ul data-end="2027" data-start="1472" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1586" data-start="1472" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Restore the marquee&rsquo;s original 1940 neon glow using historically accurate Bromo Blue and warm golden bulbs</li><li data-end="1685" data-start="1587" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Restore the lighting inside the iconic glass block tower, returning its nighttime radiance</li><li data-end="1791" data-start="1686" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Repair and update the marquee&rsquo;s underside lighting for pedestrian safety and nighttime visibility</li><li data-end="1902" data-start="1792" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Install a programmable digital display that can recreate the classic white-and-black 1940s letterboard</li><li data-end="2027" data-start="1903" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Enhance fa&ccedil;ade lighting to highlight the building&rsquo;s Art Deco geometry and create a warm, welcoming presence downtown</li></ul>These improvements ensure the marquee continues its long tradition of being a cultural anchor and nighttime beacon for Elk Rapids &mdash; more visible, more energy-efficient, and more historically faithful than ever.<hr data-start="2245" data-end="2248" fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 data-end="2289" data-start="2250" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">💛 Become a Fundraising Champion</h2>This campaign is powered by the community.You can make an even bigger impact by creating your own peer-to-peer fundraising page and inviting friends and family to support the restoration:👉 Create your personal fundraising page 👉 Share your story and connection to the Elk Rapids Cinema 👉 Help us reach supporters near and farEvery share helps. Every dollar helps. And every fundraiser becomes part of Elk Rapids history.<hr data-start="2731" data-end="2734" fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h2 data-end="2774" data-start="2736" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">🎬 Let&rsquo;s Keep the Beacon Bright</h2>Your gift &mdash; whether $10 or $1,000 &mdash; ensures that the Elk Rapids Cinema marquee remains a shining symbol of community, creativity, and small-town charm.<h3 data-end="2974" data-start="2928" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Donate or Become a Fundraiser Today!</h3>Help us restore the glow, honor our history, and keep the lights bright on River Street.

✨ Restore the Glow: Help Us Relight the Historic Elk Rapids Cinema Marquee!Goal: $27,000 for Marquee & Façade Lighting RestorationFor generations, the cinema marquee has been one of the most recognizable and beloved landmarks on River Street — a glowing Art Deco beacon guiding residents and visitors into the heart of Elk Rapids. Today, we are inviting our community to help us restore its original brilliance for the next 85 years.Thanks to the Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority, we have received a $17,896.20 façade improvement grant, and the Jimeyer Trust has generously committed $10,000 in matching support. To complete the full restoration — including neon restoration, digital marquee upgrades, façade lighting, and the internal lighting restoration of the historic glass block tower — we are launching a community-wide effort to raise the remaining $27,000.🌟 Your support will help us:Restore the marquee’s original 1940 neon glow using historically accurate Bromo Blue and warm golden bulbsRestore the lighting inside the iconic glass block tower, returning its nighttime radianceRepair and update the marquee’s underside lighting for pedestrian safety and nighttime visibilityInstall a programmable digital display that can recreate the classic white-and-black 1940s letterboardEnhance façade lighting to highlight the building’s Art Deco geometry and create a warm, welcoming presence downtownThese improvements ensure the marquee continues its long tradition of being a cultural anchor and nighttime beacon for Elk Rapids — more visible, more energy-efficient, and more historically faithful than ever.💛 Become a Fundraising ChampionThis campaign is powered by the community.You can make an even bigger impact by creating your own peer-to-peer fundraising page and inviting friends and family to support the restoration:👉 Create your personal fundraising page👉 Share your story and connection to the Elk Rapids Cinema👉 Help us reach supporters near and farEvery share helps. Every dollar helps. And every fundraiser becomes part of Elk Rapids history.🎬 Let’s Keep the Beacon BrightYour gift — whether $10 or $1,000 — ensures that the Elk Rapids Cinema marquee remains a shining symbol of community, creativity, and small-town charm.Donate or Become a Fundraiser Today!Help us restore the glow, honor our history, and keep the lights bright on River Street.

Elk Rapids Cinema Marquee Funding Campaign

The Chalfonte Theatre Capital Campaign Preserving a Landmark. Strengthening a Community. Building the Future. For generations, the Elk Rapids Cinema &mdash; now the Chalfonte Theatre &mdash; has been more than a movie house. It is a gathering place. A storyteller. A beacon of light on winter nights. A shared living room for our community. Today, we are launching a multi-year capital campaign to preserve this historic building while upgrading the infrastructure necessary to support cinema, live performance, Village Radio, and new broadcast media arts programming. This work is not cosmetic.It is essential stewardship.Our goal is to ensure this historic cultural space continues serving Elk Rapids &mdash; and audiences around the world &mdash; for generations to come. Phase One: Immediate PriorityHeating &amp; Cooling System ReplacementUpdated Campaign Goal: $150,000 After years of careful maintenance and recent system failures, the time has come to replace the theatre&rsquo;s aging heating and cooling system. As we moved from initial estimates into detailed engineering and contractor evaluation, it became clear that a true long-term solution requires a more comprehensive system than originally anticipated. Rather than a short-term fix, we are committed to installing a high-efficiency, properly designed system that will serve the theatre for decades &mdash; improving comfort, reducing energy consumption, and protecting the building and equipment year-round. A Thoughtful, Phased Approach We are currently exploring a two-phase implementation strategy:<ul data-end="2357" data-start="2072" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2236" data-section-id="1lm46o0" data-start="2072" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Phase 1 (Spring/Summer): Establish core cooling and ventilation systems to ensure the building is operational and comfortable during peak programming months</li><li data-end="2357" data-section-id="yxb82j" data-start="2237" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Phase 2 (Fall): Complete the heating components necessary to carry the theatre through northern Michigan winters</li></ul>This phased approach allows us to:<ul data-end="2501" data-start="2394" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2422" data-section-id="q52e1y" data-start="2394" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">move forward immediately</li><li data-end="2451" data-section-id="mmmiq1" data-start="2423" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">manage costs responsibly</li><li data-end="2501" data-section-id="11yxiky" data-start="2452" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">continue programming without major disruption</li></ul>Why This MattersThis upgrade will:<ul data-end="2894" data-start="2549" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2605" data-section-id="oo4dp4" data-start="2549" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">ensure a safe and comfortable environment year-round</li><li data-end="2675" data-section-id="1n5e23d" data-start="2606" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">protect the building, projection equipment, and broadcast systems</li><li data-end="2749" data-section-id="1dmb35k" data-start="2676" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">significantly improve energy efficiency and long-term operating costs</li><li data-end="2803" data-section-id="1ivoxn4" data-start="2750" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">reduce the risk of emergency repairs and downtime</li><li data-end="2894" data-section-id="1t382oj" data-start="2804" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">support expanded use of the theatre for performances, broadcasts, and community events</li></ul>Our Most Urgent Need While many exciting improvements lie ahead &mdash; from stage lighting and sound to accessibility upgrades and historic restoration &mdash; none of it is possible without a reliable heating and cooling system.This is the foundation upon which everything else depends. How You Can Help Your support of Phase One directly contributes to:<ul data-end="3442" data-start="3267" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="3310" data-section-id="1szs723" data-start="3267" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">preserving a historic cultural landmark</li><li data-end="3356" data-section-id="v6p05t" data-start="3311" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">strengthening year-round community access</li><li data-end="3442" data-section-id="f9x9w9" data-start="3357" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">building the infrastructure for expanded arts, media, and educational programming</li></ul>Every contribution &mdash; large or small &mdash; moves this work forward. Looking Ahead The HVAC system is the first step in a broader vision that includes:<ul data-end="3799" data-start="3601" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="3649" data-section-id="6idfqx" data-start="3601" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">marquee restoration (supported by DDA grant)</li><li data-end="3673" data-section-id="lei37p" data-start="3650" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">electrical upgrades</li><li data-end="3709" data-section-id="155ok1a" data-start="3674" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">accessible first-floor restroom</li><li data-end="3751" data-section-id="o90ra9" data-start="3710" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">stage lighting and sound improvements</li><li data-end="3799" data-section-id="1xzp5v1" data-start="3752" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">mural restoration and historic preservation</li></ul>Together, these efforts will ensure the Chalfonte Theatre continues to evolve while honoring its past.

The Chalfonte Theatre Capital CampaignPreserving a Landmark. Strengthening a Community. Building the Future.For generations, the Elk Rapids Cinema — now the Chalfonte Theatre — has been more than a movie house. It is a gathering place. A storyteller. A beacon of light on winter nights. A shared living room for our community.Today, we are launching a multi-year capital campaign to preserve this historic building while upgrading the infrastructure necessary to support cinema, live performance, Village Radio, and new broadcast media arts programming.This work is not cosmetic.It is essential stewardship.Our goal is to ensure this historic cultural space continues serving Elk Rapids — and audiences around the world — for generations to come.Phase One: Immediate PriorityHeating & Cooling System ReplacementUpdated Campaign Goal: $150,000After years of careful maintenance and recent system failures, the time has come to replace the theatre’s aging heating and cooling system.As we moved from initial estimates into detailed engineering and contractor evaluation, it became clear that a true long-term solution requires a more comprehensive system than originally anticipated.Rather than a short-term fix, we are committed to installing a high-efficiency, properly designed system that will serve the theatre for decades — improving comfort, reducing energy consumption, and protecting the building and equipment year-round.A Thoughtful, Phased ApproachWe are currently exploring a two-phase implementation strategy:Phase 1 (Spring/Summer): Establish core cooling and ventilation systems to ensure the building is operational and comfortable during peak programming monthsPhase 2 (Fall): Complete the heating components necessary to carry the theatre through northern Michigan wintersThis phased approach allows us to:move forward immediatelymanage costs responsiblycontinue programming without major disruptionWhy This MattersThis upgrade will:ensure a safe and comfortable environment year-roundprotect the building, projection equipment, and broadcast systemssignificantly improve energy efficiency and long-term operating costsreduce the risk of emergency repairs and downtimesupport expanded use of the theatre for performances, broadcasts, and community eventsOur Most Urgent NeedWhile many exciting improvements lie ahead — from stage lighting and sound to accessibility upgrades and historic restoration — none of it is possible without a reliable heating and cooling system.This is the foundation upon which everything else depends.How You Can HelpYour support of Phase One directly contributes to:preserving a historic cultural landmarkstrengthening year-round community accessbuilding the infrastructure for expanded arts, media, and educational programmingEvery contribution — large or small — moves this work forward.Looking AheadThe HVAC system is the first step in a broader vision that includes:marquee restoration (supported by DDA grant)electrical upgradesaccessible first-floor restroomstage lighting and sound improvementsmural restoration and historic preservationTogether, these efforts will ensure the Chalfonte Theatre continues to evolve while honoring its past.

Multi-Year Capital Campaign (Phase 1 - New Heating & Cooling System)

Help Us Replace the Roof That Protects Our Community Since opening its doors in 1940, the Elk Rapids Cinema has continuously served Northern Michigan for more than 85 years. Through world wars, economic downturns, technological revolutions, and changing generations, the theater has never stopped bringing people together to experience the magic of film and community. A comprehensive professional roof inspection conducted in 2026 found that the primary roof is in poor condition (D-), while a secondary roof section has failed (F). Inspectors documented deteriorated roofing membrane, open flashing seams, water infiltration risks, improperly flashed drains, wet insulation, and numerous emergency repair needs. Their recommendation is clear: the existing roof should be completely removed and replaced in 2026.&nbsp; Following the inspection, a detailed replacement proposal was prepared for a complete tear-off and installation of a new fully adhered commercial roofing system with upgraded insulation, new flashing around all roof penetrations, and a 15-year material warranty. The estimated project cost is $108,684, including demolition, disposal, and installation.&nbsp; This project is about far more than replacing a roof.It is about protecting Northern Michigan&#39;s community cinema, preserving a historic landmark, safeguarding our digital projection and sound systems, maintaining Village Radio&#39;s broadcast facilities, and ensuring that concerts, films, educational programs, and community events can continue for decades to come. Every gift&mdash;large or small&mdash;helps protect this treasured gathering place from water damage and ensures that the Elk Rapids Cinema remains a vibrant center for arts, culture, education, and community. Together, we can raise the roof&mdash;so the stories, music, and memories beneath it continue for generations.

Help Us Replace the Roof That Protects Our CommunitySince opening its doors in 1940, the Elk Rapids Cinema has continuously served Northern Michigan for more than 85 years. Through world wars, economic downturns, technological revolutions, and changing generations, the theater has never stopped bringing people together to experience the magic of film and community.A comprehensive professional roof inspection conducted in 2026 found that the primary roof is in poor condition (D-), while a secondary roof section has failed (F). Inspectors documented deteriorated roofing membrane, open flashing seams, water infiltration risks, improperly flashed drains, wet insulation, and numerous emergency repair needs. Their recommendation is clear: the existing roof should be completely removed and replaced in 2026. Following the inspection, a detailed replacement proposal was prepared for a complete tear-off and installation of a new fully adhered commercial roofing system with upgraded insulation, new flashing around all roof penetrations, and a 15-year material warranty. The estimated project cost is $108,684, including demolition, disposal, and installation. This project is about far more than replacing a roof.It is about protecting Northern Michigan's community cinema, preserving a historic landmark, safeguarding our digital projection and sound systems, maintaining Village Radio's broadcast facilities, and ensuring that concerts, films, educational programs, and community events can continue for decades to come.Every gift—large or small—helps protect this treasured gathering place from water damage and ensures that the Elk Rapids Cinema remains a vibrant center for arts, culture, education, and community.Together, we can raise the roof—so the stories, music, and memories beneath it continue for generations.

Empower Future Pianists: Support the Joe Yuchasz Piano Scholarship FundMake a lasting impact on the musical journey of young talents in Elk Rapids by contributing to the Joe Yuchasz Piano Scholarship Fund. This fund, established by the Chalfonte Foundation, honors the legacy of Joseph William Yuchasz, a beloved figure renowned for his dedication to the arts and education.Your generous donation directly supports aspiring pianists aged 5-15, providing them with the opportunity to learn, master the piano, and perform in a public recital at the iconic Elk Rapids Cinema. Help us continue Joe Yuchasz's tradition of fostering artistic talent and promoting the joy of music.Why Donate?Cultivate Talent: Your donation supports personalized piano lessons, empowering young musicians to unlock their full potential.Preserve Legacy: Honor Joe Yuchasz's enduring impact on Elk Rapids by contributing to a scholarship that continues his commitment to education.Enrich the Community: Be a part of creating memorable musical experiences at Elk Rapids Cinema, bringing joy to families and communities.Join us in fostering a love for music and providing a platform for young pianists to showcase their talents. Your support fuels dreams and builds a legacy of artistic excellence.Make a Difference Today!

The Joe Yuchasz Piano Scholarship Fund

Become a Charter Business Circle Member for:$100/month &bull; 12-month commitmentIncludes recognition across:<ul data-end="878" data-start="760" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="795" data-start="760" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Cinema screen before every film</li><li data-end="834" data-start="796" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Daily Village Radio acknowledgment</li><li data-end="878" data-start="835" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Concerts, events, and digital platforms</li></ul>⚡ Limited Charter Incentives⭐ First 10 Members<ul data-end="1114" data-start="941" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="983" data-start="941" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Featured spotlight in our e-newsletter</li><li data-end="1023" data-start="984" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Exclusive cinema screen recognition</li><li data-end="1063" data-start="1024" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Weekly Village Radio acknowledgment</li><li data-end="1114" data-start="1064" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">VIP Season Concert Package ($300 value)</li></ul>🎶 First 11-20 Members<ul data-end="1195" data-start="1145" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">VIP Season Concert Package</li></ul>🎬 What Your Membership SupportsYour contribution directly supports:<ul data-end="1447" data-start="1280" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1319" data-start="1280" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Independent and Michigan filmmakers</li><li data-end="1360" data-start="1320" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Youth media training and internships</li><li data-end="1403" data-start="1361" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Live music and performance programming</li><li data-end="1447" data-start="1404" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Community radio and global broadcasting</li></ul>🎯 Why Join Now<ul data-end="1613" data-start="1478" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1518" data-start="1478" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Limited Charter incentives available</li><li data-end="1562" data-start="1519" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Priority placement across all platforms</li><li data-end="1613" data-start="1563" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Recognition at the June 1 Village Radio launch</li></ul>

Become a Charter Business Circle Member for:$100/month • 12-month commitmentIncludes recognition across:Cinema screen before every filmDaily Village Radio acknowledgmentConcerts, events, and digital platforms⚡ Limited Charter Incentives⭐ First 10 MembersFeatured spotlight in our e-newsletterExclusive cinema screen recognitionWeekly Village Radio acknowledgmentVIP Season Concert Package ($300 value)🎶 First 11-20 MembersVIP Season Concert Package🎬 What Your Membership SupportsYour contribution directly supports:Independent and Michigan filmmakersYouth media training and internshipsLive music and performance programmingCommunity radio and global broadcasting🎯 Why Join NowLimited Charter incentives availablePriority placement across all platformsRecognition at the June 1 Village Radio launch

Charter Business Circle Membership

Cassie and Maggie, the award-winning Nova Scotian sister duo, bring their contemporary Celtic folk sound to The Platform at the Chalfonte Theatre on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. show featuring a 90-minute performance.&nbsp; Known for their fiddle, piano, guitar, step dancing, and stunning sibling harmonies in English and Gaelic, Cassie and Maggie blend tradition with modern innovation. Winners of a Canadian Folk Music Award and JUNO nominees, the duo has toured internationally and earned widespread acclaim for their musicianship and stage presence.&nbsp; General admission is $20 and $25 the day of the show with half-price tickets for ages 18 and under. All ages welcome.

Cassie and Maggie in Concert

Traverse City author, singer-songwriter, and storyteller Robert Downes returns to the Chalfonte Theatre with his multimedia show Stories &amp; Songs on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Elk Rapids Cinema. The performance is a fundraiser for the Chalfonte Theatre Capital Campaign, supporting preservation of the historic home of The Platform, Village Radio, and Elk Rapids Cinema. Downes first brought Stories &amp; Songs to Chalfonte Theatre on June 4, 2026, where the show drew an enthusiastic audience and left a strong impression on the community. He returns to Elk Rapids this fall by popular demand. &quot;That June show was one of those rare nights that managed to be both educational and enchanting all at once,&quot; said Aaron Timlin, President of the Chalfonte Foundation, which owns and operates the Chalfonte Theatre. &quot;We knew immediately we wanted to bring Robert back for our audiences this fall.&quot; Blending live music, storytelling, photography, and projected visuals, Stories &amp; Songs combines theatrical presentation with original acoustic ballads and narratives drawn from Downes&#39;s books and travels around the world. Downes will again be joined by percussionist Mark Cantrell for the performance. &quot;I think of the show as a theatrical cabaret experience paired with compelling stories and visuals,&quot; Downes has said of the production. &quot;My songs are all ballads, meaning they tell stories as well &mdash; stories that resonate deeply with audiences.&quot; Downes&#39;s presentation features stories and songs inspired by subjects ranging from Native American history and folklore to world travel, literature, wilderness, and the human experience. A world traveler, transcontinental cyclist, journalist, and musician, Downes is the author of nine books with strong regional and historical themes, including his acclaimed historical fiction trilogy The Wolf and The Willow, The Sun Dog, and Windigo Moon. &quot;Elk Rapids gave me one of the warmest receptions I&#39;ve had with this show,&quot; said Downes. &quot;I&#39;m glad to be coming back to a community that has embraced Stories &amp; Songs the way this one has &mdash; and to keep supporting the Chalfonte Theatre and Elk Rapids Cinema, which are such an important cultural treasure.&quot; A suggested donation of $10 is encouraged, with proceeds benefiting the Chalfonte Theatre Capital Campaign. Children 12 and under are admitted free. The performance is presented as part of The Platform, a live performance series curated by the nonprofit Chalfonte Foundation, which brings nationally and internationally recognized artists to Elk Rapids in an intimate setting. Event DetailsWhat: Robert Downes, with percussionist Mark Cantrell &mdash; Stories &amp; Songs multimedia show Where: Elk Rapids Cinema, home of Chalfonte Theatre&#39;s The Platform When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m. Admission: $10 suggested donation; children 12 and under free

Chalfonte Theatre

Chalfonte Theatre

Chalfonte Theatre

Upcoming events

Events

Get your tickets

Cassie and Maggie in Concert

Get your tickets

Robert Downes Returns to Chalfonte Theatre for Fall "Stories & Songs" Performance

More ways to support us

Become a member

Elk Rapids Cinema Membership

Donate now

Elk Rapids Cinema Marquee Funding Campaign

Donate now

Multi-Year Capital Campaign (Phase 1 - New Heating & Cooling System)

Donate now

Multi-Year Capital Campaign (Phase 2 - New Roof)

Donate now

The Joe Yuchasz Piano Scholarship Fund

Become a member

Charter Business Circle Membership

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Chalfonte Theatre

Upcoming events

Events

Get your tickets

Cassie and Maggie in Concert

Get your tickets

Robert Downes Returns to Chalfonte Theatre for Fall "Stories & Songs" Performance

More ways to support us

Become a member

Elk Rapids Cinema Membership

Donate now

Elk Rapids Cinema Marquee Funding Campaign

Donate now

Multi-Year Capital Campaign (Phase 1 - New Heating & Cooling System)

Donate now

Multi-Year Capital Campaign (Phase 2 - New Roof)

Donate now

The Joe Yuchasz Piano Scholarship Fund

Become a member

Charter Business Circle Membership

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Chalfonte Theatre