What's Happening at the Alger
Commissioned murals by Detroit artist Desiree Kelly features film legends such as Alfred Hitchcock, Spike Lee, and David Lynch. Image courtesy of Desiree Kelly
Now that we’ve gotten used to the constant construction dust and noise, narrowing kamikaze lanes, and water leaks freely running down E. Warren and other streets, we’re beginning to see emerge the hint of a newness, a previtality…something’s coming to our corridor. There is something about blocks and blocks of new cement that announces the neighborhood is reawakening. Midtown went through it, Livernois went through it, others have gone through it, now it's our turn.
With progress sometimes come minor setbacks, though; for example, the Alger Theater normally posts messages on our E. Warren marquee. Now that the sidewalk is missing, it is not possible to use this side. We are hoping that this will be rectified any day now.
Jackie Grant, President of Friends of the Alger Theater, recently announced at the organization’s Annual Meeting, that the ADA lift to our rooftop patio had been installed, and that we are awaiting final inspection. She also revealed that a fourth mural had been commissioned by the artist Desiree Kelly, and the subject is the highly talented Ava DuVernay. The artist, who is known for her Eastern Market mural of Aretha Franklin, is excited to add an accomplished female director to the set of existing murals on our rooftop balcony depicting Alfred Hitchcock, Spike Lee, and David Lynch.
And as a consequence of the streets being torn up we were able to capitalize on this opportunity and after 30 years we have finally restored water back into the theater.
The Alger Theater is currently executing the Neighbor to Neighbor program and operating out of the Jefferson Branch Library. Created by the Rocket Community Fund we work to educate residents about programs that they may be eligible for and assist in the application processes and referrals for programs such as:
Make It Home
Detroit Home Repair Fund
HOPE Counseling
Connect 313
Detroit Eviction Defense Fund
These programs are designed to reinforce neighborhood stability. They allow residents to reduce or eliminate their property taxes, help homeowners receive help with needed home repairs, provide discounted internet service and access to affordable devices, provide renters with legal representation during eviction proceedings, and provide assistance with utilities.
Friends of the Alger Theater is happy to announce that we will be participating in the Motor City Grounds Crew’s children’s fall event on Saturday, October 22nd. We are happy to work alongside Brilliant Detroit and the Detroit Public Library.
So as the construction begins to turn and make its way back down Warren, the Alger continues to look for funding to repair the roof and to complete the other repairs necessary to get the theater open. In order to leverage whatever donations we receive, we are in strong need of volunteer community stakeholders.
We need our neighbors to volunteer to sit on committees that will not only help to spearhead our opening, but also help create the content of the programming that will take place in this space for the betterment of our children, our seniors, and all our neighbors.