Column: Macon’s historic Capitol Theatre back to the basics with name change

The news out this week is that the Capitol Theatre is now just that — just The Capitol Theatre and not the Cox Capitol or Hargray Capitol, as it’s been known since its restoration and reopening in 2006.

“We’ve enjoyed an excellent partnership with Hargray over the past five years and Cox Communications before that but we’ve decided to let the Capitol stand on its own again,” said Wes Griffith, CEO of the Moonhanger Group which took over the venue in 2013.

He said growing audiences coming to hear live music at the Capitol made the historic spot ready to move forward without a naming rights sponsor.

“I’d also like to recognize the Urban Development Authority which stepped in at an integral time to stabilize the project and help it transition from a nonprofit project to a privately owned business,” he said.

The original Capitol Theatre opened in 1916 complete with a governmental, capitol-style dome atop it for decoration. Back then, it boasted being the first and only “air-conditioned” theater in Georgia — an ingenious underground, turbine-style fan system that drew cool air inside.

In its past a little less far removed, many remember it as the place their parents dropped them off to see a Saturday morning double feature in the 1950s and ‘60s while their folks did some downtown shopping. Others knew it as the perfect place, with the perfect balcony, for date night.

By 1975, though, the Capitol had lost too many customers to Macon’s new, multi-screen, suburban cineplexes. The years sitting empty took their toll as all of downtown declined. It leaked, was a mess and, where the once elaborate rooftop dome was, there was now a hole said to have been big enough to drop a small Volkswagen through.

However, a group led by Macon businessman Tony Long of A.T. Long & Son Painting Contractors didn’t want the Capitol to be lost. As well as their day-to-day operations, Long and company have been central to the restoration and remodeling of many historic area sites.

“I just saw a really good-looking building Macon did not need to lose,” Long said. “And we needed a really nice music and movie venue. I didn’t want it to just be a warehouse or store. Pains were taken to make it what it once was. Not entirely, of course, but as much as possible.”

Work was done and the Capitol re-opened by 2006 as the Cox Capitol Theatre.

Today, even after the turmoil COVID-19 caused entertainment venues across the country, on concert nights you can see lines stretch down Second Street around the corner to Cherry Street for local, regional and national acts.

You might see Drive by Truckers, great tribute bands doing Allman Brothers or Pink Floyd shows or even national treasures like banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck or singer-songwriter-guitarist Ani DiFranco. Or the North Mississippi Allstars, who were there last night.

In the coming days, you can see Back in Black with Gimmie Hendrix (Saturday), Tab Benoit (April 13), Chase Wright (April 14), The Lone Bellow Trio (April 19), and a now regular and looked-forward-to event, Jimmy Hall’s Birthday Bash (April 22).

With the “new” old name comes a new website where you can get information on schedules and ticketing, it’s now at capitoltheatremacon.com.

All in all, what may seem a superficial change is an indication of the health and well-being of Macon downtown, thanks to many, including the Moonhanger Group.

They’re living up to their mission of celebrating Macon’s heritage, fostering a sense of place and enhancing a vibrant city center while cultivating economic growth and tourism. And, of course, providing great food and music not only through the Capitol but through what they’ve done in keeping historic Grant’s Lounge going, the H&H Restaurant alive and their other endeavors such as the Rookery, Dovetail and Natalia’s restaurants and their hand in partner operations 100.9 The Creek FM and Mercer’s Capricorn Sound Studios and Museum.

Now for the bad news. If you haven’t heard, Joy Harjo, former U.S. Poet Laureate and first Native American to hold the post, canceled her Tuesday, April 11, appearances in Macon at Middle Georgia State University and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.

Disappointing for sure, but there’s still plenty to do as the university wraps up its annual arts festival themed “Reclaiming the Native South.” Already, noted guests such as writer, filmmaker and historian Malinda Maynor Lowery of North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe and author, teacher Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have appeared.

Harjo’s 11 a.m. Tuesday slot will instead be filled by Tracie Revis (Muscogee [Creek] and Euchee), director of advocacy for the Macon Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative, Randy Kemp (Muscogee [Creek], Choctaw, and Euchee), an interdisciplinary artist and storyteller, and MGA Professor Giuliano Graniti. The trio will address “Art and Advocacy in the Native South.” It will be in the rehearsal hall of the university’s Macon campus arts complex.

Check out details of all coming student and guest events at mga.edu.

Tonight is First Friday celebrations downtown so be sure to visit a favorite, or a new-to-you, restaurant or shopping spot and catch what’s new at music venues and local galleries. Search Facebook Events for “April First Friday Downtown Macon” to get details on the many, many opportunities.

Finally, Saturday is the free, family-friendly Magnolia Soap Box Derby race event with all its serious competition, not-so-serious completion, and fun and fanfare. There’ll be DJs, food, beer and sweets vendors and much more to add to the fun – rain or shine. It’s at Washington Park and details are at magnoliaderby.com.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.