Fundraiser will help Historic Everett Theatre

Some people are really passionate about preserving history. Take Davin Michael Stedman for instance.

His recent mission has been to raise awareness of the Historic Everett Theatre, which turned 111 years old this year.

Stedman calls the theater a pearl. He’s helping to raise money for the theater as well with an eclectic, all-ages film festival planned for Thursday at the theater.

“And we are quite literally trying to save the theater,” Stedman said.

He said the theater is $3,000 in arrears on its city improvement tax. If the theater doesn’t come up with that money, there is a possibility the building could go up for auction, Stedman said.

“But if we bring in a nice crowd we can raise that in one night with this event,” Stedman said.

The Soul United Film Fest will present film shorts and music videos by a diverse group of artists such as local and regional favorites The Moondoggies, The True Spokes, Domenic Barbero, Omega Moo, Brian Southerland and Medium Troy, according to a press release.

In addition to films and videos, guests will be treated to the talents of organist Sharon Stearnes, who will accompany films by Buster Keaton and The Staxx Brothers on the theater’s vintage pipe organ, which was originally used to accompany silent films.

The Staxx Brothers, the festival founders, will perform after the event to try and boost concessions and give theatergoers the rare opportunity to dance at a film fest.

The Staxx Brothers will be screening “Sugarwalls,” a music video shot entirely on Super 8 film on location at The Historic Everett Theatre last January. The video is set in 1929, according to a press release.

Stedman believes that preserving local landmarks and culture falls on each individual. He said that by supporting this event, “we all can be in our own unique and humble way, patrons of the arts.”

“We believe that the Everett Theater Society is doing an incredible job making the Historic Everett Theater accessible to local theater productions, musicians, filmmakers, and fans of great film,” Stedman said. “The Historic continually offers quality entertainment and opportunity to citizens of Everett. Experiencing this kindness first hand, we are thrilled to present our Soul United Film Fest as a benefit for the Historic Everett Theater.”

The Soul United Film Fest was founded last spring as a quarterly event designed to fill a gap in the music scene and the local film industry.

Film festival

Soul United Film Fest; 7 p.m. Thursday at Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Featuring live performances by The Staxx Brothers and organist Sharon Stearnes. Music videos and short films by The Moondoggies, Buster Keaton, Domenic Barbero, The True Spokes, Medium Troy and Hard Money Saints. Featuring trailers for “The Historic,” “Grassroots” and “Rat Rod Rockers” with a special appearance by After Midnight Cabaret.

Tickets are $6 or $5 with a canned food donation. The event is all ages, though some content is considered PG-13. Parental discretion is advised.

For more information go to www.soulunitedfilmfest.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Washington law will allow traffic cams on more city, county roads

The move, led by a Snohomish County Democrat, comes as roadway deaths in the state have hit historic highs.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lakewood School District’s new levy pitch: This time, it won’t raise taxes

After two levies failed, the district went back to the drawing board, with one levy that would increase taxes and another that would not.

Alex Hanson looks over sections of the Herald and sets the ink on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Black Press, publisher of Everett’s Daily Herald, is sold

The new owners include two Canadian private investment firms and a media company based in the southern United States.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.