On Monday, July 28th, Celebrate St. James will take its first exciting step toward transforming a dream into reality; the creation of a vibrant community Cultural Arts Center, theatre, and plaza. This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter in our mission to preserve and celebrate the rich history and creative spirit of St. James.

Thanks to a generous $211,300 matching grant from the Gardiner Foundation, combined with the unwavering support of two of our devoted private donors, the beloved Calderone Theatre, standing for over a century at the heart of our community, will soon receive a much-needed new roof. This critical upgrade will protect the original tin ceiling, a treasured piece of the building’s historic character, and allow us to reinforce and stabilize the aging stage for future performances and events.

This project is more than just a renovation, it’s a revival. It represents hope, resilience, and the power of community to honor its past while building for the future. We are deeply grateful to the Gardiner Foundation and to our donors for making this possible, and we look forward to the day, coming as soon as early September, when this phase is complete and our historic theatre can once again welcome the sounds of laughter, music, learning, and connection.

I will be sending the full press release and attached photos to our media contacts today. 

Please let me know if there’s anything else you may need from me other than construction updates once work begins.