Looking for Members

The march to revive the Ioka is picking up momentum!

As we hear from community members hoping to see the Ioka return to its heart-of-Exeter standing, their passion for this wonderful old building is among the clearest themes to have surfaced. People tell tales of what the theater meant to them in the past and what they hope it will mean for the town’s future.

The Ioka is alive. It may be a long way from smelling like popcorn, its seats filled with guests lost in the magic of theater and music and film, but it is well on its way. The regal Water Street building, its lit marquee casting a glow on the town’s people and spirit, continues to fill us with hope about the Ioka’s future.  

But more than anything, we need to continue our drive to get the Ioka the support it needs by growing its membership. Theater owner Alan Lewis has challenged the non-profit Exeter Theater Company to recruit 1,000 members by the end of March. If the goal is met, it will show Mr. Lewis that the people, businesses and friends of the Ioka are committed to building a future for the Ioka and by showing this support, Mr. Lewis will lease the theater under extremely favorable terms, possibly even a $1/yr lease for 99 years, to the Exeter Theater Company. The Exeter Theater Company will be responsible for operating the theater as a non-profit, community-run and community-supported organization and will work to raise the funds necessary to restore, reopen and successfully operate the Ioka.  

We are very grateful for all the local businesses that are helping out with the membership drive and demonstrating great confidence in the Ioka’s future.  The entire staff at Water Street Bookstore became members and many local businesses are advertising the restoration project and membership drive through their Facebook and Twitter pages as well as through in-store advertising.  Many are also offering generous deals as further incentive for people to join:

The Brentwood Country Animal Hospital website is giving $10 discounts for the first 100 clients that join as members.

• Downtown restaurant Pimentos is offering $10 gift cards for all patrons who join.
• Billingsgate Deli is giving away a $25 gift certificate to the 100th person to sign up.  
• La Cave à Vin is offering a $$ gift to those who sign up as members before March 31,2012.  
• Las Olas Taqueria in Exeter is offering one free burrito to those who join at the taqueria.
• Graham Tire & Auto, Inc. will provide a free Lube, Oil & Filter for any one who donates $50 to the Exeter Theater Company and signs up as a member in the month of February at the business.  

You can never have too many friends and Exeter businesses and community members are stepping up.   

This week, the Exeter Theater Company will be holding be Visioning Sessions, meetings that will offer area residents the opportunity to contribute to the discussion of what the Ioka will become.  With our hope that the theater will become a destination location for our neighbors, we are eager to hear what sort of programming they are hoping for.  And, as always, we will be hoping to move closer to that 1000-person membership goal.  Sessions are scheduled for this Tuesday, February 21st.  Locations are as follows: 

• Kensington Elementary School at 6:30pm. 
• Newfields Elementary School at 6:30pm  

Come join us and let us hear your ideas!   This is indeed a great undertaking but our hope and belief that we can bring the Ioka back to prominence is even greater.  It will need passionate friends and a shared vision.  Please join us!