Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Jim Enrietti, organizer of the Calumet Theatre Chandelier Society, stands in the second balcony of the Calumet Theatre, pointing to the spot from which a giant, copper-framed chandelier hung until its solder joints were melted during a fire in 1918. The chandelier is reported to have contained 150 electric lights.
CALUMET — The Calumet Theatre’s Chandelier Society is hosting a dinner-dance, on July 6, to raise funds to replace a chandelier in the theater that was destroyed by a fire in 1918. Concrete Table Lamp Base
Calumet native Jim Enrietti, who was nominated for a Grammy for his accordion playing, and an inductee of Michigan State Polka Music Hall, founded the society last year.
In celebrating 75 years of performing music on stage, Enrietti and his World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band performed a free concert at the Calumet Theatre on July 8, 2023. His wife, Terri, is the band’s bass player.
While Enrietti announced the concert as his way of giving back to the community he loves so much, he admitted to having an ulterior motive. It was also the launching of a project to raise funds to replace the chandelier that hung from the ceiling of the theater.
Currently, there is no known photograph of the original chandelier that hung in the theater, although there are vague descriptions.
Calumet Theatre Company Board President Dan Jamison said the Theatre Company would like to offer a free lifetime membership to the first person who provides a photograph or illustration of the original chandelier.
Jamison said he read a quote described the chandelier as looking like a dandelion that was just about ready to go to seed.
“Big, round, airy, light,” said Jamison, “there was something like 150 light bulbs in it.”
The chandelier’s frame was made of copper, which was soldered together.
The final selection of a chandelier is largely contingent on the amount of money raised through fundraisers and donations. But since the chandelier replacement project’s inception, there have been many people involved with the project who have dedicated several hours to searching for chandeliers that would be appropriate to the theater’s decor.
“As far as pictures go,” said Enrietti, “we have been looking at pictures online — chandeliers, chandeliers, chandeliers.”
Enrietti said there due primarily to cost, there is little chance the final selection will be vintage.
“To find a vintage chandelier from the period (1900), we’re looking at mega bucks; maybe $80,000 to $100,000. Then, you gotta get it shipped, then installed. And some of the old ones are really heavy.”
The doors for the event open at 4:30 p.m. As the attendees arrive, they will be directed into the auditorium.
“There will be a slideshow on the stage,” Enrietti said, “of different chandeliers that have been suggested.”
Last year, donors gifted a bit more than $10,000 to launch the Chandelier project.
“Right now, we have 81 dinner tickets sold,” said Enrietti. “There are only 69 available tickets left.”
The evening will feature dinner catered by the Bonfire, and as per countless requests, a dance in the ballroom will follow.
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