The Bristol Pastime Theater Foundation is dedicated to supporting the performing arts in the East Bay, through collaboration, presentation, and advocacy. It does so because the arts add to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the area. To fulfill its mission, the Pastime convened and sponsors a collaborative called the Bristol Arts Roundtable. In addition, the Pastime presents performances that might not otherwise be available to Bristol audiences.

Description:
The Pastime name once adorned an Art Deco movie theater in Bristol. That theater is now gone, taken to make way for a school expansion project. But the idea of cultural and social connection lives on in the Bristol Pastime Theater Foundation.

The Pastime is a virtual theater, helping to connect local groups, residents and visitors. The Pastime wishes to support, and not duplicate, the good work of others who are already bringing the performing arts to local audiences. We therefore created the Bristol Arts Roundtable in 2007. The Roundtable aims to better coordinate scheduling, programming, branding and promotion so members – ranging from the Bristol Theatre Company to Mount Hope Farm -- thrive. Its electronic calendar of performing-arts events in Bristol can be seen at www.thepastime.org. The listings also feed into the Town of Bristol's electronic calendar of events.

The Pastime aims to round out the cultural offerings in Bristol. In April 2007, the Pastime brought Latin Jazz and dancing to Bristol, presenting a well-attended concert at the VFW Hall by the Oscar Stagnaro Sextet, with bonus dance lessons. The group is expanding its programming, looking at several programming possibilities, including film, music, dance and comedy. We invite audience members to co-create with us as we explore cultural terrain and serve as advocates for the performing arts and an arts center in Bristol.

History:
The Bristol Pastime Theater Foundation was formed in April 2003, in direct response to the imminent closure and sale of a 600-seat theater that had opened its doors on Bradford Street in 1934 and thrived for decades. In November 2003, with funding from the Town of Bristol, the Foundation was able to purchase the historic building. The theater was structurally sound and essentially intact, but needed repairs. The Boston-based architectural firm of Wilson, Butler Architects, Inc. was engaged to combine modern amenities with the remaining original fixtures.

In 2006, the Bristol Town Council called in the mortgage, to make way for an addition to the Andrews School and the theater was torn down.

At that point, the Pastime Board decided to wind up operations and voted to give its remaining funds to local cultural groups, including Bristol County Interfaith Choir, for its "Many Moods of Christmas" concert; Bristol's "Last Night" event, a Rhode Island Philharmonic concert in Bristol's Independence Park with fireworks; Bristol's Recreation Department, for a dance class; and Roger Williams University's Center for Global Studies, for an international music concert.

The funds went out, but the lights didn't. In Fall 2006, some merchants and civic leaders noticed an uptick in business and buzz during the 2nd Story Theater's temporary residency at the Statehouse in Bristol. Local restaurateur Paul Mancieri and Town Council member David Barboza persuaded the Pastime Board to persist in promoting the arts in Bristol. Paul and David joined the board and recruited new members.

In April 2007, the revitalized Pastime Foundation adopted a new mission:

To support the performing arts in Bristol,
through collaboration, programming and advocacy,
increasing the cultural and economic vibrancy of the East Bay.

Contact people:

Beverly Larson, President, (917) 887-1556, (email) Paul Mancieri, Vice President, (401) 253-9300, (email) David Barboza, Treasurer, (401) 253-6695, (email)

Address:

P.O. Box 804 Bristol, RI 02809

Directions:

Regarding accessibility, we have no agency facility. We look for performance and meeting sites that are handicap accessible. Because we use various venues in Bristol, we cannot furnish directions.

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Solutions for Children, Youth, Families
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	No
What type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)(3)