MONROE — It was a Thursday night in downtown Monroe and Scott Boberg, the newly appointed executive director for River Raisin Centre for the Arts, was excited.
“I’ve never wielded giant scissors before,” said Boberg, holding up the large blades as he prepared to cut a red ribbon in front of 11 Washington St., home of the new dance studios and corporate offices of River Raisin Centre for the Arts.
An assortment of public figures had gathered in front of the building to celebrate, including Monroe Mayor Robert Clark, Michigan State Senator Joe Bellino, Miss Monroe County Elora Russell, and Miss Monroe County Teen Rachel Ingels.
It was a big night for River Raisin Centre for the Arts, which was founded in 1987 as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization with the purpose of creating an arts center through the restoration of the 1938 art deco Monroe Movie Theater in historic downtown Monroe.
Boberg, who previously worked at Toledo Museum of Art and Ann Arbor Film Festival, expressed his joy at being able to work in the city where he lived.
“I’ve been a 10 year resident of Monroe but I always worked somewhere else and it’s such a pleasure to give back to my own community and to do it with an organization that has such as amazing past,” said Boberg. “Fifty years ago in February, everyone thought the Monroe Theater would close for good after it showed the Burt Reynolds movie The Longest Yard . And here we are in 2024 celebrating the anniversary of the River Raisin Ballet performance of The Nutcracker . This is a community that steps up when the need is there and it’s a community that cares about each other and our visitors and I’m so excited for this ribbon cutting.”
Senator Bellino said the new dance studios and corporate offices for the River Raisin Centre for the Arts was a big deal for the community.
“Every single person here today believes in Monroe County,” said Senator Bellino. “Every single person here will tell you how amazing the people are and how incredible the opportunities can be. So as a cheerleader for our county I’m excited to have the (River Raisin Centre for the Arts) here. It adds to everything that allows us to tell the world how special we are.”
The 12,000-square-foot building is 165 years old and most recently held the offices of a banking firm. On the first floor of the building will be dance studios, a reception area, a waiting room, a dancewear store, and rooms for music lessons.
On the second floor will be larger studios for tap and ballet and there is also a third floor that will eventually be renovated for even more rehearsal space.
Diana Lingle, director of corporate engagement for Monroe County Business Alliance, was on hand as well.
“We’re just excited today to support River Raisin Centre for the Arts and see them start their new beginning in this lovely building,” said Lingle. “They’re a partner of ours and we’re just happy to be here today.”
Also Thursday was the annual open house for the River Raisin Ballet Company a block and a half away at the converted movie theater that serves as the formal River Raisin Centre for the Arts. The company will celebrate its 20th production of The Nutcracker this December. Dancers and aspiring dancers milled about the interior of the building, inspecting and admiring the facilities and members of the company performed in a dance demonstration.
“We do an open house every year for registration for our dance classes for the year,” said Boberg. “Today is unique because we’re also [opening] our new building. It’s really exciting.”
Boberg said he was looking forward to the upcoming season at the River Raisin.
“We have an exciting season coming up. We have a Gordon Lightfoot tribute coming up, we have appearances from country singer John Berry, and the Jacob Jolliff Band,” said Boberg. “It’s going to be a great season for us.”
For more information, visit riverraisincentre.org .
Local News
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