Did you know that The Capitol has been a fixture in downtown Bowling Green for over a hundred years? While its origin as an 1890s vaudeville house was lauded in times past, the theater actually began its life in the early 1900s. The Columbia Theatre, a movie house managed by the Crescent Amusement Co. of Nashville, began operating on the square at East Main Street in 1911 before eventually being renovated and reintroduced as The Capitol in 1920. Since then, the building has lived a rich and varied life, hosting movies and live productions. How amazing that all these years and transitions later, it continues to be a centerpiece of the community! Now managed by the Warren County Public Library, the theater continues the tradition of showing movies (now free), hosting theater and musical productions, and also serves as a venue for free library events. Following are a few upcoming highlights:
The stage will be set for two amazing authors in the weeks to come! First, WCPL will bring New York Times bestselling author Lauren Tarshis to The Capitol for a free presentation Monday, October 27, at 6pm. Those who read books in her I SURVIVED series experience what it’s like for young people to live through the unimaginable while remaining strong and resilient. Because of their historic content, teachers love them, and because they’re so well written, kids devour them. Tarshis blends amazing storytelling and exhaustive research to highlight topics such as the September 11 attacks, the destruction of Pompeii, Hurricane Katrina, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, among others. In addition to writing, Tarshis also edits Storyworks and Storyworks Jr. magazines for kids. Find out more about this popular, prolific author on her website, www.laurentarshis.com
At Tarshis’ 10/27 presentation, there will be 500 copies of her new book, I Survived the Dust Bowl, given away. If you’d like to attend, free tickets are available online through the WCPL’s calendar of events (warrenpl.org/calendar) or The Capitol’s website (capitolbg.org).
Next, Kentucky author Silas House will visit The Capitol early next month when the library hosts his presentation Tuesday, November 4, at 6pm. The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author has written the novels Clay’s Quilt, A Parchment of Leaves, The Coal Tattoo, Eli the Good, Southernmost, and Lark Ascending, as well as a book of creative nonfiction Something’s Rising, co-authored with Jason Howard, and four plays. Fans will be excited to know that this year he published his first book of poetry, All These Ghosts, as well as his first murder-mystery (under the pseudonym S.D. House), Dead Man Blues. House has been a long-time library favorite since his debut novel, and we are thrilled to host him once again. You can learn more about him online at www.silas-house.com.
At House’s 11/4 event, 125 copies of his new poetry collection, All These Ghosts, and 125 copies of Dead Man Blues will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Free tickets to the presentation are also available online through WCPL’s calendar of events or The Capitol’s website.
On another note, in addition to all the free movies being shown this month, on Halloween night we’re opening our doors so folks can do the TIME WARP AGAIN with WKU’s Alpha Psi Omega student group! Fans of the long-running 1975 cult-classic film starring Tim Curry will have the opportunity to see the movie and experience live shadow cast performance by APO members at one of two showings Friday, October 31(one at 9pm, another at midnight). Members of the campus’ theatre honor society will lip sync, sing, and dance in tandem with this quirky musical about an alien mad scientist who offers shelter to a newly engaged couple who experience a collection of outrageous partygoers when their car breaks down. Audience participation will be encouraged, as well! The film, rated R, is considered to be the longest-running release in film history, as it is played frequently in theaters across the nation, especially on or around Halloween. This event is for an adult audience and not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.
To keep up with all that’s happening at The Capitol, follow us on social media (@capitolbg on Facebook, Instagram, and X), check out our website (capitolbg.org) or sign up for our online newsletter (tinyurl.com/CapitolBGNews). Feel free to stop by when the box office is open 10am to 4pm Monday through Friday, and while you’re here, you can pick up a library book in our collection or shop for bargains at The Capitol Bookstore, run by volunteers from the Friends of the Library – Warren County. Hope to see you soon!
-by Ashley Fowlkes,
Digital Content Manager, Warren County Public Library
