At its fall fundraising event on October 19, The Cabot in Beverly raised $1 million towards The Cabot 100 capital campaign. The campaign aims to raise $6.8 million to complete renovations culminating in The Cabot’s 100th birthday celebration in 2020.
The event, “A Story Like No Other, The Cabot Turns 99,” featured a performance from magician Michael Carbonaro of “The Carbonaro Effect.” The evening paid tribute to Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company, which performed at The Cabot for over thirty-five years, becoming the world’s longest running stage magic show that included White House appearances and features in TIME, Smithsonian, and National Geographic World. The event also paid tribute to Steve Dodge, businessman, trustee, and “Cabot champion,” who passed away earlier this year.
“Only about 1 percent of similar movie palaces still exist out of theatres built in the 1920s,” said J. Casey Soward, executive director of The Cabot. “As we inch even closer to our 100th anniversary, we are even more conscious of this significance.” Soward said that this year’s event commemorates the people who have been integral to The Cabot’s reaching this “incredible milestone.”
For nearly a century, The Cabot in Beverly has served as a local treasure and gathering place for generations of North Shore residents. Built in 1920, the opulent, neoclassical-style theater was originally called The Ware and used for vaudeville shows and silent movies. The movie chain E.M. Loews later owned it. In 1976, The Cabot was purchased by Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company, and for the next thirty-six years was home to this world-famous magic show.
The Cabot is now being transformed into a twenty-first century venue, with nationally recognized live performers, current and classic movies, and community events. The Cabot will celebrate its 100th anniversary all year long in 2020, with renovations slated for completion by December 8, 2020, The Cabot’s 100th birthday.
“We are tremendously grateful to all who attended on Saturday night and helped us reach this incredible milestone,” said Soward. “It was a spectacular night for The Cabot. These funds will be going towards the renovation of our historic lobby, which will be restored to its original grandeur while also paying tribute to Steve Dodge [and named in his honor], who was one of our greatest champions and who helped pave the way for The Cabot’s future success.”
For more information, visit thecabot.org.