In October, the Capitol Theatre hosted the first of at least two gameday watch parties this fall. (We had to get this article to print before the event took place, so as of this writing we don’t know who won the game – but we do know it was fun!) The house may have been divided between fans in green and white and those in maize and blue, but both sides of the friendly rivalry came together for a good cause.  

Admission to these special gameday experiences is donation-based, and all proceeds go to KidsTix, a program that breaks down barriers for families to attend live performances at FIM venues. Last season, 247 families engaged with FIM through KidsTix, and this year the program is on track to engage twice as many.  

Donations at Capitol Theatre events like Gamedays and Flint Under the Stars, as well as generous gifts from other donors, help sustain vital funding for this program that helps cultivate a love for the arts in kids that might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live performances.   

Not only can attendees at Capitol Gamedays feel good about supporting the future of performing arts, but they can kick back, relax and enjoy the big game on the big screen with friends (and friendly foes!) without the hassle of prepping and hosting a watch party of their own. FIM handles the snacks while you cheer your favorite team to victory.  

“Watching the game at home just doesn’t compare to putting on your favorite gameday gear and heading out to join your fellow fans to cheer on your team together,” says Community Programs Manager Amanda Sauvie, who oversees Gamedays at the Capitol. She reflects that watching the game on the big screen with new friends and community members is an energetic and joyful experience. “It’s the next best thing to seeing it live.” 

Sauvie also notes the benefit of presenting sporting events in a traditional arts space. “Free events like this provide an opportunity for community members who may not have previously come to a concert or an event at the Capitol Theatre to see what makes it so special,” she says. “We typically offer music, comedy, and movies in the venue, but now we are reaching out beyond traditional theatre-goers to welcome them through our doors.”  

The next Gameday is scheduled for Nov. 30 at noon, when the Victors will take on their biggest rival in red!