Protest march to “Save Our Stage” before Antioch Council meeting Tuesday
From El Campanil Theatre to City Hall
Theatre board still raising funds despite Sept. 29th close of escrow
By Allen D. Payton
As previously reported, in a comment on the Antioch Herald Facebook page Tuesday night, following the community meeting at the El Campanil Theatre, Rivertown business owner Mike Gabrielson announced a “friendly protest” and “March to City Hall” before the Council meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 8, 2026, over the sale of the theater building to a church. (See related articles here, here, and here)
That same night, Antioch resident Mary Lutz also issued an invite to the protest march on her Facebook page. She wrote, “Rant that it’s coming to this. Rave that we have a great Antioch that wants to keep the arts alive.
“There will be a friendly protest Save Our Stage Tuesday Sept 8th 6pm in front of El Campanil Theatre and then a March to City Hall to Ask the City to step in and Save our El Campanil Theatre. Show Up if you would like to support the El Campanil Theatre Tuesday 8th 6pm!”
The march will be about two blocks long as the theater is located at 602 W. 2nd Street and City Hall is located at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
The Council meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. with a light agenda of only four items of significance to discuss. But there is nothing on the agenda to discuss the sale of the El Campanil Theatre to the dismay of some residents. (See related article)
Theater Still Operating, Raising Funds
The theater is now displaying new colorful posters out front that read, “Save the Arts in Antioch! and “Keep Arts Alive! in Antioch”. The theater is also promoting an Oct. 17th concert on their Facebook page which is more than two weeks after the Sept. 29th close of escrow.
Even though Board President Sharon Sobel Idul stated and reiterated, “if the sale closes, the Foundation would cease operating El Campanil Theatre,” a message on the marquee reads, “Break a Leg Not Hearts Keep the Arts Alive Donate Now!” Plus, the website is still accepting donations with the message, “Save Our Stage” at the top of the Home page and the Donate page offers options of “One-Time, monthly on the 2nd, every 3 months on the 1st, and yearly on October 1st.”
the attachments to this post:
Home & Donation pages of ECT website 090526
El Campanil Theatre marquee & left poster 090526
Protest march Mary Lutz FB 090126 & right poster 090526
