Approximately three years age, the City of Myrtle Beach appointed a Cultural Arts Advisory Committee to begin serious consideration of renovating the old Rivoli Theater. The City advanced initial seed funds and the committee raised significant funds from the Carousel Horses on Parade program. Through a visioneering process the public had enthusiastically supported the venture and the Committee recommended that the City charter an independent corporation to proceed with the planning and implementation.

 In 1958, the theater showed the film "This Happy Feeling" starring Debbie Reynolds.

 In 2004, Debbie appeared in Myrtle Beach and gladly autographed a copy of a poster of that movie  with  her best wishes for our success. She has volunteered to return for our Grand Opening               

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 The Carousel Horses on Parade arts initiative was the first fundraising event conducted by the group. Fifty full sized unpainted fiberglass horses were purchased and fifty local artists were compensated to decorate them with their own original art. The horses were offered to local businesses for sponsorship for a significant contribution. After participating in the Sun Fun festival in June, they were placed for the summer in locations specified by the sponsor. In the fall they were sold at a public auction party.                                                                                                                                                                         The Carousel

Horses project was followed in 2004 with the very successful Masterpiece Party.

Prominent and well known local and state personalities were asked to originate a pastel painting of their own design. They each obtained patrons who pledged a fixed fee for their sponsorship. In October, the artwork was auctioned at a public party.

                                        Major Events in our 9-year effort

          1999         City purchases Rivoli cinema  (built 1951)   City commissions Environmental Site Assessment

         Jan 2000         Cultural Arts Advisory Committee formed by City

         May 2000       City Planning Dept holds public "Art Start" to research public support and to elicit suggestions.

         June 2000        Visioning process identifies public desires and performance needs.

        Oct   2000          Committee recommendations adopted as part of Myrtle Beach Comprehensive Plan

        May  2004          City advances $150K "seed money" to begin fundraising.

        June 2004           Carousel Horses on Parade fundraiser (raised $350K)

        August 2004        City approves independent "Corporation for the Arts"

        Oct 2005             Second fundraiser, "Masterpiece Fundraiser" (raised $35K)

        March 2006         Name changed to Rivoli Theatre Group

        April 2006            Request for design proposal sent to all area architects. Usry Wolfe selected as only credible response.

        Sept 2006            Contracted for Feasibility Study

        April 2008            City Council budget includes $6M for construction of theater as Convention Center addition.

        June 2009            Board selects Executive Director from large number of US applicants

        August 2009        Executive Director, Dale Vivirito, begins

        Sept 2009           Rivoli Theatre business plan presented

        Oct 2009            Architectural plans completed and presented to the Board for review