Corinne Lea may have her share of trouble right now, but she's also got a very healthy dose of support.
Tonight (Feb.3), entertainers are banding together to put on the East Van All Stars Variety Show at the Rio Theatre. It's a pay-what-you-can evening of burlesque, live music and spoken word performances to raise money for the Rio while Lea waits to hear whether the province will change its mind about not allowing her to show movies at the independent theatre.
Two weeks ago, Lea had to choose between hosting live events or showing movies at the Rio when, after more than a year's wait, she finally got a liquor licence approval. She'd applied thinking she could sell alcohol at the live events and continue to show movies without liquor sales. But the province's liquor licensing agency told her she'd have to choose, right then and there.
Against her will, she decided to stop showing movies.
On Monday night, Vancouver City Council agreed to write a letter to the province asking it to change its mind and allow the Rio to continue to show movies. She's also received the support of other provincial politicians.
Meanwhile, without the revenues from the movies, she's losing a lot of money. Tonight's show is to help tide her over until, it's hope, the province changes its mind. The doors open at 8 and the show starts at 9. Since it's a licensed event, no minors allowed.
