Upstate Today: Clemson mayor receives assistance from CU students in efforts to 'Save the Astro'

Greenville News: Clemson students, mayor team up to save Astro

The Astro: Then and Now

The Astro was not the first theater in Clemson, but each of its predecessors was short-lived.  The Clemson Theater was located in the building across from Judge Keller's, where The Tiger Sports Shop is now located.  It closed soon after the Astro opened.  The YMCA theater, now also closed, was located in Holtzendorff lecture hall and showed second-run movies to students on campus.

The Astro III opened as a single movie house on January 21, 1971, with a red carpet showing of Tora, Tora, Tora, ("Tiger, Tiger, Tiger" in Japanese) and has been a town staple ever since.  Owned and operated by Star Theatres of Greenville, the theater was a highly decorated, Greek-themed venue with one screen.  Movies were priced at 50 cents.  In the 80s, the screening room was divided into three smaller screens with more modern sound capabilities.  After new theaters opened in the surrounding area, the Astro started showing first and second run movies at a discounted price. 

At the time of its closing, the Astro III was serving about 1000 patrons per week, 2500 per week in the summer.  The building now stands empty, its old marquis a lonely sign of disappearing culture and dwindling hope.

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What is our Mission?

The Astro III in Clemson is a historic landmark, a family-oriented theater that has provided countless students, faculty, and residents of Clemson with source of quality entertainment for over three decades. It is our goal to see that this Clemson institution is saved so that those who come after us can enjoy the same experience that we all have had with the Astro.

Mayor Abernathy has created a vision of what this new and improved Astro III can be. His three part vision includes 1) a functioning film theater, 2) a functional stage for local talent to perform, and 3) a special screen dedicated to international and foreign language film. This plan will not only continue to provide locals with quality film entertainment, but will give them more options in entertainment viewing, while at the same time fostering the growth of local talent by giving them a readily available and affordable performance arena.

Our hope is that future generations of students and families in Clemson will be able to enjoy and support each other in the tradition of a rich, vibrant local culture that is centered on the few short blocks of our modest downtown. We hope those in the future can be as proud as we are now to call it home.

Regardless of the Astro's fate, however, this event speaks for a greater cause.  The Clemson Coalition for Arts Enhancement recognizes that the Astro symbolizes, in part, the presence of the arts in our community, and that without portals for music, theatre, dance, writing, and film, a community will never sustain its affinity for the arts.  The fight to develop such an affinity begins with small businesses like the Astro III.  Therefore, this event will not only promote the Astro, but also bring attention to the undeniable urgency to uphold culture in downtown Clemson and small-town America as a whole.

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How do we get there?

There are many steps involved in making our vision a reality.

1) Sign the Petition- Visit our digital petition, or be on the lookout for citizens around Clemson with paper petitions. Let's show those in power exactly how many people are affected and hurt by the closing of this landmark.

2) Write Letters- Let's flood the local newpapers with editorials about how important the Astro is to those in the community.

3) Attend the Save the Astro Rally- Coming to Downtown Clemson on November 21,2008, the Save the Astro rally will feature local music and other talent, as well as many local vendors. Come out and support local arts and show your love for the Astro!

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See what locals are saying about the Astro!

Mayor Abernathy

More to Come!

Other Important Person!

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