Two decades | News, Sports, Vacancies

For Angelo Valentino and Ilsa Mai, having fun is in their DNA as they strive to create and sustain an arts culture in Jamestown.

Valentino said their journey together began in 2002 on the stage of Jamestown Community College during a production of “The Pajama Game.” Their on-stage chemistry quickly developed into a dynamic off-stage partnership that allowed them to perform in front of audiences.

In October 2004, Valentino added, they officially launched BigTime Productions, marking a new chapter in their creative careers.

“I think our first production is our first high point,” Valentino said. “I was at the Chautauqua Lake Idol at Bemus (Point).”

Odyssey Hall is located inside The Spire theater complex. Sent photo

And at a performance at Bemus Point, he and Madge realized that he might not win the competition, the winner of which would receive $1,000 and a brand new car. So they put Plan B into action.

“So we decided we were going to put on a show. We will invite some of the other finalists and semi-finalists to perform,” Valentino said.

Their first major show, Idols in Concert, in collaboration with radio station WWSE (SE-93), debuted on October 9, 2004. This event set the stage (no pun intended) for what would become a 20-year legacy of Jamestown performances. art scene.

According to Valentino, as their careers flourished, so did their personal lives. They married in October 2007 and had their first child, daughter Riya, in 2008 the following year. In 2013, their son Logie was born, and in 2015 their second daughter, Kati, was born. In 2008, the couple took over management of The Crown Theater and went on to produce such popular shows as “Life with Pepperoni,” “Legendary” and “Chautauqua’s Got Talent.”

The couple’s most ambitious venture came in 2012, when they purchased the historic First Congregational Church with the goal of turning it into a cultural complex, Valentino said.

This is a future concept drawing for the revamped Spire Theater cultural multiplex. Sent photo

It wasn’t difficult.

The Spire Theater and the InSpire Development Center appeared.

And Valentino became the site’s event coordinator and director.

“Running a small business is never easy, especially when it’s located in such a large, historic building,” Valentino said.

When they purchased the oldest church in Jamestown and converted it, they inherited a building full of charm and challenges. From loose bricks to a leaky roof, there was always something to repair or improve.

The Spire Theater is located at 317 E. Third St., Jamestown. Sent photo

“Unlike other local businesses, some of which have received grants of up to $1 million, The Spire has never received that kind of financial assistance,” Valentino said.

Their efforts, according to Valentino, have always relied solely on direct support from the community. Over the past two decades, while many businesses have opened and closed (some despite significant financial support), the couple have continued to support The Spire as a grassroots enterprise.

“Our success speaks to the strength of community solidarity and their tireless dedication to the arts in Jamestown,” Valentino said.

The complex, located at 317 E. Third St., now includes Odyssey Hall, the Studio Metro Underground Theater and the InSpire North Wing, which houses art and music studios, as well as film and recording facilities.

“Maintaining the operation of such a large facility poses a number of challenges,” Valentino said. “Maintenance and upgrades are ongoing needs, and without outside funding, every project—from roof repairs to heating system maintenance—depends on the generosity of the community and revenue generated from events.”

Valentino added that despite the obstacles, The Spire continues to thrive, driven by the belief that arts and culture are essential to the fabric of Jamestown. He said that through the entertainment programs at The Spire, he is also helping some restaurants and bars grow business in their establishments. He’s also trying to make Jamestown an arts center.

The Spire’s diverse program of theatrical performances, live music, film screenings and signature events such as Chautauqua’s Got Talent and InSpire Fest keeps the theater busy, Valentino said. The Backstage Jam series offers intimate live music experiences that foster deeper connections between artists and their audiences.

Upcoming performances include Donna The Buffalo, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m., and Uncaged (Zac Brown Tribute Band), Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit inspirationjamestown.com/tickets or Facebook.com/spiretheater.

“We’re trying to make sure our kids don’t want to leave when they grow up,” Valentino said.