When the State Theater became The Fillmore Detroit in June, the most visible change was to its Woodward marquis. While other small tweaks have been made to its interior, owner Live Nation took pains to keep it "very Detroit
and very Fillmore at the same time," says Jennifer Berkmeier, special events director.
The Fillmore touches that have been introduced include blue lighting accents incorporated into the original chandeliers and the addition of seven official Fillmore chandeliers. Since all Fillmores have wood floors and a red color scheme, the venue was already in good shape on that count. In both lobbies, rock posters have been hung that focus on local musicians as well as
Fillmore history.
Perhaps the most Fillmore-esque touch is a basket of apples in the lobby placed beneath a sign encouraging patrons to "Have one or two." Berkmeier says that so far, there have been no reports of the fruit being used to assault a performer.
Berkmeier says that bringing the Fillmore to Detroit, its fifth location, seemed obvious to the company. "People can look at Detroit and see potential," she says. "We're so excited to be right across the street from Comerica Park. Every game day, there is the potential for 40,000 people to see our marquis. And it's really cool being in an up and coming area."
Source: Jennifer Berkmeier, The Fillmore Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh