[Yahoo] Ruth Eckerd Hall calls off Scientology event to benefit Capitol Theatre

[News Thetan]

Ruth Eckerd Hall calls off Scientology event to benefit Capitol Theatre
1 December 2011, 8:34 pm
By Drew Harwell, Times Staff Writer

CLEARWATER — A planned Scientology fundraiser benefiting Ruth Eckerd Hall was abruptly canceled by the venue Thursday after an avalanche of criticism by hall supporters.

But a Scientology spokeswoman said late Thursday the church would still host the Jan. 7 benefit, disregarding the "hate mail" and pledging to still pass along all proceeds.

The benefit, Ruth Eckerd's first ever hosted by Scientology, would raise funds for the renovation of the historic Capitol Theatre downtown near Scientology's spiritual headquarters.

A fundraising drive for the theater, owned by the city but managed by Ruth Eckerd Hall, has been stalled for several years.

Only a day after invitations for the Scientology event went out, a "significant number of negative comments" led hall leaders to reconsider, Ruth Eckerd president and CEO Robert Freedman said Thursday afternoon. He said the benefit at the church's Fort Harrison Hotel, including a show by a Scientologist musician, would not go on.

Scientology's announcement that it would still hold the benefit came Thursday evening.

The hall's cancellation of the event was only the latest example of long-standing local tensions over Scientology, an unavoidable presence downtown that some have blamed for its demise.

more at http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/ruth-eckerd-hall-calls-off-scientology-event-to-benefit-capitol-theatre/1204431

[mefree]

Criticism over Scientologist ties forces Ruth Eckerd to cancel show

CLEARWATER, Florida -- Ruth Eckerd Hall announced Thursday afternoon it has canceled an upcoming fundraiser after negative reaction poured in due to its ties to the Church of Scientology.

It started with a mass email sent out by the non-profit music venue Wednesday morning. The email was an invitation to a January event at the Church, featuring David Pomeranz, a known Scientologist.

But it went to Ruth Eckerd's entire mailing list -- from anyone who has attended one show there to major donors -- leaving some furious about being asked to go to a Scientology function.

Some who received the email questioned if it was a violation of privacy and want to know who has their personal information....

more at http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/223873/8/Scientology-criticism-forces-Ruth-Eckerd-to-cancel-show

[mefree]

More press on this:

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/dec/02/6/scientology-fundraiser-for-clearwater-theater-canc-ar-329800/

and more.....

Scientology-backed concert canceled
2 December 2011, 6:32 pm

It didn't seem like much of an issue that the Church of Scientology wanted to get involved with a benefit concert for Ruth Eckerd Hall. But when the announcement went out, the theater was deluged with angry e-mails.

more, including video at http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/ruth-eckerd-hall-cancels-scientology-backed-benefit-concert-12022011

Scientology benefit generates controversy
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/03/2529558/scientology-benefit-generates.html