18 Nov 21st-Nov 27th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | cameras capturing ecstasy sales within 30 seconds of entering the venue. “It was a lot rowdier then,” recalls Donovan, who used to frequent the club during her high school years. The Nile closed in 2002, and the building was taken over by Faith Harvest Church, which remained in the space until the building was sold and transformed once again into an entertainment venue. Donovan has been managing the Nile since 2009. “We had to overcome a lot of hurdles that the previous version of the venue created,” she explains. “Mesa had kind of a bad taste in its mouth about the Nile Theater, but I feel that we’ve been able to change the perception of that. And by leaning into the history and the impor- tance of the history of this building, it allows people who live downtown, or people who come downtown, to take ownership of the space because it’s been here for so long. It’s kind of like a beacon of what it used to be, but at the same time, we’re providing entertainment, so it’s like mixing old and new. “And I think it’s important for historic places in downtown to still look and feel the way they did, because it makes it feel established,” Donovan continues. “You can’t get an original Lehi brick 1924 building that’s still being used to entertain people. You can’t remake that authenticity.” In recent years, the Nile’s exterior and interior have received much-needed reno- vations. In 2018, the city of Mesa removed the universally disliked colonnade that blocked views of local businesses and prevented buildings from receiving historic designations. At that time, the stucco coating was removed from the Nile’s facade, revealing the original Lehi brick exterior. Inside, Donovan renovated the lobby and the bathrooms and painted the inte- riors. The coffee shop that was once sublet was brought in-house under the same name. It opened in 2015 and serves locally roasted coffee, pastries and a vegan food menu. Two summers ago, the entire sound system was overhauled to a state-of-the-art L-Acoustics system. And best of all, proper air conditioning was added. “We don’t have investors,” Donovan notes. “So every- thing that we renovate is using money that we’ve made and are reinvesting. It’s brick by brick, and we’re improving as we can. “We’ve prettied her up a lot since I used to come here,” Donovan adds with a smile. These days, the theater offers three performance spaces: the lobby/coffee shop, the upstairs main venue and the basement Underground. In any given week, the Nile can host 21 shows, from poetry readings in the coffee shop to metal bands in the main room to hip-hip in the Underground. With an overall capacity of almost 1,300 people, crowds can gather rapidly. But Donovan is quick to point out the differ- ences between the audiences of today and those of the late ’90s. “We’re an all-ages venue, and our job is to create a safe space for kids to come to where their parents feel that it’s OK. It hasn’t always been that way,” she says. “We don’t want to upset our neighbors, and we don’t want the Nile to live up to its past, so we make sure that we’re doing everything we can to be respectful to downtown.” And part of that respect is returning the Nile to its former glory. And Donovan’s work has not gone unnoticed. “The Nile has been a cornerstone of downtown Mesa since it first opened its doors as a theater in 1924. It was one of the premier spots in town, where families and friends would gather to catch the latest films and live performances,” says Mesa Mayor John Giles. “Michelle’s stew- ardship has been a tremendous benefit to Mesa. She’s not only preserved the histor- ical essence of the building but also reimagined it as a community hub. The building is a reminder of our city’s rich history, and Michelle’s dedication is ensuring that it will continue to be a point of pride in our community for future generations.” Rock Like an Egyptian from p 16 Against Me! perform at The Nile in 2011, the year after it was reopened as a music venue. (Photo by Maria Vassett)
