With a decade and a half of entertaining locals and tourists with movies and gigs behind them, some friends of the Dome decided to get together and throw a party to celebrate the milestone.
“A couple of weeks ago some friends said we needed to do something so they got some bands together and created posters,” owner Sally Shanks said.
Born in Piopio, a small town near Te Kuiti, Shanks moved to Gisborne 32 years ago with her then-husband who owned a farming station in the region.
She opened Staple Furniture, which stocked her designs made by local craftspeople. The store closed after the 2007 earthquake.
“That’s when I moved into a little area in the Poverty Bay Club,” Shanks said,
“While I was in the area I noticed that the dome room wasn’t being used.
“I thought ‘Wow. This is a great opportunity’. And that’s how it came about it.”
The dark room with no windows and natural soundproofing presented the perfect ambience for film.
Calling herself the dame of the Dome, Shanks said the place gets its name from the three glass domes in the ceiling.
“Everything is inspired by the dome.”
After acquiring it from its previous owner, she soon got the opportunity to use the bar area.
The venue then went on to host musicians, hold private parties, fundraisers and even open a restaurant to “keep things financially viable”.
After 15 years of going strong, the dame of the Dome credits its success to hard-working staff and community participation.
“I would love to thank the community for their support. It has been an amazing journey.”
Guests are invited to attend the low-key celebration on Saturday, June 18 from 7pm.
