Channelside Cinemas in Trouble Over RNC Events

Channelside Cinemas could be facing a slow Republican National Convention after the landlord of the property is taking them in front of a federal judge today over planning special RNC events without the landlord's permission.

Owners of the property Channelside Bay Mall LLC are angered over the theater planning to use its lobby as a meeting hall, according to an article in Tampa Bay Times. Such use is prohibited in the lease of the theater, which filed for bankruptcy last year.

The owners say that other vendors in Channelside sought out permission to host special events during the RNC, but plans for events at the theater were never mentioned by its operators until late July. The theater was included in a release from RNC organizers in April that outlined available venues for RNC events.

Events planned include names like Glenn Beck, Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Sara Palin, Bill Cosby and Laura Bush according to an attorney for the theater.

Concerns over whether or not the planned events will interfere with approved events at Channelside have led the property owner to seek an emergency request for a restraining order against Channelside Cinemas, effectively barring them from holding any special RNC events.

A federal judge is scheduled to hear the emergency request today.