Albuquerque native and pop-country singer Alex Stern released a music video for her song "Runaways" a few days ago. The video shot by Randy Shaffer practically is a love letter to the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico. It features the Blue Swallow Motel, the Odeon Theatre, Watson's Ranch and Farm Supply and Tucumcari … Continue reading Singer’s new music video is a postcard from Tucumcari
Category: Theaters
Circle Cinema in Tulsa to screen “Bagdad Cafe”
The historic Circle Cinema in Tulsa will screen the cult-classic based on Route 66, "Bagdad Cafe," on Thursday night as part of the Mother Road Revival festivities. The screening of "Bagdad Cafe" is slated for 7 p.m., but a reception will be held at the moviehouse at 5:30 p.m. featuring music from Bandelier and documentary films featuring … Continue reading Circle Cinema in Tulsa to screen “Bagdad Cafe”
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces grants for 2016
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, under the auspices of the National Park Service, announced its cost-share grants for 2016. This year, the program awarded eight cost-share grants totaling more than $103,000 -- mostly for renovations or preservation of historic Route 66 properties. Since 2001, the program has awarded 122 projects $1.9 million with $3.1 … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces grants for 2016
Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
An additional marquee for the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, that was nixed because of its unpopularity is returning -- this time, to the back of the historic building. The theater's principals still are raising funds for the classic marquee. But they think the red-headed stepchild of the other marquee still can prove useful. The Herald-News reported: … Continue reading Unpopular marquee returning to Rialto Square Theatre
Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs to reopen next month
The historic Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs, Kansas, will reopen in July after it underwent nine years of renovations by a local couple. The Joplin Globe reported: A retired Caterpillar manager, Ron Puckett, 74, did much of the work himself after the couple bought the building at the northwest corner of 12th Street and Military … Continue reading Ritz Theatre in Baxter Springs to reopen next month
New Mexico aims to help old theaters
The state of New Mexico is trying to fix up movie theaters in small towns not only for the sake of historic preservation, but also to give an economic boost. The Associated Press reports: An economic development program, similar to efforts in Iowa and Illinois, seeks save the often-forgotten facilities [...] with help on refurbishing … Continue reading New Mexico aims to help old theaters
New Route 66-inspired sculpture dedicated in Albuquerque
"Reels and Wheels," a new public art sculpture in front of the historic Hiland Theatre, recently was dedicated in Albuquerque. According to KRQE-TV: The art piece serves a dual purpose as art and as the ABQ Ride bus shelter for the bus stop that sits directly in front of the Hiland Theater on Central. Riders … Continue reading New Route 66-inspired sculpture dedicated in Albuquerque
Coleman Theatre vandalized
Workers at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, on Wednesday found broken windows in the Route 66 landmark because of someone shooting a BB gun. KOAM-TV reported: Coleman Theatre Managing Director Shannon Duhon says the vandalism is a disgrace to a historic building that has been the crown jewel of Miami for nearly ninety years. … Continue reading Coleman Theatre vandalized
Maplewood Big M proposed on Route 66
The St. Louis suburb of Maplewood, Missouri, wants to use a giant letter M, plus other letters that stood on a theater's marquee, as a gateway into the city at Manchester Road, also known as an early alignment of Route 66 in the St. Louis area. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The 90-year-old porcelain … Continue reading Maplewood Big M proposed on Route 66
Sky View Drive-In has new owners
The Paul family owned the Sky View Drive-In Theatre along Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, for the last 30 years. By early March, another family in Litchfield also will own the theater. The Sky View is under contract to be bought by two husband-and-wife teams -- Nick and Mindy Pastrovich, plus Mike and Debbie Pastrovich. Mike and Debbie … Continue reading Sky View Drive-In has new owners