Page 9 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Lubbock Online Magazine

HONORING
Historic SMALL BUSINESSES

Cactus

Theater Reeling in the Years

Historic Downtown Venue Offers Classic, Independent Cinema

ince 1995, the historic Cactus pictures,” Holland said. “Like melody
Theater has primarily showcased and lyrics are to music, film is visual
Smusic and related theatrical storytelling. The Cactus Theater is
works – but as longtime area residents unique in that it can present either
know, its “first run” was as a single- medium to audiences, and right
screen movie house – from its Great now, presenting film makes the most
Depression opening in 1938 through sense, and tickets will be sold with
1958. Recounting history is notable appropriate social distancing factored
because this landmark venue is into the theater layout.”
returning to its roots while focusing
on classic and independent films for Since installing digital laser projection
now – with limited audience capacity and the largest retractable screen four
for the current times. years ago, the Cactus has occasionally
screened classics such as “Ben-Hur”,
“We’ve missed our audiences “Casablanca” and others – but the
and presenting a wide variety of current thrust will include not only
entertainment. Since March 14, we all-time favorites but also “art house”
have presented only one concert – and and “indie cinema” titles – often
the economics of concert productions under-represented on mainstream
didn’t equate with the cost of utilities, movie screens.
staffing and cleaning,” said owner/
promoter Darryl Holland, who took Holland adds, “To bridge the gap
the reins of the facility in 2016. between live concerts and traditional
films – we will also screen music
After months of being closed due documentaries and music-themed Information on all screenings, future
concerts and links to purchase tickets
to the ongoing pandemic, changing titles to give both in the same package.
programming to meet the amenities of We hope folks will support our can be found online at:
the facility and serve the public safely efforts by discovering some unique cactustheater.com
made film screenings the only logical films – past
choice. The transition from what and present.
many consider the ultimate music Being totally
“listening room” in West Texas – back independent
to that of a cinema – has taken time to and free from
process due to the uncertainties of the corporate
health climate and the desire of the control, we
general public. can program
what suits our
“I believe people want and need to sensibilities.
get back to life as we knew it – and There’s
our mission is to offer an escape while something
keeping this theater vibrant. That has special in that
been the central theme of the movies scenario.”
for as long as they’ve existed – to
transport viewers to another place
and time through the magic of motion

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