In the 70’s the theatre was purchased by Eben and Betty Smart, and mostly operated by their boys, my friends, Knight and Rett. They showed four screenings a week, and two different movies a week, driving all the way to Marysville to pick up the huge film trays that came from San Francisco. We had a lot of fun in those days. Then came the TV. Then came the VCR. And then the movies stopped.
The Sierra County Arts has revived this community event and are pleased to announce our series will be showing a variety of critically acclaimed and entertaining movies this summer. The series will be enhanced this year by our new bigger, better, mechanical screen installed by technical guru Greg Bostrom. We can’t afford to show first run movies, but our authentic experience is worth the $7 suggested donation to get in. This series preserves Downieville’s historical and cultural vitality. The popcorn is delicious too!
The Arts Council must pay full license fees to show these movies and we are always looking for sponsors who would like to sponsor a show. Our line up this year includes – Mary Poppins Returns(already sponsored by the Riverside Inn), Silverado, Ready Player One, First Man, and On the Basis of Sex. We also will have a movie for the Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race and Festival sponsored by Santa Cruz and yet to be determined. If you would like to sponsor a movie, please contact B.J. Jordan at 530-289-3673 or email:info@sierracountyartscouncil.org. Sierra County Arts Council is State Local Partner with the California Arts Council.