Gowanda Small Town Times

Back when the Gowanda Hollywood Theater’s coming events page began filling up with concerts and other attractions for 2023, there were complaints on Facebook about not having movies. Since then, a trio of movies have been scheduled for the near future to judge public support for movies..

One of the issues that has plagued the theater in the past with movies has been low attendance. Licensing fees can run anywhere from $300 to over $1,000 per showing. This has been a factor in preventing the theater from showing first-run films at the higher end of that spectrum and as well as making attendance a key consideration for the lower cost screenings.

Leading off the current movie offerings on March 31 is “Top Gun Maverick”. The PG-13 film from 2022 features Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly and Val Kilmer. Set 30 years after the original “Top Gun” movie, Maverick returns to the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program to train some new pilots, including the son of one of his best friends.

The next day, April 1, it will be the children’s movie, “Frozen 2”. Rated PG, Elsa’a story continues with a journey into the enchanted forest as more of the Frozen story is revealed. Once again, the voices of Kristen Bell (Anna) and Idina Menzel (Elsa) are featured.

The final movie in the current series brings George Clooney and Julia Roberts to the Gowanda screen in “Ticket to Paradise”. Released in Fall 2022, this is another PG-13 offering. The story revolves around two bickering divorced parents whose daughter, vacationing in Bali, has announced plans to marry one of the locals. The parents fly off to the tropical paradise intent on preventing their daughter from making a “mistake” similar to theirs.

Gowanda’s Honk’s Grape & Grain has stepped up to sponsor the upcoming movie series. The Hollywood Theater is looking for the community to show their interest in movies at the theater by attending. The frequency and type(s) of movies that might be shown going forward will be made with reference to the way these are received by the public.

Times and additional information on these and other upcoming Hollywood Theater offerings can be found online at https://www.gowandahollywoodtheater.com/upcoming

The 18th annual Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet is set for Saturday, March 25 at the Gowanda Moose Lodge.

This year’s inductees include: Tammy Putt, Allegany-Limestone; William Aiello, Olean; Allan Dunlap, Franklinville; Larry Welty, Portville; Marty Burroughs, Ellicottville; Jeffrey Hatfield, Gowanda; Chuck Howard, South Dayton; Frank Asquith, Pioneer; John Zalewski, Salamanca; Jeff Horth, Cattaraugus-Little Valley; and Mike Ahrens, West Valley, posthumously.

The program begins at 5 p.m. with a social and sports auction followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $30 apiece and can be reserved by calling Mark Benton, banquet chairman, at 716-532-4053 or email hidibenton@gmail.com. The deadline for all reservations is March 18.

The Historic Hollywood Theater in Gowanda, New York has been silent so far this year. Concerns about weather possibly interfering with events caused them to avoid scheduling anything in January or February. Even so, they have still been busy planning a busier schedule of events heading into Spring.

World renowned organist Dennis James will be back on March 25th as the theater’s silent movie series returns for another year. Shortly after that, on March 30, the Gowanda High School chorus brings their Cabaret Concert back to the Hollywood for a second year.

A busy and diverse April follows starting with “The Grand Illusion” performing the music of Styx on April 15. Then, on April 21 and 22, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” will be presented. This musical theater production is strictly intended for adults. April continues with the Gowanda Central School Art Show at the theater on April 26. The Hollywood will close out April celebrating Willie Nelson ’s 90th birthday with a Willie Nelson Tribute concert on the 29th.

Classic rock is featured in May with a pair of bands coming to the Hollywood. On May 6 there will be “A Tribute to Tom Petty”. Closing out May, on the 27th, “Green River” brings the songs of CCR and John Fogerty to Gowanda.

The Nickel City Opera brings a full production of “The Barber of Seville” to the theater on June 25. This production was initially scheduled for Friday, the 23rd. Once it was realized that the date conflicted with high school graduation, the show was moved to the Sunday date.

The annual Hollywood Theater Drama Camp returns in August. Then, on September 9, “A Night of Classic Country Music” will be staged. This promises to bring the songs of Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and more!

Heading into Fall, two classic bands are scheduled to make a return visit to Gowanda. September 30 brings in “Eaglez” with their tribute to “The Eagles”. Then, the audio-visual extravaganza that is “The Floyd Concept” returns on October 7. One other band just recently began planning an October 21 visit to the Hollywood. They will fill the building with the music of “Foreigner”.

The schedule is constantly evolving. The latest updates and ticket information can always be found on the Hollywood Theater website at https://www.gowandahollywoodtheater.com/upcoming.

from the New York State Lottery

Jan 8, 2023

The New York Lottery today announced a second-prize ticket for the Saturday Powerball drawing was sold in Gowanda worth $1 million.

Shop N Save, located at 10 Buffalo St., was where the winning ticket was sold. In addition, the state Lottery noted four other state winners at $50,000 with one in Buffalo at the 7-Eleven on North French Road.

The winning numbers for the Powerball game are drawn from a field of one to 69. The red Power Ball is drawn from a separate field one to of 26. The Powerball drawing is televised every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.