Gowanda's Historic Hollywood Theater

On June 5th we will host musicians Alison d'Amato, Lynne McMurtry, Sarah Marchitelli, Jacob Swanson, and Wildy Zumwalt for a Chamber Music at The Hollywood event! We're so excited to have live music and hope you will join us! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YNWLu3rp84&t=428s

Can we just brag a little bit about the extraordinary work that been accomplished. It's just so beautiful. Photo by Tracey Shaw Arabesque Photography

Enjoying the colors the music and the history as our Seneca neighbors take center stage today at the Hollywood.

DECEMBER 5th is almost here. If you haven't gotten your raffle ticket, there is still time!!! Stop in at Jesse's Home and Gifts or get one from your favorite Board Member. We will be outside beginning at 2:00 p.m. on December 5th if you want to get one then. The drawing will take place at 4:00 p.m. (you do not need to be present to win) We could all use a basket of holiday cheer this year, but only one lucky winner will win this one!!!

While walking someone into the theater on a tour yesterday, she asked "where is your ghost light?" We never had one , and after researching, we definitely needed a dedicated light for the stage when the theater is dark. A ghost light is said to light the way for ghosts that inhabit virtually every theater. It is also to honor all the plays and thespians that graced our stage and welcomes spirits from shows of our past. Our lights will be on again, until then, we light the way for our bright future.

2020 has been particularly hard on theaters. This year we are having a CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER to benefit the Hollywood and to help some lucky winners have a great holiday! BOARD MEMBERS: Mark Burr, Sal Dicembre, Linda Jones, Sandy Gaylord, Phil Palen, Aaron Markham, Amy Jarzynski, Amy Lindquist, Brenda Merrill, Diane Dye, Dr. Dana Anderson and Deb Story

WOO HOO! Facade work in progress! Check out those beautiful gilded letters!!!

Our most recent restoration work can be seen by cars and foot traffic that travel up and down Main Street. Sometimes hidden or dwarfed by our iconic Marquee, the upper entrance facade is another architectural accent that Swiatek Studios has been working on. This original feature easily distinguished the theater as the centerpiece of the Gowanda Village Historic District. Over the past 94 years, the elements have taken their toll. Bricks were loose and cracked, paint was peeli...ng and the wooden "HOLLYWOOD" letters were chipped and deteriorating. Brick work on the facade began over a year ago, but my mid-October temperatures began dipping and exterior paint work was delayed till Spring. Spring 2020 came and went with most of N.Y.S. on 'pause' due to Covid 19. Recently contractors have resumed work and what was a sad, faded entrance is now a beautifully restored, distinctive theater facade. The facade, as well as the interior murals, not only had the exceptional artistic skill and historical experience of Swiatek Studios involved, but were made possible by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, which was established in 1919 to enhance and encourage long-term philanthropy in the Western New York Community. The Community Foundation's mission is: connecting people, ideas and resources to improve the lives in Western New York. For more than 100 years the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to their care. We here at the Hollywood Theater are honored to be the recipient of grants that have helped move this project and our community forward. SEE BEFORE and AFTER See more

We are looking for pictures of the theater that range from the 20's through 90's. Between the theater and the historical society, we have a lot, but we are wondering if people have pictures that we have not seen before and love to include them in our archives and documentary. Please contact Amy at [email protected]. You may send a digital copy, or if you need me to scan it for you, I would be happy to.

Hello, Facebook, I need your memories! With the help of some other fantastic humans, I'm starting an interview project documenting Gowanda's Historic Hollywood... Theater's restoration (the good, the bad, and everything in between). The first stage of this process involves interviewing those personally involved with the restoration -- community members will come next, so stay tuned! If you know someone or are someone who's spent time volunteering for the theater or at the Happening at any point in the last 25+ years, please comment below or message me. I have a pretty good list so far, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anyone. THANK YOU See more

GREAT NEWS! We have 86 players coming to the 8th annual Hollywood Golf Tournament on Monday! Because of this, we will begin registrations earlier at 9:30 a.m. Just some COVID RULES you should know about: * Because of the need to social distance we would suggest coming early. * Alcohol cannot be served unless you ar...e sitting down and eating. We will not be selling alcohol on the course, but there will be alcohol available at dinner. ( you may bring your own beverages as long as it is in a small 6 pack cooler) * Masks are to be worn at registration, in the Clubhouse, when getting lunch at the turn, between holes 9 and 18, at the betting hole on 13 and the croquet putting contest. We will have extra masks in the player bags that we are handing out as well. * There are 56 carts. 44 have dividers and 12 do not, so the majority of people will need to ride 2 to a cart. IF you must have a single cart, you will need to show up early. *We will be able to sit in the clubhouse for dinner. Food and drink will be table service only. See more

Well, our iconic marquee is still in the sign hospital being restored, but today SWIETEK Painting began to evaluate our FACADE. Original paint color will be restored and the legendary 'HOLLYWOOD' letters replaced.

It's already AUGUST. What are you waiting for??? Sign up today!

August is just around the corner. If you are interested in being part of the Hollywood Theater 8th annual Golf Tournament -register now! Brochures and registrations can be picked up at Community Bank (Brenda Merrill) or by contacting Dana Anderson [email protected] or Aaron Markham at [email protected]

A big Hollywood "thank you" goes out to the Gowanda VFW and American Legion for their donation of a set of flags to Gowanda's Historic Hollywood Theater. On Monday Arnold Andolsek, Carol Sheibley and Robert Tiller assembled the flags in the theater. Old Glory is 6 x 8 feet with a beautiful gold trim and stands proudly next to our New York State flag. THANK YOU to all our area Veterans for making this possible!