Did everyone get the clues the past two weeks on John Calvert?   If so, you know that Mr. Calvert is a stage magician and a movie star from the Golden Age of Hollywood.   The Strand is hosting a John Calvert Film Festival on Saturday October 16, 2010.   In anticipation of that event four of Mr. Calvert’s films will be shown throughout the next two months at the Strand.

Return of the Durango Kid,  Appointment with Murder, Search for Danger and Devil’s Cargo star Mr. Calvert as “The Falcon”.   These films will be a fun retrospect into the fascinating career of Mr. Calvert.   We will be posting show dates in the coming weeks.   We also want to extend a very Happy Birthday to Mr. Calvert.   On August 5th he celebrated his 99th birthday.  

This event and the films leading up to the event will be something special for our community and State.   We are thrilled that Mr. Calvert selected the Strand Theatre as the venue for this walk back in time.  During the show in October, Mr. Calvert will also perform stage magic, for which he is well know.

The Shelby County Players had a wonderful opening for their play “And Then There Were None.”   It continues this weekend on Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 and a Sunday Matinee at 2:00pm.   This Agatha Christie tale is fun and entertaining.   The Strand is pleased to be one of the venues for the SCP 2010-2011 Season.  Come out and support live theatre in Shelby County!

Is it hot?  Yet another test, on the second hottest day of 2010 the Shelby County Players decided to test the cooling capability of our antique equipment.   They had over 160 patrons with an outside temperature of over 90°.     While the actors kept the patrons in suspense, the Strand kept the audience cool.   We tend to talk about our challenges with the operation of the theatre a bit more that some other things.  One look at our equipment, and it is easy to see we are on borrowed time.   Thank goodness our not so antique volunteer Bob S. has the skill and experience to keep this equipment doing it’s job.   Keep your fingers crossed.

This coming week three events.   On Friday August 13th we will show…Friday the 13th (1980 version).   We thought it was clever too!   This will be a fun event starting at 8:00pm.   You will have plenty of time to get dinner at one of our great Shelby County restaurants, and then come to the Strand for popcorn and the movie.   Popcorn is a great dessert.   We hope to see you there.  

On Saturday August 14th author Joel Fox will visit the Strand to give a lecture on his new book Lincoln’s Hand.   This novel takes place around the stories related to the attempted grave robbing our 16th president.    The event starts at 2:00pm and is FREE. 

On Saturday Night the Bears of Blue River Festival Queen Pageant will start at 7:00 pm.   This event FREE.

Our volunteers are working hard each and every day to make the most of the theatre that has been entrusted to us.   We believe that our community if full of talented, energetic and wonderful people.   The Strand highlights what we have, as a community, to offer.    It is a pleasure for everyone that is connected to the theatre to be a part of such fun project.   Thank you for your support.  Without you we could not do what we do.    Our donations keep coming, yet we never ask.   That is a true testament to the community in which we live.   Thank you.