(Keep HHT Alive)
As the Covid-19 quarantine continues to keep everyone apart, the valley community is gathering together to help keep the Historic Hemet Theatre from becoming a victim of the pandemic. Just a couple of months ago, it looked like 2020 was going to be a spectacular year for the popular concert venue:
The first three concerts of the year, featuring tributes to Elton John, Karen Carpenter and Tina Turner, were sell outs; Final touches were coming together on a stunning lobby renovation; Architects and the City of Hemet were tweaking the plans for the next phase of construction; and volunteers were brainstorming ideas for a dozen special events to celebrate the 100th birthday of the theatre in 2021.
Since then, the box office has been locked up tight and nine concerts have been postponed. It is likely that several more will be postponed before state and local officials allow the facility to reopen.
Even after movie theaters open, HHT will remain silent until all the social distancing restrictions are removed. With top bands and low ticket prices, HHT events cannot even pay the band with only 25% of seats filled.
Meanwhile, in order to help meet its financial obligations during the shutdown, HHT has launched a fundraiser on Facebook and social media. Donations from Facebook, the HHT website and checks through the mail are arriving every day.
In just the first week, over $3600 was raised from patrons and supporters helping to keep the Foundation going through the virus emergency. Meanwhile, patrons holding tickets are waiting for the box office to reopen and they can exchange their tickets for an upcoming show. Once a reopening is scheduled, tickets will be available for the remainder of the year.
To join the campaign to help keep HHT alive, visit the theatre’s website, www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HistoricHemetTheatre.
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