Catie Stanley, a long-time Hemet resident and Hemet High School graduate, has stepped into the role of General Manager with a passion rooted deeply in her memories of the iconic theater.

“I remember coming here as a child when it was a two-dollar cinema,” she said. “Those experiences helped shape my love for the arts. I want this place to feel like a home for everyone; a place where everyone feels welcome and inspired.”

The Historic Hemet Theater is already seeing a wave of enthusiasm as locals return to enjoy the unique ambiance of this cherished historic venue and Stanley is eager to keep that momentum going.

“Our goal is to nurture a theater atmosphere that is welcoming, inspiring, and full of energy,” she said. “This is more than a performance space; it’s a place to connect, celebrate, and create memories together.”

Stanley’s vision for the future centers on making it a space where the entire community can come together, enjoy diverse entertainment, and feel proud of their local arts scene.

“This is about bringing the community back into the heart of the Historic Hemet Theatre,” she said. “We want to be a gathering place that celebrates community and offers experiences that resonate with people of all ages.”

This summer, the venue will showcase an exciting lineup of performances designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes and bring the community out in force. Highlights include Swing, Soul, and Rock ’n Roll, May 24; The Doobie Doubles, a Doobie Brothers tribute, May 31; Disney in Concert featuring Anne Martinez, June 7; Buffett Beach, a tribute to Jimmy Buffett, June 14; Southern Fried, celebrating southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, The Marshall Tucker Band, the Allman Brothers, and more, June 21; and Led Zeppelin IV, a tribute to Led Zeppelin, June 28. All shows begin at 7 p.m.

These performances underscore the theater’s commitment to providing diverse, high-quality entertainment while also cultivating a sense of belonging and excitement within the community.

With an entertainment destination that has been in the community for more than a century, it seems hard to find something new that will excite audiences, but Stanley and her team have big dreams. For those who want to support the theater’s mission, opportunities to become members or participate in seat naming are available, fostering a closer connection between patrons and this cultural cornerstone. There is also a place for lovers of the arts to volunteer their time to help make these dreams a reality.

As the theater continues its revitalization efforts, the focus remains clear: to bring the community back, build new memories, and keep the spirit of the Historic Hemet Theatre alive for generations to come.

For more information and tickets, call 951-658-5950 or visit www.HemetTheatre.org.

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“Merry Little Christmas” was the biggest selling holiday album in the country in 2000, recorded by Linda Ronstadt under the Elektra/Asylum Records label.

This concert will feature a compilation of holiday songs from that album, plus the greatest hits of Ronstadt’s career.

Linda Ronstadt was considered to be the most successful female singer of the 1970’s. She recorded 24 albums across a diverse range of genres, including rock, country, light opera and latin. She earned eleven Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, and an Emmy.

Some of Ronstadt’s top hits include “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” “You’re No Good,” “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You),” “When Will I Be Loved,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Blue Bayou,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Hurt So Bad,” and “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby.”

Tickets still remain for the Holiday Tribute to Linda Ronstadt on December 18th. Showtime for this special show is 7 pm. General Admission tickets are $25. And don’t forget to grab your tickets for the 100-year Anniversary Gala on Saturday January 15th, starring the one and only Rich Little. Gala tickets are $100 general admission and $200 for VIP table seating at the foot of the stage.

The next season of Tribute Mania begins in January, with tributes to The Bee Gees, Prince, Marvin Gaye, AC/DC, Mańa, The Doors, Johnny Cash and Van Halen. Tickets for Tribute Mania events are $25, general admission. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. You can subscribe to the HHT email blast by enrolling on the website.

Susan Carrier | Contributed

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But now, the secret is out! “Vintage Vegas” will feature a performance by the legendary impressionist and comedian Rich Little.

Little is a master mimic of more than 200 voices. He gained notoriety in the 1960s, performing on all the top variety shows, including Judy Garland, Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason, The Tonight Show and Dean Martin’s Celebrity Roast.

Among his hundreds of appearances, Little starred in an HBO special, Rich Little’s Christmas Carol. In this one-man show, he portrays celebrities in each role (W. C. Fields as Ebenezer Scrooge, Paul Lynde as Bob Cratchit, etc.) The theatre hopes to screen the film as part of a special holiday event this December.

At age 83, Little still performs regularly in Las Vegas at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana. This summer, Little was in New York appearing as Nixon in “Trial on the Potomac,” an Off-Broadway play about what would have happened if Nixon hadn’t resigned.

General admission tickets for the 100-year gala will be $100. A limited number of VIP tables at the foot of the stage will also be available. Tickets will be available mid-November.

Meanwhile, the theatre has released a list of the shows scheduled for the next season of Tribute Mania in January. The lineup will include tributes to The Bee Gees, Prince, Marvin Gaye, AC/DC, Tom Petty, The Doors, Johnny Cash and Van Halen. The final schedule of dates will be announced this weekend as Mirage performs their Tribute to Fleetwood Mac to close out the 2021 season. Tickets for Tribute Mania events are $25, general admission. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm.

Once again, HHT will offer a limited number of VIP Season Tickets with early admission at 6:00 pm. To qualify for season tickets, a patron must purchase tickets to four or more tickets in the season. Tickets for all concerts will be available on Monday November 9th. This season, for the first time, members of the theatre’s Century Club will be able to purchase VIP Season tickets a week early, beginning November 2nd.

Century Club members are supporters that have pledged at least $500 for the theatre’s building fund. Information on the Century Club and all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. You can subscribe to the HHT email blast by enrolling on the website.

Emily Rand | Contributed

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Festivities for the event will include special food, games, and activities. Concessions will include $3 beer and wine, along with popcorn and HHT’s usual assortment of snacks.

It’s a great way to watch the game with a lively group of football fans. This week’s game is a matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bengals are favored to win by 7-1/2 points, although analysts expect that the Jaguars’ younger defense may be able to play “keep-away,” and the Bengals’ weak home field turnout will work against them.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s Tribute to Foreigner featuring 4NR is sold out, along with the rest of the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Series, including The Beatles, with Hard Day’s Night (Oct 16), and Tribute to Fleetwood Mac with Mirage (Oct 23). There are still tickets available for the Tribute to Queen featuring Queen Nation (Nov 20) and the Holiday Tribute to Linda Ronstadt (Dec 4).

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. You can subscribe to the HHT email blast by enrolling on the website.

Emily Rand | Contributed

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This week, residents all over the IE are finding out what HHT patrons have known for years – Hemet’s vintage movie house hosts the tribute best bands in the country, in an atmosphere that is family-friendly and packed with high-energy fun! If you have not experienced it for yourself…maybe it’s time?

The 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Series wraps up next month, but the end of the year will be packed with special events for the holiday season.

On Saturday November 20th, Queen Nation will return for a long-awaited encore performance of their amazing Tribute to Queen. Tickets for this special event are selling very fast – already half the tickets are gone. Special price for this show is $35.

Plans are still progressing for the elegant “Vintage Vegas” annual gala on Saturday December 4th. HHT is in final negotiations on the entertainment, so that tickets can be made available soon.

This week, HHT is announcing that a special Tribute to Linda Ronstadt concert has been scheduled for December 18th. “A Merry Little Christmas” will feature “Ronstadt Revival” performing songs from the Ronstadt holiday album along with lots of other Ronstadt hits. Tickets for this special show are just $25, available now at the Box Office.

4 shows remain in the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Season: Tribute to Bob Seger, featuring Turn the Page (Sept 18), Tribute to Foreigner. featuring 4NR (Oct 2), Tribute to The Beatles, with Hard Day’s Night (Oct 16), and Tribute to Fleetwood Mac with Mirage (Oct 23).

Tickets for Tribute Mania are $25, general admission. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm. Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. You can subscribe to the HHT email blast by enrolling on the website.

Emily Rand | Contributed

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“Century Celebration” was promoted as a Chamber Mixer by the Hemet San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Greater San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce. It was the first time that the two organizations have joined together for an event.

The festivities began with food from Downtown Deli & Coffee Company, Sweet’s Smokehouse & Grill, and Too Haute to Handle, along with champagne donated by the Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber.

The emcee for the program was local celebrity Jerome Robinson, lead singer of the 2nd Generation Platters. Along with his signature humor, Jerome shared his perspective as a performer on the great sound and enthusiastic audiences that make HHT a favorite place to play.

Hemet Mayor Karlee Meyer and members of the City Council began the celebration by presenting CEO Susan Carrier with a Key to the City.

Next, dozens of dignitaries came forward to present HHT with Certificates of Recognition from the City of Hemet, the City of San Jacinto, County Supervisor Chuck Washington, District Assemblymen (Districts 42, 67 and 71), State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh, and US Congressman Raul Ruiz, as well as from both Chambers of Commerce.

At the end of the program, a surprise announcement was made. Tom Westley of the Press Enterprise came forward to announce that in mid-September, the PE Best of the Inland Empire Awards will include HHT as a top music venue in the Inland Empire.

In her closing remarks, CEO Carrier emphasized the importance of continuing the renovation efforts. “In eight years, we have turned this doomed old building into a thriving community arts center. But there is much to be done to realize the potential here – not only to preserve of one of the oldest movie houses in the country, but to bring quality, affordable entertainment to the valley and revitalize Hemet’s Downtown District. We need the valley community to provide the financial support to make that happen.”

In addition to the program, over 2 dozen gift baskets were raffled off, raising over $800 for the theatre’s Building Fund. A Thomas Kincade print, signed by the artist was live auctioned, raising another $2100.

Following the ceremony, a Tribute to Bread was performed by “Pure Bread” – one of HHT’s tribute bands scheduled to appear next year.

The “Century Celebration” mixer event was only the beginning of a year of special events. Future events include a Hemet Heritage Foundation presentation on the history of the theatre on Monday October 11th, a screening of Michael Tennant’s “Mr. Whittier’s Hemet” about the founding of the town, a Halloween ghost-hunting tour, a Christmas Carol Sing-a-long, and an elegant gala, “Vintage Vegas” (Dec 4). Other special events will continue into next year.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling (951) 658-5950. Box Office is open Monday thru Friday, 11am – 5pm.

By: Emily Rand | Contributed

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Before the show began, CEO Susan Carrier announced that one of the theatre’s four A/C units has been pronounced dead. The units are over 50 years old and are scheduled to be replaced during the ongoing renovations, as funding permits.

Carrier also announced that the theatre has receive a $100k grant from the Federal Government as part of the $16B Shuttered Venue Operator Grant Program. But that is less than half the cost of the new rooftop A/C units. Already, HHT fans are jumping in to help, with several donations of $500 and $1000.

Meanwhile, fans of John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival were not deterred by the warmer than usual auditorium. At times, the dance floor almost looked like a mosh pit. And the sing-along lines in each song were some of the loudest HHT has ever seen.

If you missed the show, you still have time to catch Brad and the boys at the Celebration of Life for Bryan Carrier on Sunday July 18th. Memorial Service will begin at 2pm, followed by a concert featuring tribute bands playing the music of James Taylor & Carol King (Taylor Made Tapestry), Bread (Pure Bread), CCR (Fortunate Son), Crosby Stills Nash & Young (Deja vu), and The Eagles (The Long Run). Call the Box Office for information.

The remaining shows in the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Season are Tribute to Abba, with Abba Fab (Jul 24), Tribute to Santana, with Smooth Sounds of Santana (Aug 7), Tribute to Tina Turner, featuring Debby Holiday (Aug 14), Tribute to Neil Diamond, with Hot August Night (Aug 21), Tribute to Led Zeppelin, with Led Zepagain (Sept 4), Tribute to Bob Seger, with Turn the Page (Sept 18), Tribute to Foreigner. featuring 4NR (Oct 2), Tribute to The Beatles, with Hard Day’s Night (Oct 16), and Tribute to Fleetwood Mac with Mirage (Oct 23).

Tickets for Tribute Mania are $25, general admission. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. You can subscribe to the HHT email blast by enrolling on the website.

Event tickets are available at the theatre box office (Monday thru Friday 11 am to 5pm) or online at www.PurplePass.com. Tickets are also available at the Downtown Deli, 113 N Harvard St and the Harvard Street Music Exchange, 134 S Harvard St.

Emily Rand | Contributed

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Growing up in Southern California, Melendez made a name for himself in art. Working in Michigan for the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, he also painted murals in both professional stadiums. Then, across the country, painting murals for Bass Pro Shops, McDonald’s, and Budweiser. He found a home in Michigan; but helping family came first. Family brought him back to Hemet.

Hemet is not exactly known as an overly artistic community. However, Melendez continued solo projects in Michigan for major clients and around the country. With the goal of less isolation, he found his way into the Hemet Theater.

Like many of us, Melendez first walked into the theater and met Bryan Carrier. That was in February 2020. Melendez immediately realized a fast friendship with both Bryan and the theater. He could not imagine that one month later, as he began work on Marilyn Monroe in one of three large murals, the pandemic would shut down every theater in the country.

Melendez recounts his surprise and the work involved to bring the art deco themed lobby to life: “All of a sudden I found myself alone with my work, going up and down ladders, crawling along to finish everything.”

The three murals, the art deco designed theater logo, a life-sized wooden cut-out of Elvis, and the same gold border pattern in the lobby are all hand-painted by Melendez.

“Everything in the lobby is coordinated. I did a lot of the stuff laying on my stomach, on my hands and knees, and squatting like a catcher in a baseball game,” he explained.

Working with the Carriers for the HHT renovations allowed him to continue his art in what was supposed to be a lively theater community. The closure changed those plans. He received the architectural sketches of the theater produced by Steve Covington, which cemented the concept for one of the large murals.

As you walk into the theater a 12-foot-long mural of the Hemet Theater runs along the left side of lobby. This mural also contains a memorial to Bryan Carrier. As Melendez said, “it was necessary to keep Bryan in the theater in some way; I wouldn’t have even been there without him.”

Among other losses the theater suffered during the closure, this was the hardest of all. Melendez, remembering how it all began, told the story, “I had gone in to talk about showing my art and met Bryan [Carrier]. He let me hang up three of my portraits. He did say we needed to get approval from Susan. She approved them; and we talked about the murals.”

Now, with the finishing touches being completed, the opening is almost here. Melendez said of the opening, “After all the hardships the theater experienced during the closure, I’ll be happy to see the doors open, to see people taking pictures in front of Marilyn.”

Coming in June you can see this masterpiece of the golden age of Hollywood for yourself. Get your tickets in person at the Box Office or visit the website www.HistoricHemetTheater.com. To see more art by the artist, Dan Melendez, visit him at danmelendezart on Instagram.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling (951) 658-5950. Box Office hours, Monday thru Friday, 11am – 5pm.

Emily Rand • Historic Hemet Theater

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On Friday, October 4th, Neil Morrow will return to the Historic Hemet Theatre. This time, Neil will be paying tribute to “The Big O,” Roy Orbison. Back in the 1950s, Orbison became known for his passionate singing style and dark, emotional ballads. He remains among the top 100 recording artists of all time.

Top Orbison hits include: “Only the Lonely,” “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Crying,” “You Got It,” “Ooby Dooby,” “Candy Man,” and “Blue Bayou.”

HHT Regulars will remember Neil Morrow from his performance as Johnny Cash in the “Cash, Killer and the King” show that appeared here in 2017 and 2018. Morrow’s rich voice and amazing falsetto are a perfect fit for the hard to replicate vocals of the man nicknamed the “Caruso of Rock.”

Meanwhile, tickets are completely gone for the Tribute to The Eagles on Saturday, September 28th. Tickets are dwindling for the Tributes to The Beatles on Saturday, October 12th and Buddy Holly & the Legends of Rock & Roll on Saturday, October 26th. 

Other shows in the Tribute Mania Concert Series include tributes to Huey Lewis & the News (11/2), The Blues Brothers (11/23), and Styx (12/7).

The country music Friday Nite Live Series also continues with tributes Reba McEntire (11/8) and Keith Urban (12/13).

Show tickets $22 presale / $25 day of show. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm.  Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the Ticket Office, (951) 658-5950. 

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On Saturday, September 14th, the Historic Hemet Theatre will welcome back to the stage one of its most requested tributes – Southern California’s top tribute to The Beach Boys, Surf’s Up.

In 1961, The Beach Boys released their debut single “Surfin,” sparking the creation of an entire genre of music called “beach sound” and inspiring a decade of music around the California lifestyle. The band remains one of the most critically acclaimed, commercially successful and influential bands of all time, selling over 100 million records. 

Classic Beach Boys songs include “Surfin’ USA,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Fun, Fun, Fun.” ” I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” “California Girls,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Sloop John B,” and so many more.

Similar to the Beach Boys, Surf’s Up is a family band.  Brothers Donny & Danny Goldberg, their father Don Goldberg Sr. and cousin Denny Hardwick have been performing together for 25 years. Their sibling harmonies capture the authentic blend of the Beach Boys with fantastic precision. Not just another tribute band, these veterans truly bring the magical “Sound of Summer” to the stage.

Surf’s Up was one of the first tribute bands to perform at the reopened Historic Hemet Theatre. Since then, the group has made several return appearances, but have not performed at HHT since 2017. Tickets are selling quickly and may be gone before the day of the show. Grab your tickets this week and get ready for “Fun! Fun! Fun!”

This show is the second in Season Three of the “Tribute Mania” Concert Series. The series later this month with tributes to The Eagles (9/28), The Beatles (10/12), Buddy Holly & the Legends of Rock & Roll (10/26), Huey Lewis & the News (11/2), The Blues Brothers (11/23), and Styx (12/7). 

The “Friday Nite Live” concert series also continues this month with tributes to Brooks & Dunn (9/20), Roy Orbison (10/4), Reba McEntire (11/8) and Keith Urban (12/13).

Show tickets $22 presale / $25 day of show. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm.  Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the Ticket Office, (951) 658-5950. 

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