The Ramona Pageant has not been presented in two years due to the COVID-19 virus but is returning with plenty of fanfare and enthusiasm. The Pageant will be presented for two weekends at the Ramona Bowl: April 23-24 and April 30-May 1, with the traditional fourth-grade performance on April 21st.

A special presentation with be a scene from the play will be performed, starring the current Ramona (Kayla Contreras) and Alessandro (Eli Santana).

Dennis Anderson will give a graphic description of the new construction that was recently completed at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre – including the new gift shop and handicap parking/access.

He will also discuss some of the challenges of re-assembling performers after such a long absence and some of the exciting events planned for 2023 when Ramona celebrates one hundred years as the oldest continuing outdoor drama in the history of these United States.

This promises to be a great family event, so bring the kids, uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. A good time is guaranteed for one and all. See you there.

Tickets for Ramona are available at www.ramoabowl.com or through the main office at 951-658-3111.

The Hemet Heritage Foundation owns & operates the Historic Santa Fe Depot and the Hemet Museum, situated at the northwest corner of State Street and Florida Avenue in Hemet. www.thehemetmuseumorg.

DETAILS:

Where: Historic Hemet Theatre, 216 East Florida Avenue, Hemet, CA. 92543

When: March 14th, 2022

Time: 7:00 PM

For further information: (951) 634-4952

RUSTY STRAIT | Senior Reporter

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post THE HISTORIC HEMET THEATRE PRESENTS appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

In 2021, with the COVID shutdown removing the first half of the year, HHT was still able to host 23 events with over 5500 guests and $150k in event revenue.

The year included a series of special events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hemet’s historic theatre. In August, HHT hosted the first joint mixer for both valley Chambers of Commerce where City of Hemet Mayor Karlee Meyer presented the Foundation with a Key to the City.

Then in September, the Press Enterprise announced that HHT has become the number one music venue in the entire Inland Empire!

In October, the Hemet Heritage Foundation hosted a 100th Birthday Party with a presentation on the theatre’s history by CEO Susan Carrier and tours of the vintage movie house. November highlighted the history of the valley with a showing of the film “Mr. Whittier’s Hemet” with a Q&A by the cast and crew. Special concerts featuring Queen Nation and Ronstadt Revival filled the holiday season with music. And New Year’s Eve saw the return of the wild antics of “Rocky Horror New Year’s Eve.”

The final event for the 100-year celebration will be next week at the Foundation’s spectacular “Vintage Vegas” Gala when legendary impressionist Rich Little will take the stage, live from Las Vegas! Festivities will include a “Champagne & Chocolate” dessert bar, open wine and beer bar, fun photo booth, prize wheel, raffle prizes, and a Grand Prize Drawing with a top prize of $1000 cash! Tickets for the Gala are $100 general admission and $200 for VIP seating at the foot of the stage.

Fundraising continues for future renovations including handicap seating and restrooms. Also planned is an expansion at the rear of the building to serve as a green room for performers. Most urgent on the list is the old A/C system. One of the system’s four units has failed and will need to be repaired or replaced before summer arrives. COVID-related grants have provided over $250k in funding, but much more is needed to realize the full potential of Hemet’s vintage movie house.

Meanwhile, this week will be the kick-off for Season One of the 2022 Tribute Mania Concert Series. Saturday’s Tribute to The Bee Gees has been sold out for weeks. John Acosta and the rest of the Bee Gees Gold band are anxiously awaiting their return to the HHT spotlight.

On Monday January 10th, the Hemet Heritage Foundation will once again host their monthly meeting at HHT, featuring a presentation by Scott Hudson, a retired Hemet Firefighter and Safety Officer. Hudson served as a member of the Riverside Multi-Agency FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attack, the team was dispatched to the World Trade Center and served ten days at Ground Zero. His presentation will be, “Eyes of Manhattan on 9/11: The World Trade Center Through the Eyes of a Safety Officer.”

The full roster for Season One of the 2022 Tribute Mania Concert Series includes tributes to The Bee Gees featuring Bee Gees Gold (Jan 8), Prince with Prince Again (Jan 22), Mańa featuring Corazón de Mańa (Feb 5), AC/DC with Bonfire (Feb 19), Marvin Gaye featuring Jackie’s Boy (Mar 5), The Doors with Strange Days (Mar 19), Johnny Cash featuring Neil Morrow (Apr 2) and Van Halen with Fan Halen (Apr 23). 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.

Emily Rand | Contributed

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post NEW YEAR LOOKS BRIGHT FOR HHT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

On Monday, the Hemet Heritage Foundation presented their monthly timecapsule of valley history, this one featuring a presentation by Ken Graff on the history of Ryan Field.

Ken’s presentation revealed many little-known facts about Hemet’s airfield, including the large role the field played in World War II, training hundreds of pilots for the war effort.

Ryan Field, was constructed in 1940 as a World War II training facility for pilots. The U. S. Army Air Corps contracted with Ryan Aeronautical Company to purchase 320 acres of open land in Hemet and built an entire airfield in just a couple of months. In just 4 years, over 14,000 army cadets were trained to fly here.

In later years, the airfield became a popular site for sailplanes and a glider school operated there for 40 years. Then in the late 1950’s, the field was developed as part of Cal-Fire’s facilities to fight wildfires in Southern California. Ken’s book, “Mr. Ryan’s Field,” is available in the Hemet Museum (located in the train station).

Next month, the Hemet Heritage will return to HHT on Monday December 13th at 7 pm to present a Christmas celebration featuring the Hemet Harmonizers Barbershop Quartet.

Then on Friday, the theatre hosted a showing of “Remembering When: The Story of Mr. Whittier’s Hemet.” The film tells the story of William Whittier, who constructed the Lake Hemet Dam which led to the creation of Hemet. Director Daniel Maggio and the film’s cast were on hand to talk about the project to create the film.

The event also featured the local premiere of the directors latest project, “Kesi” about a girl who deals with her mother’s death by expressing her feeling through her stuffed animals. Attendees were also treated to a surprise viewing of a new short video tour of HHT, narrated by Tennant, that the Foundation will use to promote the HHT project.

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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post THE PAST COMES ALIVE AT THE HISTORIC HEMET THEATRE appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

This year the theatre celebrates not just the building’s 100th birthday, but a remarkable transformation into a thriving community arts center that has become one of the best kept secrets in the Inland Empire.

On Monday October 11th at 7 pm, the Hemet Heritage Foundation will host a Birthday Party for the vintage movie house. The free event will feature a presentation on the history of the landmark building and memories from former employees and patrons from decades past. Audience members will have an opportunity to share their own stories.

Following the presentation, patrons will have a rare opportunity to tour nonpublic areas of the facility, including the vintage projection room and second story that will eventually become a Museum of Early Film dedicated to William Martin who built the theatre 100 years ago. Clips from the birthday event will become part of a “video scrapbook” for the museum.

As more people discover the charm of Hemet’s vintage movie house, interest in growing to hear stories of the theatre’s past. Did you know…

– The 100 year old building was not the first movie house in Hemet?

– A former mayor of Hemet worked for at the theatre as a teenager?

– A well-known valley resident broke his tooth during a movie at the theatre?

– Ghosts used to harrass the employees of the theatre? Paranormal groups still visit here with some astonishing results.

Meanwhile, HHT continues to fill the auditorium with loyal fans. Last weekend’s Tribute to Foreigner added yet another sell out to this year’s accomplishments. The band, 4NR, was thrilled to return to HHT. Lead singer Kyle Frost told the crowd that his group plays all over the world, but the absolute best audience is right here in Hemet.

The rest of the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Series, tributes to The Beatles (Oct 16), and Fleetwood Mac (Oct 23) have sold out. The Tribute to Queen (Nov 20) has also sold out, with the Holiday Tribute to Linda Ronstadt (Dec 18) soon to follow.

Don’t forget to come down for Thursday Night Football. Lots of friend, food and fun.. for free!

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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post HISTORIC HEMET THEATRE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Last weekend, Turn the Page was in town to perform their high-energy Tribute to Bob Seger. There may have been fewer audience members, but the cheers from the crowd were as loud as ever.

The dance floor was filled for most of the night, fans cheering and singing along with all of their favorite Bob Seger hits. And the band was clearly having the time of their lives – not only to be back on the road after many months of shutdown, but to have the opportunity to play in their very favorite venue…. in Hemet, California.

Meanwhile the rest of the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Series has already sold out! The upcoming tributes to Foreigner (Oct 2), The Beatles (Oct 16), and Fleetwood Mac (Oct 23) have all sold out faster than usual. And it looks like the Tribute to Queen (Nov 20) will not be far behind.

Last weekend, the new Holiday Tribute to Linda Ronstadt was announced, and before the end of the night, tickets began flying out the door.

The 2022 season is still months away, but anxious fans are clamoring to hear when their favorite band will be back in town. The final lineup and tickets will be available in early November – just in time for the perfect holiday gift!

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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post SOLD OUT SHOWS KEEP COMING AT HHT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Next up in the Tribute Mania Concert Series is the return of the Tribute to Bob Seger, featuring “Turn the Page,” on Saturday September 18th. This band performed at HHT in 2018, but their return in 2020 was one of the events lost during the Covid shutdown. Now they are back, ready to pack the house once again.

There is a signature richness to the music of Bob Seger. Through four decades and 53 million albums, the name alone brings back a flood of memories. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band provided the soundtrack to a generation, especially for those growing up in the Mid-West.

For over 10 years, “Turn the Page” has toured the nation, faithfully recreating all the classic Bob Seger hits. You will feel as though you’ve been transported back to Detroit’s Cobo Hall as you relive “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “Night Moves,” “Against The Wind,” “Hollywood Nights,” “We’ve Got Tonight,” “You’ll Accompany Me,” and “Like a Rock,” — they way they were meant to be experienced….live in concert!

Based in Southern California, “Turn the Page” has appeared on AXTV World’s Greatest Tribute Bands and has sold over 750,000 downloads of their tribute CDs. “Turn the Page” is band members Sam Morrison (vocals, guitars), Bart Robley (drums), Greg Kasparian (bass), Karl Sanger (saxaphone), Walt Thompson (keyboards) and David Kurtz (guitar). 4 shows remain in the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Season: 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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post TRIBUTE TO BOB SEGER BRINGS “OLD TIME ROCK ‘N ROLL” BACK TO HHT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The day will begin with a private ceremony to honor local first responders and military personnel. Dozens of local dignitaries will be in attendance for the honors.

Later that evening, a benefit concert will raise funds for the First Responders Memorial Fund. The concert will feature a Tribute to The Eagles performed by The Long Run from Los Angeles. This group has performed in the valley several times, but this will be their first appearance at Hemet’s vintage movie house.

Fans will be able to close their eyes and travel back in time to the 1970’s with such hits as “Take It Easy.” “Witchy Woman,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Already Gone,” “One of These Nights” and so many more.

Showtime for the Tribute to the Eagles will be 7:00 pm. Tickets are $35 per person, available at the theatre’s Box Office of online at PurplePass.com.

The 9/11 Remembrance events are all the work of Ray Rodriguez and Killed in Action, a nonprofit group that brings awareness to the service of our military and first responders. Raffle baskets at the event will raise funds for RM Veterans Utility Ranch, providing equine therapy to veterans suffering from PTSD.

Meanwhile, 5 shows remain in the 2021 Tribute Mania Concert Season: 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.

Emily Rand | Contributed

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post 9/11 BENEFIT HOSTS TRIBUTE TO THE EAGLES AT HHT appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.