The Sun Theater in Grand Ledge has undergone an internal and external makeover.
“We’ve really made a big change in terms of the things that we’re doing now in addition to movies,” says Chuck Pantera, owner of the Sun Theater. “We’ve has some concerts, a battle of the bands and many music shows.”
The Pantera family owned the theater from 1989 to 1999. In 1999 they sold it to another family who then made some major renovations including putting in new seats and updating the screen and sound system.
In September 2008, the Panteras took the theater over again and decided to move beyond movies and create more of a community gathering space.
Pantera’s daughter, Emily Pantera, is working with local community college and high school students to create a short film festival.
“We wanted to get people back into the theater to watch their own works,” she says.
High schools from around the state have also showed interest in these film festivals, which Emily hopes will become a staple at the theater. Emily says she’ll talk to any group who has an idea for theater. The Pantera’s hope to update the theater’s façade in the upcoming years.
Feb. 22, the Sun Theater will host Echoes of Pink Floyd, a Pink Floyd tribute band that will play live music while the Wizard of Oz plays on the Sun Theater’s screen.
Source: Chuck Pantera, Sun Theater
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
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