By Chris Walker
The Emporia Gazette

Monday Conversation is a question-and-answer interview with a local person. This week’s interview is with Emporia Granada Theatre executive director Jessica Buchholz.

Q The theater’s one-year anniversary celebration is Thursday. What do you have planned?

A On the night of the event we have a couple of things happening. When you purchase a raffle ticket you get admission into our casual reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. We will have appetizers, hot apple cider from the Granada Coffee Co., treats from the Sweet Granada and a cash bar. We will have some Granada memorabilia out for everyone and a slide show and pictures about what has been going on over the last year. It is a big open house for everyone. It will be casual.

At 7 p.m. we will raffle off the Chevy and some other prizes and then at 7:15 p.m. we will be showing the movie “Grease.” If someone just wants to purchase a movie ticket they can do that for $4.

Q How has the first year of operation gone for the Granada?

A The first year has been quite successful. The community has responded very well to the Granada Theatre being open. We have had a variety of events, from Movie Night to the arts council events and lots of private events from weddings, receptions and business meetings.

Q Is the Granada breaking even financially or are you looking for some extra funding?

A We are always looking for volunteers and donors but the first year of operation has gone close to what they originally predicted. There have been a lot of costs associated with opening the new facility and getting it up and running. What we have done this last year will give us a good forecast for what we need to do this next year. It has been a great learning experience for everybody.

Q What are your goals for this year?

A We want to continue to be busy booking events, both public and private. We are excited to be working with the Emporia Arts Council since they will be next door. We want to break into new markets like having people from out of town book events and bring more business to downtown.

Q What are some of the big events that you already have lined up for next year?

A We will have a New Year’s Gala on New Year’s Eve. We will kick off the year with a bridal show on Jan. 3 and that will be the first bridal show in Kansas. The movies have been successful, so we will continue that. Plus, we are working on a couple more events for the public.

Q How does the Granada compare to other historic theaters around the state?

A Our theater stands out because it is a multiuse facility. We can do big public events, weddings and business retreats.

Q How many weddings have you had this year?

A I don’t know the total count but right now we have one almost every weekend and we are already starting to book those weddings through 2010. There are some months that you can’t get a Saturday already.

Q How are the movies going?

A We started showing more than one movie a month because of requests. So we have classic movies the first and third Thursday of every month. We also started a new movie series called Encore Movie night which is the fourth Wednesday of the month. Encore movies are from the ’80s, ’90s and now.

Q How does your Friends of the Granada program work?

A People can make a donation of any size or pledge an amount over time. People who become Friends will receive our monthly and quarterly newsletters. We will make sure they are always informed of the events that are going on.

F If you would like more information on the Granada, call Buchholz at 342-3342.

http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2009/oct/12/granada_celebrate_anniversary/