The Clova Theatre is going to run a cult classic on its last Friday night at 9:30 p.m.芒藛鈥� the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Fitting, due to the cult classic nature of the theatre itself.
Opened in 1947 with the movie, Dead Reckoning, the independently-run Clova has gone through a number of lives in downtown Cloverdale.
Loyal visitors to the theatre are sad to lose the single-screen throw-back cinema, including 91原创 resident Alyssa Nielsen, a member of ABRA Cadabra, the Abba tribute band and owner of As You Wish Princess Parties.
芒鈧揑芒鈧劉m really sad that we芒鈧劉re losing it,芒鈧� said Nielsen of the theatre. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s been a gift.芒鈧�
Crossridge Church announced its ownership of the Clova芒鈧劉s building earlier this year and lead pastor Lee Francois noted the intention is to use the space as a community venue when not in use for church events.
The Clova has shared the building with Crossridge Church for the past three years.
Clova owner and operator Craig Burghardt demonstrated a commitment to his business and his patrons, according to Nielsen.
芒鈧揈very time you got a ticket at the Clova, you got a ballot to get free movies for a year at the Clova,芒鈧� she said of some of the unique ways the theatre captured her heart.
芒鈧揙nce I had kids, I started bringing them to the Clova and my daughter said, as I was explaining this [the closure] to her, 芒鈧淚芒鈧劉m sad the Clova芒鈧劉s closing Mommy芒鈧劉, she芒鈧劉s eight.芒鈧�
Nelson noted that even at age eight and 11, her children understood the value of the unique cinema.
Burghardt ran the theatre for 17 years, but struggled for the past six to secure a long-term lease agreement with the owners. Attempts to raise money for a digital projector upgrade were unsuccessful.
芒鈧揑 did just bring them [my kids to the Clova] recently,芒鈧� Nielsen said. 芒鈧揟he movie was sold out, and Craig was giving out free popcorn certificates to everyone who couldn芒鈧劉t get in. I don芒鈧劉t remember a multiplex ever doing that. It was just so classy.芒鈧�
Nielsen also recalls a long ago time before the seats at the Clova were replaced.
芒鈧揑 remember it was standard issue to bring your own pillow,芒鈧� she said.
Reminiscing aside, and despite her sadness to see the Clova close, Nielsen is excited to be part of the ABRA Cadabra show for the closing tribute to the theatre this weekend.
芒鈧揑 feel kind of honoured that I get to do it,芒鈧� she noted. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s an all ages show, so it芒鈧劉s nice that everyone gets to enjoy it. There芒鈧劉s no question people will be up dancing in the aisles. It芒鈧劉s a really dynamic show.芒鈧�
The final weekend events begin with the Rocky Horror Picture Show at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, ABRA Cadabra at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and a number of activities on Sunday including a scavenger hunt and auction.
The last movie to be shown at the Clova will follow the auction on Sunday and will be free for everyone who wants to attend. In full-circle fashion, it will be Dead Reckoning, 67 years after it opened the iconic theatre.
芒鈧�� With files from Surrey Now
