WINDBER — Two 1960s teen idols are coming to Johnstown’s Cambria County War Memorial Arena to help support a Windber icon.
Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell will headline the Arcadia Theater’s 10th Anniversary Gala at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 in the War Memorial.
Tickets are $35 for any arena seat. They go on sale Sept. 2 at the War Memorial box office.
Funds from the gala will help secure Arcadia’s future, board Chairman Frank Cunsolo said during Wednesday’s announcement in the Windber theater.
“We are trying to raise money for an endowment that will keep the Arcadia alive for generations to come,” Cunsolo said.
Since it reopened in 1998, the Arcadia has hosted the likes of The Lettermen, Three Irish Tenors, Charo and John Davidson, Joyce Murtha said Wednesday. She and her husband, U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, are honorary co-chairs of the anniversary gala.
“I’m just amazed they are getting that caliber of entertainment,” Joyce Murtha said.
“Those are all great people.”
The historic theater not only serves as an entertainment outlet, it is an economic development tool for the community, said F. Nicholas Jacobs, anniversary gala chairman and president and chief executive officer of Windber Medical Center.
“It has been an interesting journey over the last 10 years,” Jacobs said at the Arcadia.
“It has become almost hard to think about Windber without this theater.”
Organizers hope to raise several hundred thousand dollars to be invested, with interest earnings used to support future shows and renovations.
“You can’t operate a theater this size with ticket sales alone,” Cunsolo said.
The Arcadia’s anniversary concert is being held at the War Memorial in order to accommodate the expected crowd.
“We have limited seating (at the Arcadia) ,” Cunsolo said. “A show of this caliber requires a larger venue.”
Avalon, 68, became a superstar in the late ’50s and early ’60s as a boyish pop singer, recording hits like “Venus” and “Why.” He went on to a movie career, where he is best-known for teen beach movies, often starring with Annette Funicello. Films include “Beach Party,” “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini,” “Beach Blanket Bingo” and “Bikini Beach.”
Rydell, 66, first hit the charts in 1959 with “Kissin’ Time” and “We Got Love.” His biggest hit came the next year with “Wild One.”
Patrons and corporate sponsors will have an opportunity to meet the stars during a post-concert celebration at the Pasquerilla Conference Center.
The patrons’ $125 package includes floor seats in the War Memorial and admission to the post-concert gala.
If you go
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 25.
Where: Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Tickets: $35, go on sale Sept. 2 at the War Memorial box office.
More information: 467-9070.
Local News
1960s stars headline Arcadia Theater gala
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
