The Historic Roxy Theatre turns 75 years old Sept. 15, and it’s now shining brighter thanks to a grant from the Franklin County Community Development Commission (FCCDC) awarded to the Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council, Inc. The FCAHC manages the Roxy, and I’m the council president. The $5,000 grant was used toward the repair of the Roxy Theatre marquee lights.

Following a TVA Energy Audit of the Roxy, it was recommended that the marquee lighting should be replaced with LED bulbs. The FCAHC submitted a grant application to the FCCDC requesting assistance with this project. The FCAHC received notification that a $5,000 grant had been approved June 21, 2024.  The Arts Council moved quickly to get this project completed by the Aug. 31 deadline.

For the past 75 years, this historic icon has been running on incandescent bulbs. The Arts Council is most appreciative for this grant which made it possible to replace the incandescent bulbs with LEDs. The benefits of the marquee project are cheaper energy costs and brighter lighting for the Roxy and downtown.

Events for the Roxy’s 75^th Diamond Jubilee will begin Oct. 12 from 4-8 p.m. in downtown Russellville with the 2^nd Annual Cruise-In at the Historic Roxy Theatre. There will be music, concessions, door prizes, cash giveaways, beautiful antique cars and the Roxy’s first movie, “My Dear Secretary,” released in 1948. It will be shown inside the Roxy at 5 p.m. This classic film features Laraine Day, Stephanie ‘Steve’ Gaylord, Kirk Douglas, Owen Waterbury, Keenan Wynn, Ronnie Hastings, Helen Walker and Rudy Vallee.

Entry fee per car is $20. The closing feature after 8 p.m. is “Cruise the Strip,” like they did back in the “ol’ days.” Tim Vandiver is chairman of this event.

October 6: Joe M. Turner, magician, mentalist and motivational speaker, will be making his debut at the Historic Roxy Theatre for a Sunday matinee. This show will feature some of his favorite magical experiences. While it’s designed for teens, adults and senior,s it will be appropriate for all families to attend together. Tickets are $20, and children under six get in for $15.

A native of Mississippi and a Mississippi State graduate, Turner is recognized within the magic industry as a columnist for Genii magazine and is based in both Memphis, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga.  Because of his work as a magic consultant, writer and director for theatre, film and cause-related promotional projects on the national scale, Joe is sometimes called “America’s Corporate Conjuror.” He has entertained prominent elected officials, sports figures, corporate leaders and other celebrities. He has been featured in numerous television, radio and print appearances, including Good Morning America, Nightline, a professional corporate magician for the Coca-Cola Company and many more.

Turner served as the 2015-2016 international president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the largest magic industry association with approximately 10,000 members in 88 countries. He is a Life Member, as well as a member of the National Speakers Association, the Academy of Magical Arts at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, the Society of American Magicians (Life Member), The Magic Circle in London and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. He is also a popular speaker, onscreen and onstage talent, a professional pianist, an accomplished vocalist, composer and playwright. He and his wife have two adult children, a daughter and a son.

Susie Hovater Malone is the president of the Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council.