By Maribeth Vaughn | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — Catch a classic movie in a historic theater, in a renewed effort to bring more people into the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts in downtown Greenfield.
The center is celebrating 80 years this fall. Originally one of three movie theaters in the downtown district, the Ricks is the only one that remains.
But movies are just the tip of the iceberg: the center hosts a number of community events, ranging from children’s and adult theater; to tribute artists and local bands; to dance performances.
With new seats, a new screen and lights in recent years, the board that runs the nonprofit theater now hopes free movies will be just the ticket to spread the word on what the center has to offer.
“We want to get it back to playing movies again, and now we’ve finally got the gear — now we just need to get people in the door,” said Greg Carwein, president of the board for the Ricks. “We felt like one of the best ways was to have family-friendly movies to come in here and explore it again. People come in and say, ‘I haven’t been here for 25 years.’ Now is the perfect time to come in and bring your families.”
The venue at 122 W. Main St. was originally...