by Debbi | Jun 20, 2016 | Ottawa
Dave celebrated Father’s Day with a special treat: a screening of “Finding Dory,” Disney-Pixar’s sequel to the super-popular movie “Finding Nemo.”
(Did it really take 13 years for them to make a sequel to that movie?!)
If you’ve ever set foot in the Sandbar, you know we love fish. And we love fish movies. “Finding Dory” was a fun movie, and we highly recommend it.
Here’s the best part: you can get free tickets to see it at the world’s oldest operating cinema in Ottawa!
Spend $20 at the Sandbar Sub Shop in downtown Lawrence this from now through June 25, and you’ll get two movie and museum passes. FOR FREE. It’s just a short drive south to Ottawa, and you’ll be supporting a wonderful family-owned business.
Also, subs are half-price after 5 p.m. this summer, so bring the whole family or a bunch of friends in for dinner!
by Debbi | Oct 8, 2015 | Events
One of our favorite events is back this year—the infamous Rocky Horror Picture Show party bus!
We started this tradition in 2009, after Peach renovated the movie theater in Ottawa and we had a place to watch the show, yell as much as we wanted and throw things. And get up and dance in the middle of the movie. (We won’t talk about the time that couple tried to ‘shush’ us during the movie.)
The party bus went on hiatus the past couple of years, but this year we’re excited to bring it back.
Here’s the drill: you MUST dress in costume. That’s rule #1, and the most important rule.
Everyone meets at the Sandbar around 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. FYI, that’s also Homecoming weekend for KU, and a pep rally will be happening on our block that night. It’s also Final Fridays, so downtown Lawrence will be BUSY. Plan accordingly and carpool if possible.
The bus leaves the Sandbar promptly at 9 p.m. and heads south to Ottawa. The bus ride is FUN. Some refreshments will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own for the bus.
Once we get to the Plaza Cinema in Ottawa—the oldest operating cinema in the world, in case you didn’t know—you’ll enjoy a tour of the Movie Memorabilia Museum, followed by the main event—the Rocky Horror Picture Show!
After the movie is over, we’ll load the bus back up and head back to Lawrence.
All this for just $36! Sign up in advance at the Sandbar to save your spot.
And in case you need ideas for costumes, check out some of the stories and pictures from past years’ trips, or use our good friend Google to find something. But remember: costumes are required!
ICYMI, this year is the 40th anniversary of Rocky Horror Picture Show. The cast recently reunited on The Today Show. Check out the video here.
by Debbi | May 2, 2014 | Events
It’s history in the making!
We’ve talked before about Peach’s movie theater venture in Ottawa, and how it’s presumed to be the oldest operating theater in America and possibly the world. She’s been working hard on the latest incarnation of the business– the Plaza Movie Memorabilia Museum.
The grand opening of the new museum is Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. The exhibit includes a collection of props from movies like King Kong, Hunger Games, Three Musketeers and more.
Lawrence’s resident movie star Keith Loneker has also loaned some items to the museum, and he’ll be at the opening event.
There’s a limited number of tickets available, so get yours now! Call the Plaza at 785.242.5555 to reserve your spot.
We’re excited to check out the new museum! The Plaza is really a cool old movie theater, the kind you don’t see around much anymore. Sandbar friends have had many great times there, including our Rocky Horror Picture Show bus trips at Halloween and a “staff retreat” when we all carpooled down there one afternoon to watch a movie (and someone got a speeding ticket).
by Debbi | Dec 10, 2013 | Good Things
A couple months ago, we shared some news about Peach’s latest project.
She discovered evidence that the Plaza Grill and Cinema might be the oldest continuous-operating theater in the world, and in true Peach fashion, came up with a grand idea: to create an interactive historical experience for all to enjoy the magic of cinema.
The Kickstarter campaign to raise money to fund the project didn’t meet its goal, but that’s certainly not stopping the project.
Fundraising is in full swing, and the Plaza Cinemagic Experience, as it is now known, will be transformed by summer 2014.
The project has received a lot of press, too:
And, the project got a mention in the state blurbs section of USA Today, too!
You can help.
Donations can be made by mail or online, and there are a variety of rewards for donors. Or, share your memories of the old theater on the website. Click here to learn more about the entire project.
We’re excited to see Peach’s latest great idea unfold!
by Debbi | Oct 15, 2013 | Good Things
I have been seriously bad about keeping this blog up. Once upon a time, there were four or five new posts each week. When I logged in to write this, I realized there were three posts for the entire month of September. Believe me, there’s more going on at the Sandbar than that; I’m just not there to see it these days.
But, here’s something awesome for you.
If you’ve followed the Sandbar for any length of time– or if you really know the owners like you insist to the doorguy– then you know Peach, our founder, also owns the Plaza Grill & Cinema, a movie theater slash bar and grill down the road in Ottawa.
But did you know this: she recently uncovered evidence of the theater showing movies all the way back in 1905, making it a candidate for the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operating theater in America.
And now, there’s a plan to convert the theater into an interactive historical experience so that people can enjoy the magic of the cinema in the middle of America.
How can you help? Well, there’s a Kickstarter project taking place right now. If you’re not familiar with Kickstarter, it’s a crowdsourced funding platform that brings project creators together with backers to make things happen.
You can donate as little as a buck or as much as you want to this project– but unless the project is fully funded, you won’t spend a dime.
The goal of this project is to raise $45,000. The project has three stages that are described here, and it will add jobs as well as economic growth to the community of Ottawa.
What are you waiting for?! Go check it out here, and make a donation if you can.
Preserve the Plaza: Oldest Operating Theater in America
