History

Past Shows:

Musical Acts

1st Call Reunion

Aaron Tippin

Aaron Tippin w/ Danni Leigh

Alison Krauss & Union Station**

Alison Kauss & Union Station Feat: Jerry Douglas*

Alison Krauss & Union Station w/ Peter Rowan

Asleep at the Wheelw/ Louie Ortega & The Wild Juans

Asleep at the Wheel: Wendell Miller

The Austin Lounge Lizards

The Avett Brothers w/ Bobby Grunwald

The Avett Brothers w/ The Everybodyfields

The Avett Brothers w/ Magnolia Electric Co.

Bella Fleck

Bella Fleck & The Flecktones**

Bella Fleck's Bluegrass Session w/ Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Mark Schatz & Brian Sutton

Blackhawkw/ Chris Curtice

Blood Sweat and Tears w/ David Clayton Thomas

Bob Vaughn

Brad Paisley*

Brian Davis with JJ Brown & Gregor Ross

Brooks & Dunn

Bryan Adams

Butch Hancock

Centro de Folklor

Charlie Daniels Band**

Charlie Daniels Band w/ Modern Vibe

Charlie Musselwhite

Chase Bryant

Chris Cagle w/ The Nate Ryan Band

Christian Batista and Rachel Ann Go

Christian Edition*

Chris LeDoux***

Chris LeDoux, Bunkhouse Band & Smokin Armadillos: The Barn Burner

Chris Thile & Mike Marshall

Christopher Cross

Chris Young w/ Daniel Dentro

Chuck Mangione

Clint Black w/ by Laura Bryna

Collin Raye****

Confederate Railroad*

Craig Morgan w/  Slick Billy

Dan Seals**

Darryl Worley*

Dave Mason

David Allan Coe w/ Wilie D.

David Frizzell /w Bobby Seals

The David Grisman Bluegrass Experience**

David Grisman Quintet

David & The Giants w/ Jennifer Brantley

Delbert McClinton

Dennis Agajanian

The Derailers w/ Poor Man's Poison

Dessert Rose Band w/ Mary Chapin Carpenter

Diamond Rio

Diana Krall

Dierks Bently

Dixie Chicks*

Don Edwards

Don McLean

Don Walser

Don Williams w/ Wendell Miller

Don Williams w/ Mike Reed

Doug Stone****

Doug Stone w/ Jack Clayton

The Drifters

Dwight Yoakam*

Easton Corbin

Eddie Hill

Eddie Raven

Exile

Four Play w/ Steve Oliver

Gilmour Floyd

Glen Campbell

Glenn Miller Orchestra

George Jones***

George Strait***

George Thorogood & The Destroyers w/ A. C. Myles

Glen Yarbrough

Gordon Lightfoot***

The Grascals w/ Nathan McEuen

Hal Ketchum

Hot Club of Cowtown* w/ Tim Mattos

In The Mood

Jackson Browne***

Jaimy O'Neal w/ Christy Sutherland

James Cotton

Jamey Johnson w/ Randy Houser

Jason Aldean w/ Modern Vibe

Jo Dee Messina

Joe Diffie*****

Joe Stampley

John Anderson

John Anderson w/ Dixie Chicks**

John Berry***

John Conlee

John Conlee w/ Ace High*

John Denver

John Hyatt

John McEuen

John McEuen & Sons w/ Poor Man's Poison

John McEuen & String Wizards*

John McEuen & String Wizards w/ Jimmy Ibbotson & The Del McCoury Band

John McEuen & String Wizards w/ Jimmy Ibbotson, Laurie Lewis & Sandip Burman

John McEuen & String Wizards w/ Kathy Kallick, Chris Hillman, Peter Rowan, Tom Bell & Kenny Sultan

John McEuen & String Wizards w/ Vassar Clements, Leon Russel & The Laurel Canyon

John McEuen & String Wizards w/ The Waybacks and Hot Club of Cowtown

John Prine

John Prine w/ Jack Elliott

John Prine w/ Mary Gauthier

John Prine w/ Todd Snyder

Johnny Cash***

James Garner

Joni Morris' Tribute to Patsy Cline

Josh Gracin w/ Nate Pierce

Josh Turner

Jose Feliciano**

Junior Brown**

Harry Mancini

Kenny Rogers

Kim Wilson

Kings Symphony Orchestra**

Kings Symphony Orchestra w/ California Opera Association

Larry Stewart

LeAnn Rimes w/ Gloriana

Lee Ann Womack w/ Randy Deaver & Crossfire

Lee Greenwood w/ Chris Curtis

LeeRoy Parnell*

Leftover Salmon

Lonestarw/ The Kinleys

Lorrie Morgan w/ Chris Curtice

Luke Torres & The Dead Ringer Band, Darren Carter, Toogie, Mowtown & More

Lyle Lovett

Lyle Lovett & His Large Band

The Magnificent Pipes of Hanford, w/ Jim Spaun on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Mark Chesnutt***

Mark Chesnutt, David Lee Murphy & Gary Allan

Mark Chesnutt, Gary Allan, Chely Wright & Keith Harling

Mark Collie*

Mark Wills

Marshal Tucker Band

Martina McBride

Marty Stuart***

Marty Stuart w/ Bunkhouse Band

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Matt Brouwer

The Mavericks

Mavericks w/ Junior Brown

McBride & The Ride

Mel Tillis

Merle Haggard & The Fabulous Superlatives

Merle Haggard & The Strangers***

Merle Haggard & The Strangers w/ Branded Heart

Merle Haggard & The Strangers w/ Tim Mattos

Metalachi

Midnight Wine and Whiskey Row

Michael Martin Murphy

Michael Martin Murphy w/ Sourdough Slim

Miranda Lambert

Miss Joey Albert

Neal McCoy*****

Nickle Creek****

Nickle Creek w/ Derek Hughes

Nickle Creek w/ Kathleen Edwards

The Oak Ridge Boys***

Pam Tillis****

Parmalee

Pat Benatar

Pat Travers

Patty Loveless

Patty Loveless w/ Restless Heart

Paul Roberts, British Organist

Pete Yorn

Peter Rowan

Phil Vassar w/ Jennifer Hanson

Phillip Phillips

Pink Martini

Poor Man's Poison w/ Motel Drive & Jason Love

Radney Foster

Ray Price**

Ray Price w/ Wendell Miller

Rachel Alejandro & Geneva Cruz

Randy Houser

Randy Sharp

Randy Sharp & Restless Heart

Randy Sharp & Exile

Restless Heart

Rick Derringer*

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder*

Ricky Van Shelton w/ Modern Vibe

Riders in the Sky**********

Riders in the Sky w/ Belinda Gail

Riders in the Sky w/ Chelsea Williams

Riders in the Sky w/ Jerry Hall & Trick Shot

Riders in the Sky w/ Sourdough Slim*

Riders in the Sky & Hot Club of Cowtown

Rippingtons

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Rob Crosby

Robert Earl Keen*

Robert Earl Keen w/ Hayes Carll

Ron Thompson

Roy Clark

Russian Money

Sammy Kershaw*

Sara Evans w/ Chris Curtice

Sandi Patty*

Seth Ennis

Shenandoah

Sheryn Regis w/ Kit Kat, Ramond Manalo & Makisig

Sons of the San Joaquin

Sons of the San Joaquin w/ Pat the Hat

Steve Wariner*

Steve Wariner w/ Slim Chance

Suzy Bogguss & Hal Ketchum

Straight No Chaser

Tanya Tucker & Mark Collie

Tempest & Wicked Tinkers**

Terra Bella

Terri Clark*

Tish Hinojosa

Toby Keith

Tommy Castro & Coco Montoya

The Tommy Castro Band, Kenny Neil & Magic Dick

Tony Oliveira, Bobby Seals

Tony Rice & Peter Rowan Quartet

Trace Adkins**

Tracy Byrd*

Tracy Byrd w/ Brandon Silveira

Tracy Byrd w/ Randy Deaver & Crossfire

Tracy Lawrence

Travis Tritt

Trent Harmon

Trisha Yearwood

Ty Herndon*

Ty Herndon & Lee Roy Parnell

Tyler Farr

Vince Gill***

Vince Gill & Band

Vince Gill & Band w/ Gary Mule Deer

Wade Hayes

Waylon Jennings**

William Michael Morgan

Willie Nelson & Family*

Wynonna

Zzah w/ Mia Sharp

Dances and Plays

A Christmas Carol

Anne Frank (Live Play for Children)

Beauty and the Beast*

Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats*

Cinderella

Ellis Island

Little Bear & The Enchanted Forest

Moscow Ballet's Great Russia Nutcracker****

The Nutcracker (Presented by Bethel Ballet Academy)*

Tom Sawyer

Wizard of Oz (Live Play)*

Comedic Acts

Anjelah Johnson

Bill Cosby

Bill Engvall

Bill Engvall w/ Pat the Hat

Bob Hope

Brian Reagan*

Brian Reagan w/ Dennis Regan

Carlos Mencia

Gabriel Iglesias*

Greg Hahn

George Lopez******

Jeff Dunham*

Jeff Garcia

Kathy Griffen**

Larry the Cable Guy

Lilly Tomlin

Red Skelton

Rodney Carrington**

Ron White

Ron White w/ Ray Raymundo

A small history of early theatre palaces in the United States which includes the Historic Hanford Fox Theatre, one of the few remaining still in operation and fully restored to its 1929 elegance.

No buildings in America have been, collectively, as audaciously romantic, blatantly derivative, and wonderfully original as the movie palaces. The majority of these palaces were built during the years between World War I and the Great Depression. Nationwide, even the smallest towns could boast regally outfitted movie houses. The theaters ranged in style from bewilderingly eclectic to near-perfect replicas of the finest royal palaces of Europe and the Orient. The patrons were not always aware of the decorations' origins, but they flocked to see whatever spectacular arrangements the palaces architects dreamed up.

Moviegoers in the 30's and 40's were able to witness happenings from all over the world. Lacking the immediacy of television and radio in it's infancy, the significance of the movie palace is difficult to appreciate. More than just the primary source of entertainment, the theaters were the local gathering spots, the centers of downtown night life. Integrating all classes and levels of society. The movies provided a release for the increasing pressures of a world growing more hectic by the day. A ticket to a show was a passport to lives and cultures otherwise beyond reach. No form of entertainment had ever been as accessible or as popular.

The opening of a new movie theatre in town was cause for public celebration, with all the hoopla normally reserved for a major movie premiere.

Even in Hanford, front page coverage of the December 1929 Grand Opening of The Fox dominated the Christmas holiday news. Built by William Fox of Fox Theaters in 1929, and one of 900+ across the United States, the Hanford Fox Theatre is designed as an atmospheric theatre. This type of theatre, as opposed to the ornate or art deco style, is designed to create the illusion of being located in a romantic far-off place. The locale is a Spanish courtyard, complete with twinkling stars and crescent moon in a dark night sky. There are tile covered buildings with lighted windows, balconies and turrets, silhouetted and backlighted by the glow of a village beyond. In the shadows rise mountains covered with cypress and palm trees. Greco-Roman columns support the proscenium. Further back are Mediteranian and Spanish renaissance influences, but the over all decor is Mission Revival. Very eclectic, yet appropriate.

Each theatre was required to have a fire-proof screen to separate backstage from the audience. The architects designed them to be painted with a large mural incorporating the theme of the auditorium. The Hanford Theatre's screen depicts a Spanish village with church bell tower, cypress trees, and terra cotta roofed buildings. It is a magnificent oil painting filling the entire stage opening.

The designers of the early theatres included a full stage, dressing rooms, flyand orchestra pit in their plans, because vaudeville was still very much in vogue and movies had not dominated the entertainment scene. Traveling troupes crises-crossed the United States exhibiting their acts for an entertainment starved nation. Then, the genius of the motion picture pioneers developed a frame-lined celluloid film and put pictures into motion. William Fox himself, viewed the moving picture flicks as a passing fad. But the publics interest was caught and their fascination grew. Vaudeville soon shared the stage with the movie screen. Acts such as Laurel and Hardy bowed to curtain calls as they visited the theatres during a premiere of their latest film. A new industry developed rapidly, as people swarmed into the theatres.

The orchestra pits were used to provide space for full orchestras, and later it housed a pipe organ console. The Hanford Fox had these facilities and pipe organ music was a normal form of music appreciation for the audience to enjoy during silent films or intermission music. Orchestra music was used when live stage events occurred.

Just as movies supplanted vaudeville in popularity after World War I, television in everyone's living room reduced box office admissions dramatically after World War II. To cope economically, the movie houses and palaces were torn down, or altered for other uses. Some were twinned or triplexed (the interiors converted to several theatres), thus destroying the priceless architectural designs. This was done to be more competitive with the trend toward multi-screen complexes; the more screens, the better able to contract new films, and the more choice for the public. Smaller movie houses resulted in poor design, smaller screens, and poor sound.

There are some happy endings or more precisely, new beginnings to the story. Many of the old palaces have been reincarnated as homes for a variety of operations. Taking full advantages of the second chance, the proprietors of the restored theatres have thrown open the doors once again to amaze a new generation of spectators and to stir the memories of those who can still recall a time when movies cost a quarter and the theatres alone were worth the price of admission.

54 years after its Grand Opening, tired and about to be divided into shoe box and XXX theatres, this building was purchased by historic preservationist J. Daniel Humason in 1979. Together with his family they reopened the theatre for movies in 1982, soon after the Theatre hosted its first live concert since the old days. The Hanford Fox Theatre awoke from her slumber and entertained once again. The stage continues to exhibit live entertainers. Silent films and movies are still shown during special times, benefits, and film festivals.

The restored 1929 Historic Hanford Fox Theatre, with its 889 seats downstairs, is the largest sloped-floor auditorium in Kings County. The balcony, originally with 350 seats, now has 142 plush rocking chairs and snacks, soft drinks, beer & wine (ages 21 and over) are served. It is appropriately named the Cabaret.

Operating a privately owned theater is a labor of love, time and personal energy. Restoration is an ongoing process, and we enjoy sharing the experiences with others. In order for this theatre to pay its way we feel that commercialism is the servant of preservation, not the other way around. We rent the theatre to private parties, schools, churches, hospitals, charities, business, industrial groups, unions, and governmental organizations alike. We have even been host to weddings in the picturesque auditorium. We are making progress, however we still have a way to go and need the support and concern of many.

The Fox has had quite a colorful background, steeped in American history. It has made a full circle from the 20's vaudeville silent film, early talkiesthroughout the prime years when movies were the center of entertainment. It has survived the transition of TV and the subsequent phase of multi-screensor other adaptive uses. An architectural treasure designed for multiple uses, hosting community and cultural events. Much more can be said about this Fox Theatre, which we leave for you to discover.

We hope you take the time to visit and attend performances and movies at the Historic Hanford Fox Theatre. We welcome your comments ideas and suggestions. Additionally, we look forward to providing you, the guest of the theatre with quality entertainment. Above all, we look forward to seeing and serving you at the Theatre!

* Represents multiple dates by that artist. ex: Artist** means Artist performed here on 3 separate dates