The Man Who Invented Christmas to Play on December 10th

 

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Tami Mayhugh 706.244-0039

Date: 11/30/2020

RE: Christmas Movie Series

TOCCOA, GA –Week two of our Christmas Movie Series will keep the holiday cheer going with The Man Who Invented Christmas, at the Historic Ritz Theatre on Thursday, December 10^th at 10:00am and 7:00pm.

In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in "A Christmas Carol," forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.

Because of social distancing guidelines each show time will be limited to the first 150 guests. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the theatre and face masks are encouraged. The theatre will be cleaned and disinfected between each showing.

As always, tickets and concessions are just $1 each and we are cash only. If you have any questions please contact Ritz Theatre General Manager Tami Mayhugh at 706-244-0039 or tmayhugh@cityoftocccoa.com.

November Open Mic Monday Winner Announced

 

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Tami Mayhugh, 706.244.0039

Date: November 20, 2020

RE: Historic Ritz Theatre selects November Open Mic Monday Winner

 Toccoa, GA – Konner Clark of Martin, Georgia walked away as our third Open Mic Monday winner on Monday, November 16^th at the Historic Ritz Theatre.

This month’s musical category was Country. Clark wowed the audience and the judges by performing Tim McGraw’s My Best Friend and an original song titled, Rebel Man. Clark wants to pursue a career in music and plays guitar, drums, piano, and harmonica.

Sign up now for the Wild Card competition set for Monday, December 21^st at 7pm. Our last Open Mic will allow any genre of music. Interested performers can sign up by email at ritztheatretoccoa@gmail.com or at the Historic Ritz Theatre on the evening of the show on a first-come, first-up basis starting at 6pm.

Winners from each of the monthly competitions will receive $50 and a paid gig at the summer 2020 Ida Cox Music Festival. Open Mic Monday is a free event to the contestants and to the public. For more information about Open Mic Monday, contact Tami Mayhugh, General Manager, Historic Ritz Theatre at 706.244.0039.

                                                                     

 

                                                     

                                                                      

                                                    

A Christmas Story to Show at the Ritz

 

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Tami Mayhugh 706.244-0039

Date: 11/20/2020

RE: Christmas Movie Series

TOCCOA, GA,  November 20, 2020 – One of the most iconic holiday movies of all time, A Christmas Story, will kick off our Christmas Movie Series on Thursday, December 3^rd with a 10am & 7pm showing at the Historic Ritz Theatre.

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact. The movie is rated PG with a run-time of 1hr 34 minutes.

Because of social distancing guidelines, each show time will be limited to the first 150 guests. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the theatre and face masks are encouraged. The theatre will be cleaned and disinfected between each showing.

As always, tickets and concessions are just $1 each and we are cash only. If you have any questions please contact Ritz Theatre General Manager Tami Mayhugh at 706-244-0039 or tmayhugh@cityoftocccoa.com.

ChristmasFest Scheduled for December 4th

Press Release 

Release: Immediate

Date: 11/16/20

Contact: Sharon Crosby

Re: Schedule for Christmas Fest 2020

 

 

Christmas Fest 2020

Toccoa, GA – The Toccoa Christmas Fest has become a popular event to help start the Christmas season in Northeast Georgia. This year it will be held on Dec. 4 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. There are several events for everyone to enjoy during the evening.

 

The Lighting of the Tree will be at 6:00 pm on Sage St with Vice Mayor Evan Hellinga counting down to the lighting of the tree and the entire Courthouse Wonderland. The Toccoa Carolers will be there to start off the evening with seasonal songs performed be local churches from 6:00 – 7:00. Then at 7:00, the popular Tugaloo Holler will perform Christmas bluegrass music until 9:00.

Children will be delighted to visit with Santa at the Toy Shop and make crafts at the Elves’ Workshop. In remembrance of the first Christmas, there will be a live nativity with animals for the children to pet. Two carriages and a Polar Express train will take attendees around the beautifully lit downtown.

Lining the streets will be brightly decorated trees in front of many of the businesses.  As part of the Festival of Trees, people can vote for their favorite tree and their favorite non-profit for $1. All proceeds will go to the non-profit that the tree represents, and the tree/nonprofit with the most votes will receive the grand prize of $500.

Also that night, there will be food trucks and booths as well as a Christmas Sage Market with many different kinds of gifts items. The Market will be located in the parking lot on Tugalo St and Sage St.

Strolling through the streets and in the stores will be a quartet of Victorian Carolers from 1^st Presbyterian Church adding to the beauty of the evening.

For the adventurous, Toccoa on Ice will provide an opportunity to try out ice skating. The fee is $5 per person.  The ice skating rink is on Tugalo St.

To cap off the evening, you can stroll around the beautifully lit Courthouse Wonderland and view the many displays.

Even though this is an outside event, we are still asking folks to wear masks and practice social distancing.

The special weekend continues on into Saturday, December 5 with Breakfast with Santa at x-Factor Grill from 8:00 am – 10am. The Christmas Parade will begin at 4:00 pm. It will be spread out this year so everyone can stand farther apart as they watch the parade.

For more information go to www.mainstreettoccoa.com or call Sharon Crosby at 706-282-3309.

John Conlee Concert Postponed until May 27th, 2021.

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Tami Mayhugh

Date: November 16, 2020

RE: Country Legend John Conlee postponed again

Toccoa, GA – You’re going to have to put away those rose-colored glasses for a little bit longer.  The November 21^st performance by country legend John Conlee at the Historic Ritz Theatre has been postponed until May 27^th 2021.

Out of an abundance of caution, not only for the health of our patrons, but for Mr. Conlee as well, his management has decided to once again postpone his concert. Tickets purchased for any previous dates will be honored at the new time.  If you have any questions regarding refunds, please contact Ritz Theatre General Manager Tami Mayhugh at 706-244-0039 or tmayhugh@cityoftoccoa.com.

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Benjamin Kronk and Friends to Perform at the Ritz in December

 

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Tami Mayhugh
Date: November 9, 2020
RE: Historic Ritz Theatre Welcomes SouthEastern Young Artists Benjamin Kronk and Friends

Toccoa, GA  November 9- The hustle and bustle of the holidays will soon be upon us, but the Historic Ritz Theatre is excited to bring you a chance to slow down and enjoy an afternoon of classical violin, viola, and cello with four musicians from SouthEastern Young Artists.  Join us for a Night at the Ritz performance, during the day, on Sunday, December 13^th at 3pm.

Toccoa will welcome back violinist Benjamin Kronk, who performed with the Toccoa Symphony in March, along with Grant Rieke, viola, Jacob Efthimiou, cello, and Nanao Yamada, violin for the performace.   SouthEastern Young Artists brings Grammy-nominees, soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral players from across the USA and Canada to perform chamber music in the South East United States.

This Night at the Ritz show is sponsored in part through generous grants from the Georgia Council for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased online at www.ritztheatretoccoa.com or by calling General Manager Tami Mayhugh at 706-244-0039.

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Pumpkin Daze Takes Place This Saturday!

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Sharon Crosby

Date: October 26, 2020

RE: Pumpkin Derby

Pumpkin Daze 2020

Toccoa, GA – November 3, 2020 – “What is Pumpkin Daze?” Many have asked what to expect with this new Main Street Toccoa event.  The answer is that it is a fun family fall festival on November 7 in downtown Toccoa from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

There will be over 30 craft vendors, 4 food vendors, games, a cake walk, a hayride, a photo booth, as well as entertainment. Two of the highlights of the event will be the Pumpkin Decorating Contest and the Pumpkin Derby. Downtown businesses and restaurants will also be open.

The pumpkin decorating contest will take place at 11:30am prior to the Pumpkin Derby on Pond St. near the Pumpkin Derby.  Attendees should stand by at 11:00am to be judged, if they would like to participate.

Pumpkins must be decorated beforehand.

Pumpkins will be judged in three different categories: Most Creative, Scariest or Most Whimsical, and Georgia-themed. The winners in each category will receive a $25 gift certificate each to a downtown business of their choice.

The Pumpkin Derby will take place from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on Pond St. Sign up for the event will start at 10:00am.

There will be 3 - 4 pumpkins competing at a time. The fastest pumpkin from each heat will compete in the final contest.

Everyone is invited to bring your own decorated pumpkin. Alternatively, you will be able to purchase one at the event. Pumpkins do not need to be decorated.

The grand prize is $100 cash for first place. Second place is a $50 gift certificate to a downtown business of your choice. Third place is a $25 gift certificate to a downtown business of your choice. Each participant will receive a bag of candy.

No attachments or manipulation of the pumpkins will be allowed. Participants will be responsible for their pumpkins after the race.

All ages are invited to participate in both contests.

Admission to PUMPKIN DAZE will be FREE.

While this will be a smaller oriented event downtown, we are still asking folks to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Christmas Movies Planned for December at the Ritz

 

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Tami Mayhugh 706-244-0039

Date: 11/2/2020

RE: The Historic Ritz Theatre Presents 2020 December Holiday Movies

TOCCOA, GA, November 2, 2020 – Grab your calendar and mark off Thursdays in December for the Historic Ritz Theatre’s Holiday Movie Series.

Show times are at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm.  Tickets and all concessions are only $1. The series will premiere with A Christmas Story on December 3rd, followed by The Man Who Invented Christmas on December 10th, and closes with Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause on December 17th. 

Due to social distancing guidelines seating is limited to the first 150 guests. The theatre will be sanitized between showings. Please contact General Manager Tami Mayhugh at 706-244-0039 or at tmayhugh@cityoftoccoa.com with any questions or concerns.

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Open Mic Monday Scheduled for November: Category is Country Music

 

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Tami Mayhugh 706.244.0039

Date: 11/2/20

RE: Open Mic Monday

Country Music Competition Open Mic Monday

 

Toccoa, GA November 2, 2020 – Month three of Open Mic Monday is bringing a country music competition to the Historic Ritz Theatre on November 16^th at 7pm.

 

Any interested performers can sign up online at ritztheatretoccoa.com or at the theatre the night of the show before 6:30. Contestants can perform two songs or for ten minutes. Any pre-recorded music must be brought on a jump drive. The night’s winner will receive $50 and a paid gig at the 2021 Ida Cox Summer Music Series.

 

The public is invited to come out and enjoy a night of great music and support local entertainers. As always, it is free to participate and free to watch!

 

For more information about Open Mic Monday, contact Tami Mayhugh, General Manager, Historic Ritz Theatre at 706. 244.0039.

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