Holly Restoration Project to have a segment on Jim Belushi’s “Building Belushi” show on DIY Network
MEDFORD, OREGON, JULY 22, 2015 – Actor, comedian and musician Jim Belushi joined the Holly Theatre in April as the Honorary Chair of the Holly Theatre Restoration Project. His six-episode DIY Network series, Building Beluishi, follows Belushi and his team of experts as they build a riverfront retreat cabin along the Rogue River. His appearance with us in the annual Pear Blossom Parade and his involvement in the theater’s restoration are the subject of a segment in the show’s final episode airing this Saturday July 25 at 7:30pm and repeating at 10:30pm on DIY (charter Channel 81 locally).
“Building Belushi is the story of how I built the ‘Rogue’s Lair,’” said Belushi. “I go to a deeper, soulful place when I’m here.”
A native of Chicago and resident of Los Angeles, Mr. Belushi has just finished building his home in the Rogue Valley and is excited to be able to help restore the gem that is the Holly Theatre in his new town. “You can just feel the history in a place like the Holly—all the people that have gone on that stage before you,” said Belushi. “Beautiful places like this are irreplaceable and the flashpoint point of many a community’s revitalization. It is critical to save them.”
And save it he is. Since Belushi’s involvement in the fundraising campaign, donations have steadily increased for the theater’s restoration fund. And a fundraising concert by Belushi and his Sacred Hearts blues band on August 29 at EdenVale Winery is expected to raise a considerable sum toward the restoration. Belushi says he’s excited to be part of saving the old theater and see it thrive again. “There is nothing like these places. They are jewels that can’t be created today. And that they can do such good for a town is only the icing on the cake in restoring one. I can’t wait to be back to play on this stage when it reopens.”
The fundraising concert, “A Special Evening with Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts,” will take place on the beautiful grounds of EdenVale Winery at Eden Valley Orchards in Medford. Nestled among the property’s vineyards and orchards, EdenVale’s new amphitheater is perfectly suited to a gala event and high-energy concert. With general admission lawn tickets priced at $33, the concert is affordable for everyone to attend. Special Dinner packages ($119) include a preferred reserved seat and a sumptuous pre-show dinner featuring the West’s largest Paella by Cutting Edge Catering. VIP Packages ($169) include the best available seats, dinner, private reserved parking and a special VIP-only after party with dessert catered by Larks Restaurant, as well as a meet-and-greet with Mr. Belushi, a photo taken with him and a copy of his CD. Tickets are available at hollytheatre.org or by calling 541-772-3797 Tuesday through Friday, 11am-6pm. Lawn tickets are also available at EdenVale’s Medford tasting room, at Edenvale’s Enoteca in Ashland, at Terra Firma Home in downtown Medford and at Terra Firma Gift in Jacksonville.
Jim Belushi is known for his TV work on Saturday Night Live and eight seasons of his own sitcom According To Jim as well as dozens of films, including iconic movies such as Trading Places, About Last Night, K-9 and Curly Sue. His is also the voice behind animated series Pinky and the Brain, Rugrats and Scooby Doo. An extremely accomplished musician, Belushi is also a member of The Blues Brothers, along with long-time friend Dan Aykroyd. The first of his four albums topped the blues chart and his band, The Sacred Hearts, are all accomplished GRAMMY-award winning musicians and the house band for the House of Blues chain of venues.
Once restored, this 1930 movie palace will present live concerts, film and other special events, becoming an important component of an emerging downtown arts and dining district and helping to drive continued economic investment and job creation in the region. The Holly Theatre’s restoration began in 2012 with completion of the building’s façade and the recreation and installation of the original marquee and blade sign—work that won the City’s 2013 Historic Preservation Award.
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