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GOWN + TOWN
Whether you live in Lubbock or just come back to visit, look for a feature called “Gown + Town” in each issue. This section highlights a special place or event in the Lubbock area that mustn’t be missed.
The Cactus Theater: Lubbock’s Most Historic Entertainment Venue
BY JEAN ANN CANTORE
NO TRIP TO THE DEPOT DISTRICT of Lubbock would be complete without a visit to the Cactus Theater, 1812 Buddy Holly Ave. The popular entertainment venue, which opened in 1938, offers programming for every taste. From bigname performers such as Christopher Cross to local favorites such as the Caldwell Kids, revues and tributes to performers — and everything in between — live performances are readily available in The 806.
“My goal is to book a balanced variety of entertainment for everyone in Lubbock and this region to enjoy, and that dictates taking a lot of chances,” says Lubbock native and Red Raider Darryl Holland, owner and promoter of the Cactus since 2016. “We book 110+ shows yearly, including dozens of regional, national and international touring acts: singer-songwriters, duos, trios, gospel acts, comedians, Big Bands, musical-theater troupes and specialty acts like a magician, ventriloquist or dog show. We recently rented the theater for a first-of-its-kind on our storied stage: a body building competition.”
An entrepreneur since he was young, Holland always had an interest in promoting concerts. He knew he needed a venue where acts could perform and considered restoring the aged Granada Theater in
HISTORIC LUBBOCK COUNTY CACTUS THEATER
Plainview, Texas. When those plans didn’t materialize, he ultimately purchased the Cactus Theater in Lubbock.
“I think many folks don’t realize that the Cactus was unceremoniously shuttered, stripped of its contents and exterior ornamentation and used as a scrap iron warehouse for 25 years after it closed in 1958,” Holland says. “As a kid and young adult growing up in Lubbock, I had no idea the Cactus had ever existed because there was no curbside indication.
“Only the older generations knew of the theater’s early life until it was acquired by a group of local investors led by music producers Don and Terri Caldwell — and re-opened in late 1994.”
For the next 20 years, the Caldwells showcased local performers and original productions. They helped to grow talent in West Texas. When Holland acquired the theater, he continued to embrace the Caldwell tradition of live performances as well as to add different offerings.
This fall, the theater will begin showing classic movies on the big screen. This addition to the lineup is somewhat of a return to the venue’s original roots as a movie theater, from 1938 to 1958.
“We have recently decided to commit more time and programming toward screening important classic films and occasional new art house releases and specialty documentaries where we see a good fit,” Holland says. “We want to showcase very early classics, underappreciated film noir, cult classics and independent films that never made it to a screen in Lubbock. There’s a LOT of territory that can be covered and a special niche that we hope cinephiles will seek out and embrace as we get more established in that effort.
CACTUS THEATER COMING UP AT THE CACTUS
Sept. 18: Blues Master Albert Cummings Sept. 30: Free Fallin’: The Tom Petty Concert Experience Oct. 4: Christopher Cross: 40th Anniversary Tour Oct. 7: Blackwater Draw - LIVE! Benefit for PTSD Center Oct. 18-19: CMA of Texas Awards and Documentary Film Oct. 21: The Wilder Blue Dec. 7: Celtic Angels Christmas Dec. 10: Will Hearn’s The Grand Ol’ Christmas Show Dec. 14: Dailey & Vincent Christmas Dec. 16-17: Caldwell Kids Christmas Dec. 18-19: Cactus Family Christmas Celebration
“We work closely with Triple J Chophouse, directly across the street from us,” he says. “It’s been a long tradition for many of our patrons to eat there prior to a show at the Cactus, and that symbiotic relationship thrives in the tradition of ‘dinner and a show.’ Down the street, you’ll find our show posters by the door at Cast Iron Grill, and not too far from the district, our hotel partner is MCM Eleganté. They help the Cactus tremendously by hosting many of our performers at their hotel and oftentimes shuttling them to the airport or to the theater, and we value their help with rooms tremendously.” Holland notes that many renovations to the theater have taken place in the past six years, the most noticeable updates being a new state-of-the-art sound system, full LED stage lighting and motorized trusses; new carpet; aisle lighting; new seats (generously donated by Texas Tech when new upgrades to Maedgen Theater commenced) with cupholders; stonework around the stage and lighting booths; cedar planter boxes out front; LED uplighting on the exterior above the marquee; and very recent concession and lobby major remodel to better serve customers.
“I love this historic theater because it’s a local treasure to generations of people all across the South Plains. Scores of performers and patrons have come through its doors, from the early days when it was exclusively a movie house through the past 28 years after it was re-birthed to stage live theater, comedy, concerts and scores of special events,” he says.
Holland notes that his biggest supporter is his wife, Stephanie. The two teamed up previously to start and run Holly Hop Ice Cream Shop on 34th Street in Lubbock in 2008. They sold the popular eatery last year when Stephanie retired.
Holland also is quick to praise his team.
“From our concessions team led by longtime employees Julie Arriaga and BeBe Robinson to box office manager Trina Ehlers and cleaning team headed by Mary Spencer, her son Sean and his buddies; to our recent fixture on sound, Spencer Wells, we run a tight but steady ship, and I’m eternally grateful for all of them and what they bring to the table.”
Of course, without performers and the audience, there would be no Cactus Theater.
“The intimacy, uniqueness and sense of history that patrons and performers feel when they come through the doors of the Cactus are what make it a very special place,” he says. “It’s hard to describe in words what it feels like when the house lights go down...performers hit the stage...stage lights and sound kick in — it’s maybe the greatest feeling I know....magical and transformational.”
