Running Cinemasalem has been a bit like following the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Tin Man and the rest of the gang.
That’s why Paul Van Ness, who screened “The Wizard of Oz” when he bought CinemaSalem 10 years ago, is bringing the film back to the screen next Thursday, June 2, to celebrate his milestone anniversary.
“(’The Wizard of Oz’) is all about family and community,” he said. “The little crew that travels in the dream Dorothy is having, as it corresponds to the real world — there’s that magic of something that people do together.”
This time, Van Ness is showing “The Wizard of Oz” for free, to show his appreciation for the community support CinemaSalem has received over the years, including $60,000 in donations that helped the Theater buy digital projection equipment in 2013.
The screening acknowledges CinemaSalem’s ongoing dedication to showcasing fine films, including the international documentaries featured at the annual Salem Film Fest.
But the theater is also hosting a free concert that same night in celebration of the venue’s new emphasis on live performance.
The concert is being organized by Beverly’s Nick Consone, who is bringing in a lineup of Local Musicians to join him for the evening.
CinemaSalem has hosted up to five concerts a year under Van Ness’ operation, and the response has always been positive, he said. Now he’s looking to add more live shows to the schedule.
This past March, CinemaSalem hosted J. Geils Band harmonica player “Magic Dick” Salwitz and fingerstyle guitarist. Next month, the venue will welcome folk star Jonathan Edwards on Thursday, June 9, and Ipswich native Melissa Ferrick performs Thursday, June 23 in celebration of Pride Week.
Built in 1982, CinemaSalem features three large theaters. Van Ness also added a small theater with 20 seats that shows art films.
The 10-by-20-foot performance stage is located in front of the movie screen in one of the large theaters. It features an updated sound system and lighting for concerts.
“There’s really nice acoustics in that theater that musicians like, and the audience likes,” Van Ness said.
Consone, 30, has been playing guitar since he was 12, and performs almost every weekend with his own Nick Consone Band. He also plays in a seven-piece wedding band, Horizon and the Horns, and has hosted an open mike night at Victoria Station in Salem for six years.
“Stevie Ray Vaughan is my biggest influence, when I started out,” Consone said. “I started out heavily rooted in blues, and still am.”
But Consone varies what he plays depending on the crowd and venue, and usually features a mix of Top 40 songs, from Pink Floyd to Justin Timberlake.
For the CinemaSalem show, he will be joined by a number of local musicians who will each play a short set consisting of an original song, a song that’s been featured in a movie screened at CinemaSalem and a cover or selection of their choice.
Consone said he immediately thought of Prince’s “Purple Rain” when he considered what movie song he’ll be performing at the show. But he said he will wait until the concert before making a final decision.
“I’ve got to read the room — see what everyone’s feeling,” he said.
CinemaSalem has entertained more than 800,000 people, mostly with movies, since it opened on June 2, 2006. Van Ness doesn’t predict how many will come to see live performances at his theater, but he believes it’s what people want.
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