City celebrates Uptown with street party

posted by Elspethm99 on August 15, 2007 at 3:55 pm

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX — People will be dancing in the streets from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at a free block party in Grand Prairie when the city celebrates completing the exterior restoration of the Uptown Theater, located at 126 East Main Street.

The Uptown Theater originally opened in 1950 as a movie theater. In 2005 the City of Grand Prairie purchased the theater and two adjoining buildings to create a multi-use performing arts center. In addition to being the home for the Grand Prairie Arts Council (GPAC) productions, the City of Grand Prairie will present a series of performances featuring regional and national touring productions.

Lights, Camera, UPTOWN: A Marquee Celebration will feature free entertainment throughout the evening from local performance groups including Children of the Strings Orchestra, Amanda’s Dance, and a theatrical presentation from GPAC. Food and beverages will be offered for sale by local restaurants. Free face painting “with entertainment themes” will be available for kids of all ages.

After dark a brief program will culminate in the lighting of the new digital marquee and the restored pink and green neon. Grand Prairie favorites The Fugitives will perform immediately after the lighting ceremony.

Join the City of Grand Prairie in celebrating this important milestone in the rebirth of the historic Uptown Theater. The street party will be a peek into what the future holds for this important artistic landmark.

For more information please contact Elspeth McDonald, Managing Director of the Uptown Theater at 972-237-8409 or

Theaters in this post

• Uptown Theater