Staff Reports
The Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda will put the Democratic National Convention in Denver on the big screen Thursday.
Niagara County Democratic Committee Chairman Dan Rivera said it is the first time the committee has undertaken plans for such an event.
“We’ve had smaller events before, parties, but there’s a lot of excitement right now, you got an historic election with an historic nominee, what better place to watch it than an historic place like the Riviera Theatre ... it just makes sense,” he said.
Frank Cannata, executive director at the Riviera, said he contacted the committee about the idea, and on Tuesday called counterparts with the Republican committee to extend a similar offer.
The GOP committee will host its national convention next week in St. Paul, Minn.
“I’ve tried to utilize the Riviera for as many public educational activities as I can,” Cannata said. “We want to provide a public service for our public to become educated about the two candidates running for president, in a fun setting.”
The event is free and open to the public.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and will commence with a free organ concert on the theater’s famous Wurlitzer.
Convention coverage will air on the theater’s big screen beginning at 8 p.m.
“We’re hoping if we can get Keith Olbermann and Al Gore speaking with Obama,” Rivera said.
The specific program will include Olbermann from 8 to 9 p.m.; general convention coverage from 9 to 10 p.m. and organizers anticipate Obama’s acceptance speech will take place between roughly 10 and 11 p.m.
All are invited to attend.
