Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison

Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi will perform at the Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois, on Aug. 19 as part of an elaborate Blues Brothers Con at the historic site. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Joliet Area Historical Museum, reported The Herald-News. “He [Dan Aykroyd] made a significant donation of his time to … Continue reading Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi to perform next month at Old Joliet Prison

Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation

The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, will undergo an extensive renovation and expansion in the next few years -- the first since the museum opened in 1938. The Joplin Globe reported: Letters from Will Rogers’ adolescence, glass slides of movie posters, studio contracts, movie scripts and costumes are just a few of the … Continue reading Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore to undergo a $14 million expansion and renovation

Filmmakers of a documentary on women of Route 66 to launch a summer tour on June 14

The creators of the "Route 66: The Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road" documentary film will launch a summer tour with a screening on June 14 in Springfield, Missouri. The 7 p.m. event at Duane Meyer Library, Room 101, in Missouri State University Libraries will include a panel discussion with filmmakers, the Chix … Continue reading Filmmakers of a documentary on women of Route 66 to launch a summer tour on June 14

Son of Springfield Inn owner makes a documentary about motel’s sad decline

Shyam Rama, a son of the former owner of the Springfield Inn in Springfield, Missouri, has co-created a short documentary film about his childhood and his former home's sad and startlingly quick decline. A redeveloper of the Route 66 motel earlier this year announced plans to put a Whataburger restaurant and other businesses there. Rama … Continue reading Son of Springfield Inn owner makes a documentary about motel’s sad decline

“Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive

The 88-minute film "Route 66: The Mother Road" which starred bestselling author Michael Wallis and his wife Suzanne in 1994, recently was uploaded to the Internet Archive for everyone to enjoy. The out-of-print film often also was titled "A Journey Down Route 66." A few copies on VHS or even DVD could be found on … Continue reading “Route 66: The Mother Road” film from 1994 uploaded to the Internet Archive

Historic Roxy Theater in Holbrook has a new owner

The Roxy Theater along Route 66 in Holbrook, Arizona, landed a new owner earlier this year who pledges to retain its history. Haley Young, a Holbrook native who lives in Phoenix, bought the single-screen venue in January from Richard and Stacy Nowell, who had owned it since 2013. Young's brother and sister-in-law, who also live … Continue reading Historic Roxy Theater in Holbrook has a new owner

Coleman Theatre in Miami hosting a film festival this weekend

The historic Coleman Theatre in downtown Miami, Oklahoma, is playing host to Sunny Side Up Film Festival on Friday through Sunday after it was delayed for two years by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizer Rock Whitehead talked to the Joplin Globe about the event: The festival is bringing to Northeast Oklahoma a diverse cast of filmmakers to show off … Continue reading Coleman Theatre in Miami hosting a film festival this weekend

Owner of The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa to open an Airbnb across the street

The owner of the Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa soon will open a similarly themed Airbnb across the street so tourists can stay in the neighborhood overnight. Danny Boy O'Connor, owner of the house and museum, will call the Airbnb site at 728 N. St. Louis Ave. the Greaser Hideout, a reference to where Ponyboy … Continue reading Owner of The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa to open an Airbnb across the street

Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio who was interviewed in documentary, dies at 89

Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio at the Texas-New Mexico border who was interviewed in a documentary about the Route 66 ghost town, died on New Year's Eve in nearby Vega, Texas. He was 89. If you have a few minutes, read the colorful obituary on Nixon's life. It's apparent he enjoyed his time on … Continue reading Charlie Nixon, a native of Glenrio who was interviewed in documentary, dies at 89

Joe & Aggie’s Cafe faces uncertain future after closing, death of its longtime owner

If the landmark Joe & Aggie's Cafe in Holbrook, Arizona, ever reopens, it probably won't be as a restaurant. That means folks who dined there in the fall of 2020 might have enjoyed among the last meals served in Holbrook's oldest restaurant before it quietly closed. According to Joe & Aggie's long-dormant Facebook page, the … Continue reading Joe & Aggie’s Cafe faces uncertain future after closing, death of its longtime owner