Grand Opening Success!
The Gem Theatre and Star Saloon reopened October 24-26 with a sold-out weekend of music and film, timed to mark 20 years since the first renovation work party in October 2005.
October 24 brought donors and volunteers together for a warm evening of shared food and live jazz inside the auditorium. Jacie Sites took the stage on October 25 with her band, fresh off multiple national titles. On October 26, the City Girl by F. W. Murnau returned to its roots with a local screening; parts of the film were shot near Athena in 1928 during wheat harvest.
More classic film showings begin in January 2026, bringing new life to this small-town landmark, with concerts following again in Spring 2026. Visit, take a seat, and catch what's next.






