Crystal Theatre to show two U.P. documentaries 

CRYSTAL FALLS – Crystal Theatre will host the screening of two short documentaries of local interest Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. 
The Iron Town focuses on the history of Negaunee and how one small town hopes to outlive the iron ore industry that was integral to that history. The audience will note some similarities between Negaunee and Crystal Falls as the mining of iron ore impacted both communities. The Iron Town was an official historical selection of the Fresh Coast Film Festival 2022 in Marquette.
The other film, Saving our Theatre, recounts the challenges facing three U.P. groups who are struggling to keep theater alive in their communities. Thirty years ago, those who were determined to save the abandoned Crystal Theatre faced many of the same challenges.
Both films were directed by  Dan Korhonen, a Negaunee native and NMU alumni, whose father served as Negaunee’s city manager.                
“When I was growing up in Negaunee, everybody in the downtown was moving out to the highway,” Korhonen said. “The grocery store closed, the hardware store closed, a lot of the buildings downtown were closing, and they were moving out to the highway where all the traffic was. Now there’s a push to move back downtown.”
Negaunee’s Vista Theatre is one of the three community theaters featured in Saving Our Theatre. The other two are Marquette’s Masonic Theatre known as MATI (Masonic Arts, Theatre & Innovation Company) and the Keweenaw Storytelling Center in Calumet. 
“I hope the film raises awareness about the issues the different theater groups face,” Korhonen said. “I hope people understand how important theaters have been for these communities in the past and how important they can be in the future for arts, culture and music.”
Korhonen will be present to introduce the films and to respond to questions. Admission to the screening is by donation.