Plaza cinema celebrates third anniversary of ‘80s nights with a classic this weekend

They’re as much of a part of the Plaza as fizzy drinks and popcorn – and the popular ‘80s Nights that have had people flocking into the Crosby community cinema since it reopened are celebrating their third birthday this weekend.

Organiser Nick Gartland is marking The Plaza Cinema’s anniversary with a showing of The Blues Brothers, the 1980 tale of redemption starring John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd on Saturday.

And he’s hoping the sell-out crowds that have been a huge part of the cinema’s rebirth will be back to toast the occasion.

“It’s a great film from the ‘80s era and one of the few we haven’t done,” says Nick. “And it seemed like a good one to celebrate our third birthday.

“It’s been such a journey along the way – and little did I know that when I started the Plaza ‘80s Nights in 2021, that they’d be still going strong now.”

Nick, 49, moved to the Crosby and Waterloo area in 1987 and the Plaza – although then with a different name – was the cinema he went to. He even worked there during the 1990s when it was the Apollo.

He was one of the volunteers who happily got his paintbrush out when it reopened as a community cinema, following a short closure, in 1997.

And, although by day Nick works as an SQL server database administrator, he is also a DJ who decided to launch the series of ‘80s Nights to ensure the cinema continued to attract a good audience.  “And it turned out they were more popular than I had even hoped.”

There have been 15 over the last few years showing films like The Breakfast Club, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, and Rocky IV, and many sold out: “The Plaza main screen holds around 500 people, so they’ve done really well,” says Nick. “It’s a way of getting people into the cinema who might not consider going there and it’s just a really good night out.”

As people gather for drinks at the bar, Nick performs a music set before the audience sits back to enjoy the film. “People get up and have a sing and a dance and so they’re really upbeat when the film kicks off and they get really involved in it, cheering and clapping.  

“People come in fancy dress and there’s always an amazing atmosphere,” he says.  “When I was younger I loved the classic films of the ‘80s, I grew up with them. I think everybody loves them because they’ve got great soundtracks and the films just didn’t take themselves too seriously. They have a massive place in people’s hearts.”

The birthday celebrations will be followed by horror delights on Saturday, October 26, when Nick will perform a Halloween-themed set and the cinema will show A Nightmare on Elm Street, and there’ll be prizes for the best fancy dress.

Because that’s an 18-Certificate, the Plaza is also holding a Halloween Family Special on Thursday, October 31, with The Nightmare Before Christmas, again with Nick delivering a Halloween set and a fancy dress competition.

There are plans for a Christmas event and Nick has teased about a ‘very special event’ that he’s preparing for February 1 next year.

“I didn’t think I’d get to a third year and here I am planning a fourth,” he smiles, “so there’s lots to look forward to.

“I just want to keeping building on what I do and what I know, and I just want people to enjoy themselves. I want to show that the Plaza is for everyone, and all ages.”

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