North Tonawanda, NY, is nestled near the Erie Canal, almost midway between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and is an unassuming city with a lot of history. Built in 1926, the Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center not only showed the popular movies of the day, but also featured vaudeville and other musical events. The crown jewel of the venue is "The Mighty Wurlitzer," a massive organ that was employed as a regular feature until the 1930s. Over the years, the organ has gone through multiple periods of repair and restoration, and is once again fully functioning and has received international acclaim. Today, the Riviera features concerts, events, and films for all tastes, from those who seek a family outing to those who want a night out cheering on the local burlesque troupe.
Parking and public transportation at Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
Parking in North Tonawanda is generally easy to find; there are a lot of businesses on Webster Street, many of which have spaces out front. If those spaces are full (which may be the case on busy summer nights or during football season, where area bars fill up quickly) you may have to walk a couple of fairly short blocks from the public lot on Manhattan Street to get to the theatre. The lot is free, as is street parking. Buffalo's Metro Bus has routes that go to downtown North Tonawanda, and there are taxis in the area as well. Locals love to walk or bike to the theatre, as traffic is relatively light in cooler months and low speed limits keep traffic slow-moving.
Getting tickets at Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
Ticket prices will vary based on event. These can be purchased at the box office (see website for hours of operation, which change seasonally), over the phone, or online. Methods of payment include cash, a local check with proper identification, Visa, or MasterCard. Group sales are available for a discount for twenty or more attendees. Keep in mind: the box office is closed every Sunday and Tuesday.
Types of concerts at Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
In addition to new and classic movies, the theatre has hosted internationally popular musical artists such as Kenny G, the Smashing Pumpkins, the Irish Rovers, and many others. The Nickel City Opera is the "opera-in-residence" at the Riviera, and has performed a June festival opera every year since 2009.
Other places to visit near Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
With scenic Niagara Falls just a short jaunt north, it's the perfect complement to a night at the theatre. See the Falls, see the show, then visit one of the many bars on Webster Street for a nightcap or Buffalo's world-famous chicken wings (in more flavors than you imagined possible). If attending a family matinee, ice cream shops on Webster provide a great post-theatre treat.
Where to stay near Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
The Tonawanda area isn't exactly known for its luxury hotels, but the standards are available, such as Days Inn, Super 8, and Econo Lodge. For more options, Buffalo has some swankier digs, and Niagara Falls may provide more scenery as you drift off to sleep. Nearby Amherst, home to University at Buffalo, also has some great choices thanks to continued expansion around the college.
Insider tip for visitors to Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center
Summers in North Tonawanda can be insane, as there are festivals galore (most notably, Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, which takes place every year for a solid week around mid-July). "Weekends on Webster" also showcases live music, and the streets may be blocked off entirely on Mondays for the Riviera-sponsored Cruise Nights. Make sure to plan ahead; the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas is an excellent resource to contact for any nitty-gritty details to avoid any difficulties.
Author's bio: Kimberly Mintz is a writer and voice actor who lives in the Buffalo area. Find her on Twitter @KimIsWriting.