Thursday’s program will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the release of the film “Forever, Darling,” featuring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present the first program in its 2026 Here & There – Chautauqua County History, Travelers and Memories series on Thursday at 7 p.m. The program will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the release of the film “Forever, Darling,” featuring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

February not only marks the anniversary of the film’s release, but also the historic homecoming event that took place in Jamestown, when Lucy and Desi premiered the film at what was then The Palace Theater, now the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

Ashley Senske, Collections Manager for the National Comedy Center and Lucy Desi Museum, will present this brief talk with Q&A about the First Couple of Comedy’s whirlwind trip to Lucy’s hometown and the significance of the decision to include Jamestown as part of the world premiere tour. Rarely seen archival video and audio content will be shared, followed by a special screening of the film.

Admission to the lecture is free, with donations gratefully accepted. Opera House programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and by the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.