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Tennessee Theater Reopens After 23 Million Dollar Restoration
posted by
jw10ec
on
March 21, 2005 at 6:46 am
KNOXVILLE, TN — The City of Knoxville recently completed a $23 million restoration of it’s vintage Tennessee Theater.
The beautiful Tennessee Theatre is a jewel of historic Knoxville, located in the heart of downtown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and honored as the Official State Theatre of Tennessee, “Knoxville’s Grand Entertainment Palace” has something for everyone: classical music, vintage films, dance, theater, and stellar performances by today’s hottest musicians. It now rivals the Fox Theater in Atlanta.
A second jewel, the Bijou is moribund awaiting underwriting for rennovations as well. Since the Tennessee Theater reopened, it has hosted The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, Earl Scruggs, and a sold out Valentine’s Day screening of Casablanca!
If you are ever in town, check out this beautiful Moorish theater.
Comments (7)
What a beautiful Theatre, can’t wait see visit sometime……I was watching the movie “Backdraft” with Kurt Russel the other day. Does anyone know the Theatre they featured in it? It was about half way through the picture and the scene was of the firemen mopping up from a fire and throwing seats from the baalcony.
Hope to see this theatre and the Knoxville area someday!
I haven’t seen Backdraft in a long time, but I know the Uptown in chicago was one of the filming locations.
What a wonderful idea….a Valentine’s Day screening of Casablanca!
I think I saw every great Disney Movie of my childhood at the Tennessee. I remember evrything from Bullit to True Grit to Where Eagles Dare on that screen, and the field trips there for 1776 when I was in school.
Modern theaters have nothing to compare to the experience you had there. I can still smell the popcorn. You walked in after buying yurticket at the booth out front and were greeted by red carpet and the huge staircases going up both side to the balcony. I don’t know what it looks like now, but next time I am home i hope they are showing vintage films because this is something I want my kids to experience.
Will have to check this one out in person.
Go to Knoxville,Tlsloews.It is in your state.I have been there and i had a 5 hour drive.