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Openings
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August 19, 2008
Norwin Cinemas to end 28-year run
NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA — Never changing from its 4-screen format, the Norwin Cinemas is finally succumbing to the competition and closing its doors.
Norwin Cinemas made its debut with advanced technology for its time, but because of slow business throughout the years, the theater was never upgraded to newer digital technology, Kight said.
After almost 30 years, the theater still uses its original 35 mm projection equipment, which in 1980 was a step toward better quality special effects with less granularity.
Even when it first opened, Kight said, the owners did not predict great success for the theater because it was competing with a larger, more popular one at Eastgate shopping center near Greensburg.
Read the full story at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
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Eastburg indy-movie theater coming back
EAST STROUDSBURG, PA — After a brief few months with its future in doubt, the Pocono Cinema should return in the fall.
The vacant Pocono Cinema — closed since April — has been sold, and the new owners plan to reopen the North Courtland Street theater this fall.
There is no official date for the opening, but two of the partners behind the new opening, Dan Dunn, 62, of Stroudsburg, and Ray “Skip” Scheetz, 60, of Stroud Township, said they believe it will be open sometime in October.
Read more at the Pocono Record.
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July 31, 2008
A return at Center Stage
FONTANA, CA — After a thorough restoration, the Center Stage Theatre reopened with a Boadway revue.
The curtain has opened at Center Stage Theater, and the audience is cheering.
Fontana’s newly-renovated theater held its grand opening this past weekend (July 25-27), adding another jewel to the city’s downtown crown.
The dinner theater’s first show, “Best of Broadway,” will continue on weekends through Sept. 14 at 8463 Sierra Avenue, just south of the new Lewis Library and Technology Center (which opened in April).
Get the full story in the Fontana Herald News.
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July 22, 2008
Art Theatre re-opening August 15th
LONG BEACH, CA — After being sold and closed in March of this year, the Art Theatre is scheduled to re-open on August 15th.
The facade will be restored, a replica of the 1934 marquee will be installed, and maybe best of all, a new proscenium arch and curtains will be installed in front of the screen!
Long Beach’s venerable Art Theatre is scheduled to re-open Aug. 15, pushed back by owners two weeks later than the date previously posted on the theater’s Web site.
The 84-year-old Fourth Street institution, which has been closed since March, will showcase some of its past glamour with more than
$1 million in restorations and renovations, courtesy of the theater’s new owners, V Squared.
See this link for the full article in the Press Telegram.
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June 27, 2008
The Retro Cinema opens
WASHINGTON, GA — Retro Cinema and Books has opened and is a tiny little theatre that has to be seen to be believed.
Not only is the place a work of incredible work of art with attention given to every detail, but it also includes a bookstore and wine bar off of the theatre itself!
The following is from a recent review in Flagpole Magazine
The heart of the Retro is the theater. Seats are limited, lending to a feel that’s more reminiscent of watching a movie at home with a group of friends rather than sharing an auditorium with 200 popcorn-chomping strangers. And there’s a reason it’s called the Retro: the owner, Dana Kibbey, says, “We select our movies carefully, looking for themes and genres that would appeal to this market, while at the same time standing as special movies in their own right. We do play classic Hollywood films from the ‘40s and '50s on "Retro Nite.”
They aim for the special charms and appeal of the classics, leaving the typical Hollywood blockbusters to the chain theaters. They’re also planning to expand a bit by hosting a special film festival in the fall of ‘08 that Kibbey reveals will also include guest appearances by classic film stars to discuss their films and their books. Housed in the rear corner of the cozy theater is a concession booth, complete with popcorn, cookies and Tab. But they offer a wider variety of sodas, if you’re not feeling quite that retro.
Here is their website.
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June 25, 2008
The doors of Pearisburg theater open again
PEARISBURG, VA — While the future is still unclear for the Pearis Theater, it opened up for the first time in a while to showcase a local production of “The Three Musketeers”.
After a period of silence, the halls of the Pearis Theater are ringing with the sounds of music and laughter once again.
The theater, built in 1939, is still for sale, but a recent agreement has its doors reopened.
Get the full story in the Roanoke Times.
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June 19, 2008
Galaxy 14 Cine construction article
ROCHESTER, MN — There is going to be an article in the July issue of Design Cost Data magazine about the construction of the Galaxy Cine 14. Its sister facility, recently opened in Bloomington, IL. The article goes into great detail regarding the specifics in architecture in modern day theaters.
For more info on Rataj-Krueger Architects Inc., go to their website.
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June 16, 2008
Last night at Rialto
RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ — Here’s a touching account of the final night screening of “Cinema Paradiso” at the closing night of the Rialto Theatre.
Then, as my car slowed in anticipation of a traffic light, I could see the letters — those six red letters, evenly separated and against a yellow backdrop, which brought back the memories like a biblical flood.
RIALTO
As I passed the movie theater that has forever influenced my life, I could see the title of the movie I had come to see up on the marquee: “Cinema Paradiso,” an Italian fable about the magic of movies and the lasting presence of friendship.
Read the full story at The Leader.
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May 30, 2008
Fox reopening a success!
WATSONVILLE, CA – The Historic Fox Theatre of Watsonville is back and alive and reopened!!! We just wanted to let you know. We had our grand re-opening May 1st with “Iron Man” and it was a success. It is open and alive.
Address is 15 Maple Street, Watsonville, CA 95076 The phone number for movie times is 831 761-8200. The web site is www.foxtheatre3.com
Thanks
Lori
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May 28, 2008
New Bloomington theater
BLOOMINGTON, IL — Rataj Krueger Architects, Inc. designed the recently opened Bloomington Galaxy 14 for the Chain of Wehrenberg Theatres. located at 1111 Wylie Drive, Bloomington Illinois 61701.
For more information and photos please see the website.