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Theaters
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May 27, 2014
SIFF makes theatre moves
SEATTLE, WA — At their Opening Night Gala, not only did the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) announce they’ve acquired a lease for the Egyptian Theatre, closed for the past year, but they’ve also purchased the Uptown. The one-time film festival will now have even more robust year-round exhibitions.
Read the full story in the Seattle Times.
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May 26, 2014
Batesville gem faces its fate
BATESVILLE, IN — The clock is ticking for the Gibson Theatre as today is the last day for the theatre’s kickstarter campaign to raise money for a digital projector. The 93 year-old theatre could close in a matter of months if they don’t raise $15K.
Read more and watch a video on this at WISHTV.
(Thanks to Bill Eichelberger for providing the photo.)
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May 23, 2014
Tiny Texas movie theater asks for help to convert
HEMPSTEAD, TX — The 200-seat Hempstead Theater has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a digital projector. The family-run operation is looking for $85K to make the jump. Religious films have helped them pay the bills but getting back to having multiple first-run options is what they really need to survive.
Read more in the Chron.
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May 22, 2014
A visit to the rebuilt Lebowsky Center
OWOSSO, MI — Last weekend, Ivonne and I took in “Shrek the Musical” at the rebuilt Lebowsky Center. We picked up our tickets at the adjacent Studio Theatre entrance then entered the theater through the new inside hallway to enter the enlarged theater lobby. Upstairs, the upper lobby was also enlarged as it absorbed the upstairs office space so there is now a view of Main Street above the marquee. Inside the theater, the rebuilt theater is state of the art and that includes the fire supression system with sprinklers all over the facility. You can still see scars from the 2007 fire on and adjacent to the proscenium arch.
Because of the enlarged lobby and the addition of stadium seating and a large handicapped seating area, there are now 500 seats. Additional movable seats can be added in the handicapped area and the side boxes. As for the 500 permanent seats, they are retro style and extremely comfortable. As for the show we took in, “Shrek the Musical,” it was great! The Lebowsky Center in Owosso attracts theater goers in the nearby Flint and Lansing areas as well as the local Owosso/Corunna areas.
— Gary Flinn
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May 20, 2014
Cinema last to switch to digital projectors in the area
ROCHESTER, NY — Rochester’s oldest single-screen is going digital with the conversion of the Cinema Theater. A mix of donations and fundraising campaigns led to the change.
Read more in the Democrat & Chronicle.
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May 19, 2014
Unique Cameo Theatre is gem of downtown Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, NC — A loyal community has been the foundation for success at the Cameo Art Theatre. Playing a mix of independent and mainstream flicks, the theatre has weathered many storms and should be there for generations to come thanks to new digital projectors.
Read more at WNCN.
(Thanks to jeterga for providing the photo.)
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May 14, 2014
Strand still shines after 90 years
ROCKLAND, ME — The landmark gem, the Strand Theatre, seems to be better than ever thanks to a loyal community. By being a truly independent theatre, they’re able to book what their fans really want with everything from esoteric documentaries to art-house hits.
Read the full success story in the Press Herald.
(Thanks to wsasser for providing the photo.)
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May 12, 2014
Key designer of Radio City Music Hall remembered
A new book is out about artist and sculptor Hildreth Meière who barely anyone knows as the designer of the three roundels on the side of Radio City Music Hall. A prolific muralist as well, she also did work at the Nebraska State Capitol and The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
Go to the Atlantic to read the full story on this forgotten genius.
(Thanks to Ken Roe for providing the photo.)
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May 6, 2014
Michigan man builds theater empire
The Detroit Free Press did a feature recently about Paul Glantz, a local man with a finance background that built the Emagine chain. Now 12 years later, they’re still bringing in crowds by keeping up with technology every step of the way.
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May 5, 2014
Santa Monica theater upgrades could touch Laemmle too
SANTA MONICA, CA — With all the buzz about new ArcLights coming to Santa Monica, Laemmle didn’t want to be left behind. They’re proposing adding more screens but reducing overall seats in an effort to modernize the complex.
Read more in L.A. Biz.