A group in Virginia has saved the NORVA theater in Norfolk and now is going to reopen the long closed NATIONAL in Richmond,Va.Go the the VA section and ck them out.I am not thrilled with the way the main floor is going to be at the National,but atleast it will be saved and used.I have wondered if a similar concert use could be a vehicle to save the UTAH.I loved the place in my college years in UT.There aren’t many grand places left that are worth saving,but the UTAH surely is.When I think of the long list of great theaters in SLC that are just GONE,it is a crime.I went to the grand BYRD theater in Richmond,Va Sat.night to se WILD HOGS (again),just to experience the thrill of a REAL,GRAND movie palace.We are so much the poorer for the lack of these experiences.
BIG article in Richmond Times-Dispatch on Tues.5/29.Pictures show renovations in progress and discuss extensive work being done and new equipment being installed.This includes new stage area,orchestra pit,,dressing rooms,etc.New projection equipment is included in the 5.8 million dollar project.New seating total will be only 400.The theater will be used for community cultural events across the board,plus film festivals.Henrico County is the owner and Amy Pudue,cultural arts coordinator for the county seems to have a real passion for the edifice and its place in the community.Total square footage goes from 11,000 sq ft.to 17,800 in the finished product.GRAND-reopening is scheduled for Oct.
I saw a comment on the KSL news website that indicated this theater “may"be going to become part of the news "arts” district,with the realty arm of the LDS church getting involved.I hope that wasn’t just a puff of smoke.
BIG SHINDIG there last Fri.The Dr.Laura radio show broadcast from there with a full house of mostly military wifes in a honor the military families themed show.
HORRIBLE NEWS!!Gutted by a fire reported at 3 am today.Roof collapsed and bldg.is total loss.A terrible blow to the town.A REAL treasure gone.Source-KSL.SLC NEWS
HORRIBLE NEWS!!Gutted by a fire reported at 3 am today.Roof collapsed and bldg.is total loss.A terrible blow to the town.A REAL treasure gone.Source-KSL.SLC NEWS
The new issue of RICHMOND MAGAZINE has a great article on the renovation.Good pictures of interior.Detailed plans,dates and future laid out.Pictures of the visionary guys behind this project.Check it out.This is a beautiful theaster that has miraculously survived when most around it,including it’s grander neighbor,bit the dust.The interior is just elegant.I totally disagree with their plans to leave the main floor seatless,but,it ain’t my millions.
The new issue of RICHMOND MAGAZINE has a great article on the renovation.Good pictures of interior.Detailed plans,dates and future laid out.Pictures of the visionary guys behind this project.Check it out.This is a beautiful theaster that has miraculously survived when most around it,including it’s grander neighbor,bit the dust.The interior is just elegant.I totally disagree with their plans to leave the main floor seatless,but,it ain’t my millions.
In reading through the Charlotte listings,it’s almost like some evil force decreeed the demolishing/destruction of the beauty and heritage once extant.NC has suffered more than VA.,and the remnants there are sadly few.When compared to Richmond and Norfolk,the NC cities look bare.Raleigh,Greensboro,Durham,Charlotte,etc.-you can count on one hand any notable bldgs left.Just between the 2 VA cities mentiones-it takes TWO hands.We have the grand Byrd,a bit of real time travel.For two bucks,it’s back to the future.Atleast you can go to Kannapolis,but it isn’t in the same league with the Byrd.
I wish I could remember the reference,but there was another theater in the Grove.I remember an article referencing it as a silent film house running in the earky 20’s.If I’m wrong or senile,delete this,as I don’t want to appear less sharp than I already may be.
The new 4 plex is across the street and “sort of” in the next block.Address should be close,but an odd number.I was actually in Culpepper again today,on business.The State is really quite a large theater for such a small town.
This theater continues UNcared for and gets more depressing by the month.There is a none-too active effort to save the place.They are a 501c group.Have a tiny window display in an office two blocks away.Culpepper(downtown)is SO charming,so full of girlie crap stores(sorry)that it cries out for a playhouse and venue,as proposed.The size is right,the growth of the area makes for a good future.I hope they get moving before major failures in the bldg.occur.By the way,the diner on the corner a block down is a real time warp-even have a juke box.
It has been closed since April,when the house of cards collapsed.The fun bunch in charge after the fall,tried to get the historical landmark designations tossed out so they could tear the place down,sell off part of the property for a bundle,build 2 smaller theaters(sure).Today’s Herald says they are giving up on that sceme,trying to come up with a plan and start fund raising.I don’t think ANYONE who had a part in running this treasure into the ground should be left in any position of responsibilty.It took a LOT of arrogance,disrespect of the public and plain stupidity to destroy what had been such a sure-fire winner.The effette elitests that tried to cram works down the public throat that weren’t going to be swallowed deserve to be locked out of any future role.
Mr.Wood’s comments on the 1927 air conditioning system reminded me that Jax,till a few years ago,had a Jr.high named after the most vital inventor after Edison,Bell and Farnsworth-John Gorrie-the inventor of AC.Praise to the man.My late father went there in the 30’s.
Theaters like this-and the bigger,grander Byrd in Richmond-must be “treasured”,used,talked up,and used as often as possible.I wish I had a nickel for everytime I’ve told people to go to the Byrd for a NEW experience(for most).This theater ib Cannon Villiage should be viable,but don’t be complacent.The ONE item I wish this site offered would be a seperate list of REAL theaters that still show scheduled shows.Movie palaces are a rare thing now,we need to know where the active ones are w/o plowing through lists of vacant lots.
THIS THEATER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO OPEN.It has been restored,first by one man’s effort,then finished by a community effort.On 11-10-06,it reopened with a production.The DESERET MORNING NEWS article of 12-1 gives a good account,including pictures.This effort goes along with a real effort to turn the old downtown of Magna into something.
Up the street and around the corner on Campbell Ave.were 3 other grand to near-grand theaters that are largely forgotten.Those were the Music Acedemy,Rialto and HUGE Roanoke theater.There are pictures availible,if MR MEMORY,the all seeing wizard could get them.I got them from TWIG of old Roanoke site.He has a rich stack of old theater pictures.The 3 mentioned were gone by the late 50’s.Why?The destruction of the Jeffereson was totally senseless.I am told by one OLD timer,that back in the 1st half of the 20th century,people would find the theaters on Campbell Ave.and the American,very handy for those times when they were changing trains in Roanoke,or spending the night to catch a train out the nxt.day.Roanoke’s railroad heritage is a rich one.
I’ve got a shot of the interior from the OLD ROANOKE website showing how ornate the place was before a “modernization” dulled down the place.I saw a lot of movies there before it became a vacant lot.1776 was probably the most memorable.It made a good companion for the larger,el grande,American two blocks North.
A group in Virginia has saved the NORVA theater in Norfolk and now is going to reopen the long closed NATIONAL in Richmond,Va.Go the the VA section and ck them out.I am not thrilled with the way the main floor is going to be at the National,but atleast it will be saved and used.I have wondered if a similar concert use could be a vehicle to save the UTAH.I loved the place in my college years in UT.There aren’t many grand places left that are worth saving,but the UTAH surely is.When I think of the long list of great theaters in SLC that are just GONE,it is a crime.I went to the grand BYRD theater in Richmond,Va Sat.night to se WILD HOGS (again),just to experience the thrill of a REAL,GRAND movie palace.We are so much the poorer for the lack of these experiences.
SHOULD change listing to closed/renovating
BIG article in Richmond Times-Dispatch on Tues.5/29.Pictures show renovations in progress and discuss extensive work being done and new equipment being installed.This includes new stage area,orchestra pit,,dressing rooms,etc.New projection equipment is included in the 5.8 million dollar project.New seating total will be only 400.The theater will be used for community cultural events across the board,plus film festivals.Henrico County is the owner and Amy Pudue,cultural arts coordinator for the county seems to have a real passion for the edifice and its place in the community.Total square footage goes from 11,000 sq ft.to 17,800 in the finished product.GRAND-reopening is scheduled for Oct.
I saw a comment on the KSL news website that indicated this theater “may"be going to become part of the news "arts” district,with the realty arm of the LDS church getting involved.I hope that wasn’t just a puff of smoke.
BIG SHINDIG there last Fri.The Dr.Laura radio show broadcast from there with a full house of mostly military wifes in a honor the military families themed show.
HEY!Atleast I beat you to the story.(Delete this after reading)
HORRIBLE NEWS!!Gutted by a fire reported at 3 am today.Roof collapsed and bldg.is total loss.A terrible blow to the town.A REAL treasure gone.Source-KSL.SLC NEWS
HORRIBLE NEWS!!Gutted by a fire reported at 3 am today.Roof collapsed and bldg.is total loss.A terrible blow to the town.A REAL treasure gone.Source-KSL.SLC NEWS
The new issue of RICHMOND MAGAZINE has a great article on the renovation.Good pictures of interior.Detailed plans,dates and future laid out.Pictures of the visionary guys behind this project.Check it out.This is a beautiful theaster that has miraculously survived when most around it,including it’s grander neighbor,bit the dust.The interior is just elegant.I totally disagree with their plans to leave the main floor seatless,but,it ain’t my millions.
The new issue of RICHMOND MAGAZINE has a great article on the renovation.Good pictures of interior.Detailed plans,dates and future laid out.Pictures of the visionary guys behind this project.Check it out.This is a beautiful theaster that has miraculously survived when most around it,including it’s grander neighbor,bit the dust.The interior is just elegant.I totally disagree with their plans to leave the main floor seatless,but,it ain’t my millions.
Blurb in news says that John Travolta is having his HOG from the movie auctioned for the benefit of the restoration.How nice.
WHAT is left of that grand interior?Does anyone have a clue?
–=
In reading through the Charlotte listings,it’s almost like some evil force decreeed the demolishing/destruction of the beauty and heritage once extant.NC has suffered more than VA.,and the remnants there are sadly few.When compared to Richmond and Norfolk,the NC cities look bare.Raleigh,Greensboro,Durham,Charlotte,etc.-you can count on one hand any notable bldgs left.Just between the 2 VA cities mentiones-it takes TWO hands.We have the grand Byrd,a bit of real time travel.For two bucks,it’s back to the future.Atleast you can go to Kannapolis,but it isn’t in the same league with the Byrd.
I wish I could remember the reference,but there was another theater in the Grove.I remember an article referencing it as a silent film house running in the earky 20’s.If I’m wrong or senile,delete this,as I don’t want to appear less sharp than I already may be.
The new 4 plex is across the street and “sort of” in the next block.Address should be close,but an odd number.I was actually in Culpepper again today,on business.The State is really quite a large theater for such a small town.
Good article Mr.K,but the “progress” just doesn’t show.Doesn’t even look like the doors have been opened for weeks,atleast.
This theater continues UNcared for and gets more depressing by the month.There is a none-too active effort to save the place.They are a 501c group.Have a tiny window display in an office two blocks away.Culpepper(downtown)is SO charming,so full of girlie crap stores(sorry)that it cries out for a playhouse and venue,as proposed.The size is right,the growth of the area makes for a good future.I hope they get moving before major failures in the bldg.occur.By the way,the diner on the corner a block down is a real time warp-even have a juke box.
ALAS,this house is closed again.Efforts are being made to raise funds for repairs needed to reopen.
It has been closed since April,when the house of cards collapsed.The fun bunch in charge after the fall,tried to get the historical landmark designations tossed out so they could tear the place down,sell off part of the property for a bundle,build 2 smaller theaters(sure).Today’s Herald says they are giving up on that sceme,trying to come up with a plan and start fund raising.I don’t think ANYONE who had a part in running this treasure into the ground should be left in any position of responsibilty.It took a LOT of arrogance,disrespect of the public and plain stupidity to destroy what had been such a sure-fire winner.The effette elitests that tried to cram works down the public throat that weren’t going to be swallowed deserve to be locked out of any future role.
Mr.Wood’s comments on the 1927 air conditioning system reminded me that Jax,till a few years ago,had a Jr.high named after the most vital inventor after Edison,Bell and Farnsworth-John Gorrie-the inventor of AC.Praise to the man.My late father went there in the 30’s.
Theaters like this-and the bigger,grander Byrd in Richmond-must be “treasured”,used,talked up,and used as often as possible.I wish I had a nickel for everytime I’ve told people to go to the Byrd for a NEW experience(for most).This theater ib Cannon Villiage should be viable,but don’t be complacent.The ONE item I wish this site offered would be a seperate list of REAL theaters that still show scheduled shows.Movie palaces are a rare thing now,we need to know where the active ones are w/o plowing through lists of vacant lots.
I got this off Grant Smith’s utahtheaters site.Any cinema fan will find good stuff there.
THIS THEATER NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO OPEN.It has been restored,first by one man’s effort,then finished by a community effort.On 11-10-06,it reopened with a production.The DESERET MORNING NEWS article of 12-1 gives a good account,including pictures.This effort goes along with a real effort to turn the old downtown of Magna into something.
Up the street and around the corner on Campbell Ave.were 3 other grand to near-grand theaters that are largely forgotten.Those were the Music Acedemy,Rialto and HUGE Roanoke theater.There are pictures availible,if MR MEMORY,the all seeing wizard could get them.I got them from TWIG of old Roanoke site.He has a rich stack of old theater pictures.The 3 mentioned were gone by the late 50’s.Why?The destruction of the Jeffereson was totally senseless.I am told by one OLD timer,that back in the 1st half of the 20th century,people would find the theaters on Campbell Ave.and the American,very handy for those times when they were changing trains in Roanoke,or spending the night to catch a train out the nxt.day.Roanoke’s railroad heritage is a rich one.
I’ve got a shot of the interior from the OLD ROANOKE website showing how ornate the place was before a “modernization” dulled down the place.I saw a lot of movies there before it became a vacant lot.1776 was probably the most memorable.It made a good companion for the larger,el grande,American two blocks North.