Tag Archives: films

Kurt Cobain’s first public show was here

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The theater then church at 5441 South M Street has seen better days. It was constructed in 1924 as an early movie theater with 500 seats. Their first movie was Lights Out. On October 6, 1930 there was extensive damage when a bomb went off (there must be a story there!). Per the Tacoma Public Library, Kurt Cobain and the rock band Skid Row (later Nirvana) played their first public show here! Online information indicates that Templo Maranatha now owns the space.

Go here to see photographs of the property when it was new, http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/buildings/bldg1up.asp?n=19979

Thanks Tacoma Public Library!

The Grand Cinema, another thing that makes Tacoma great!

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I’ve been wanting to see the Woody Allen’s new movie Midnight in Paris and today was the day.  It is playing exclusively at the Grand Cinema at 606 South Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma, WA and that is great, since it is one of my favorite theaters.  It was a wonderful movie that made me want to book a ticket to Paris right away.  I was especially glad to see it since my book group is reading Tender is the Night this year and F.  Scott Fitzgerald is one of the characters in the film.

To see more about the movie, go here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1605783/

The Grand Cinema is a nonprofit, art house theater and its mission is to enhance the cultural vitality of the community through the art of film.   Their selection of movies is very thoughtful and they show films that often just aren’t available any place else in Pierce County.  In addition their theaters are comfortable, the snacks extra good and the mostly volunteer staff is excellent!

The Grand’s website is here:

http://www.grandcinema.com/