Best Coast at Alhambra Theatre, Portland

June 5, 2015

Los Angeles-based indie rock duo Best Coast, fronted by Bethany Cosentino with multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno, performs at the Alhambra Theatre in Portland. Formed in 2009, the band quickly gained acclaim for their sun-drenched, lo-fi sound that blended 1960s surf rock and girl group melodies with a 90s pop-punk edge. This photo captures them during their 2015 tour, shortly after the release of their third album, California Nights. Known for their lyrics centered on romance, summer, and California life, their performance at the historic Alhambra offered a perfect pairing of sound and setting.

Opened in 1913, the Alhambra Theatre has been a fixture of the Hawthorne district for over a century. Over the years, it has operated under various names, including the Mt. Tabor Theater, and has evolved from a movie house to a vibrant live music venue. Its enduring presence makes it a classic Portland spot to experience a show, located at 4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR.

Garden Theater, Willow Glen

August 23, 2013

The Garden Theatre is a cherished Art Deco landmark in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose. Opened in 1949, it served as the community’s beloved local cinema for decades, a place where generations of residents gathered to watch films. Its classic marquee and facade stand as a beautiful example of mid-century theater design, echoing a time when San Jose was known as “The Garden City.”

Though it no longer operates as a movie theater, the building has been preserved and repurposed into a retail and office plaza. Its iconic sign and architecture remain a centerpiece of downtown Willow Glen, reminding locals and visitors of its rich history. The preservation of the Garden Theatre ensures that this piece of local heritage continues to be a vital part of the neighborhood’s identity, located at 1165 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA.

Rio Theater Santa Cruz

September 8, 2013

This photo showcases the beautiful marquee and facade of the Rio Theatre, a historic Art Deco landmark located at 1205 Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz. The Rio opened its doors on June 12, 1949, originally as a state-of-the-art movie palace featuring a “Cycloramic” screen designed to create an illusion of depth.

For decades, it served as a beloved local cinema before being transformed into a premier live performance venue. Today, the Rio hosts a diverse array of events, including concerts, comedy shows, film festivals, and community gatherings, making it a vital cultural hub for Santa Cruz County.

The theater’s stunning mid-century design, with its sweeping curves and iconic vertical sign, has been carefully preserved, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the golden age of movie houses while continuing to entertain new generations of audiences.

The Bagdad Theater, Portland

May 25, 2019

An icon of Portland’s Hawthorne District, the Bagdad Theater, located at 3702 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., opened its doors in 1927. With its grand, Moorish-revival architecture, it was designed as an “Oasis for Entertainment.” The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and famously hosted the world premiere of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975. Today, it’s operated by McMenamins as a popular theater pub, continuing its legacy as a landmark of Portland culture.

The Laurelhurst Theater, Portland

December 14, 2017

Opened in 1923 at 2735 E Burnside St, the Laurelhurst Theater was designed by Walter Tebbetts, the same architect behind Portland’s Hollywood and Oriental Theatres. Originally a 700-seat, single-screen cinema, it was praised as one of the city’s most modern suburban movie houses.

After struggling to compete with multiplexes in the 1980s, the theater was purchased and renovated in 2000. Today, the Laurelhurst is a beloved four-screen cinema pub that shows second-run films and serves pizza and local microbrews, earning it numerous “Best of” awards from local publications.

Hollywood Theatre, Portland

May 6, 2015

The Hollywood Theatre is a landmark cinema in Portland’s Hollywood District. Opened in 1926 as a vaudeville and silent film palace, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has become a beloved cultural institution. This photo captures its iconic marquee and ornate facade, which have graced Northeast Sandy Boulevard for nearly a century.

In 1997, the theater was purchased by a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation and the celebration of film. Today, it operates as a community-focused cinema, renowned for its diverse programming, classic film restorations, and its status as the only theater in Oregon equipped for 70mm projection. The Hollywood Theatre stands as a testament to the enduring magic of the movie-going experience, located at 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR.