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News & ArtsMonday, November 29, 2010
Film / Breaking News Neptune Theater to Close, Reopen as Live Performance Venue
Posted by Lindy West on Mon, Nov 29, 2010 at 11:24 AM
As I reported last week, rumors were circulating about the possible closure of the Neptune Theater. At the time, Landmark had no comment.
Today, they sent out this official statement:
“We will cease operation of the Neptune in February 2011. It saddens us to leave this historical landmark in Seattle.”- Ted Mundorff, Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Theatres
Over the weekend, a Landmark employee, who asked to remain anonymous, told me:
Apparently STG is taking it over and turning it into a music/performance venue of some sort. Fucking lame.
And here's a link to the building permit, filed by STG, which cites “Tenant improvement of existing movie theater into live music theater/nightclub.” (Thanks, Slog tipper Susan.)
Fucking lame indeed. But at least maybe this means the marquee will stay up? I love that trident thingy. More information as I know more.
Also, credit to Amy DeZellar, who broke the story on her blog last week.
1
Actually, when you think about it, this will make a rocking music and theater venue.
Looking forward to MGMT and some local acts that show up on RainyDawg to perform there.
Looking forward to MGMT and some local acts that show up on RainyDawg to perform there.
4
Agree that Neptune was fine in its day, but it needs significant work - I think it would be easier to make it into a great theater / nightclub than to "cush it up" to compete with the more modern (i.e., 3D capable) film venues.
6
That's a big room for live music. I've always been puzzled by the paucity of live music venues in walking distance of the U-District (note: The Blue Moon is not a live music venue).
7
@6
Really?
Better tell Jason Jospehes this news as he's been booking live music there for many years.
Really?
Better tell Jason Jospehes this news as he's been booking live music there for many years.
8
WTF with the "fucking lame"? Would people prefer Some national uber corporate movie theatre company buy it, vivesevt the place, and turn it into a 35 theatre aethetic abomination? Or we could let Paul Allen of some condo king douche tear the whole place down for a piece of shit real estate venture.
STG or some other live venue group is the best option for maintaining the building's historic character. The only thing lame is most of stuff STG brings to Seattle instead of really interesting live performances. But this fucking lame response is the lamest. Fuck you.
STG or some other live venue group is the best option for maintaining the building's historic character. The only thing lame is most of stuff STG brings to Seattle instead of really interesting live performances. But this fucking lame response is the lamest. Fuck you.
9
I was at the Neptune on Friday, and while it's sad that they're closing it down as a movie theater, you've got to admit that the place needs a lot of work. I mean, the seats are awful and the whole place looks generally run down. That could work for a music venue, but as a movie theater it just can't compete. I'm not sure that a venue will work all that well there, but it beats boarded up and vacant.
10
@8: Those are the only options? People aren't allowed to be bummed out when an old neighborhood staple shuts down? Calm yourself.
I'm sure STG will do something lovely with it. Personally, I'm just more of a movie-watching person than a live-music-attending person.
I'm sure STG will do something lovely with it. Personally, I'm just more of a movie-watching person than a live-music-attending person.
12
@5 how is a venue lamer?
Becuase theres already competition for this.
Whats different from this stage venue vs all the others in the city? Not much. How is it going to draw small plays to use its venue if theres already a dozen others in the city? How can one compete in the U-Dist when you already have on-campus student run venues?
Its a tough sell. If the Neptune wants to survive, it needs to be something other than a common stage venue.
Becuase theres already competition for this.
Whats different from this stage venue vs all the others in the city? Not much. How is it going to draw small plays to use its venue if theres already a dozen others in the city? How can one compete in the U-Dist when you already have on-campus student run venues?
Its a tough sell. If the Neptune wants to survive, it needs to be something other than a common stage venue.
13
According to Sound Transit that whole block is slated to become the North Link light rail station. I guess the reasoning behind STG is that the North Link hasn't been funded yet and is only a Light Rail dream? I had assumed the block would be demolished. Maybe not 'til 2014.
http://www.soundtransit.org/Projects-Hom…
http://www.soundtransit.org/Projects-Hom…
14
This is definitely a bad-news good-news situation, as far as I'm concerned. I will be sad to see the Neptune go, but this could be a fantastic venue along the lines of Columbia City Theater. Looking forward to seeing what STG does with it.
15
Great. As it is now, frat kids don't have enough places to splatter with puke within walking distance of the University.
So glad that need will be filled now.
/sarcasm
So glad that need will be filled now.
/sarcasm
17
Thanks, Hernandez. I had no concept of a train station being built without the demolition above. Engineering is a feat I can't quite grasp.
18
Also, timing is good, since the HUB is shut down right now for a while, and the lack of Husky Stadium means less places to perform to crowds.
The station will have an exit about a block away from it (the one at 43rd and Roosevelt). Easy walking distance.
The station will have an exit about a block away from it (the one at 43rd and Roosevelt). Easy walking distance.
19
Hey Lindy, what is SIFF's reaction to all this? That's two of their usual venues closing in the span of a month. Do we know if they are paring down, or if they're going to have different venues?
23
Are Lindy and Eric going to fight now?
They should turn it into a Bollywood and Mexican theater instead.
They should turn it into a Bollywood and Mexican theater instead.
24
@13 & 16,
It looks like the station will be a "cut and cover" design within the Brooklyn Ave right of way, with existing buildings on the east and west sides of the roadway to remain..."tod" not included. Maggie, cut and cover is how they built the 3rd Ave transit tunnel, and what they are currently doing on Cap Hill.
http://www.soundtransit.org/Projects-Hom…
And count me as another person curious about what STG will do with the space. First impression is I like the idea.
It looks like the station will be a "cut and cover" design within the Brooklyn Ave right of way, with existing buildings on the east and west sides of the roadway to remain..."tod" not included. Maggie, cut and cover is how they built the 3rd Ave transit tunnel, and what they are currently doing on Cap Hill.
http://www.soundtransit.org/Projects-Hom…
And count me as another person curious about what STG will do with the space. First impression is I like the idea.
25
The Nep was one of my favorite movie theaters ever, ,and if I had to pick one place in the world to see a movie, that would be it. You can have your stadium seats and drink holders; I'll take the center section aisle seat, 4th row from the front, left aisle. Roll me a classic from the film calendar days; maybe "Casablanca," or a John Waters, or "The Meaning of Life," and I'm home again.
That said, keeping the building in use as an entertainment venue is something to be thankful for. It could have easily gone the way of the Colisevm (major makeover, no more celluloid) or the Music Hall (dust).
And if I remember right, wasn't it Paul Allen that revitalized the Cinerama? Seems like the wrong place to be dissing him.
That said, keeping the building in use as an entertainment venue is something to be thankful for. It could have easily gone the way of the Colisevm (major makeover, no more celluloid) or the Music Hall (dust).
And if I remember right, wasn't it Paul Allen that revitalized the Cinerama? Seems like the wrong place to be dissing him.
27
Why can't the Landmark employee think it's "Fucking Lame" that they, or their fellow employees, might be losing their jobs?
28
@4 it does have 3D capabilities. obviously you haven't seen a movie there in more than 2 years. maybe if you had it wouldn't be closing.
and thank you to #27 for being the first to mention all of the employees who will be loosing their jobs. it is certainly not their fault that landmark so mismanaged this jewel of a theater.
and thank you to #27 for being the first to mention all of the employees who will be loosing their jobs. it is certainly not their fault that landmark so mismanaged this jewel of a theater.
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