Digital Cinema @ The Balboa Theatre

Historic Balboa Theatre Unveils State-of-the-Art Cinematic Experience in Downtown San Diego!

I’m a huge movie fanatic, and I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing the superb digital cinema at the Balboa Theatre earlier this week when I discovered they were screening the movie Tupac Resurrection, so I ordered tickets online. Having just watched both the hip-hop/urban fashion documentary Fresh Dressed a few days earlier as well as the great movie Straight Outta Compton, I was looking forward to hearing about one of the iconic hip-hop artists of our time. It was a great movie, with Tupac himself it seemed narrating the movie, based on interviews he’s given previously, and was a great look into the lives and times of America through his eyes.

All of the above movies are highly recommended, and Cinema @ Balboa Theatre did not disappoint in its screening; the movie visuals and sound quality were superb. The ticket prices are inexpensive, at $5-10 plus some ticketing fees, still under what most traditional movie theaters charge. The concession stand serves the usual snacks and drinks, plus cocktails from a full bar, which is something you’d have to go to the higher-end theatres to enjoy with a movie, and pay almost twice as much, plus having to drive to get there. The Balboa Theatre can be seen from my office window in the Spreckels Building.

I look forward to more movies at the Balboa Theatre this weekend, with their $5 ticket special using promo code CINEMA so don’t hesitate in picking your favorite movie and buying tickets today. The Cinema @ The Balboa series will preview in September with the following films:

Sun, Sept 20 – 1:00p Frozen: The Sing-Along!
Mon, Sept 21 – 7:00p Tupac Resurrection
Tues, Sept 22 – 7:00p Stop Making Sense
Wed, Sept 23 – 7:00p Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck
Thur, Sept 24 – 7:00p Grease: The Sing and Dance Along!
Fri, Sept 25 – 7:00p Lawrence of Arabia
Sun, Sept 27 – 1:00p Mary Poppins: The Sing-Along!

The historic Balboa Theatre was built in 1924, remodeled in 1934, purchased privately in 1959 to save it from demolition, then purchased by the city in 1986, and remained closed for over 20 years until 2002 when it’s $26.5 Million renovation and rehabilitation was started, and enjoyed it’s grand re-opening in January 2008. The renovation included extensive seismic retro-fit, replacement of all infrastructure including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life safety, ADA accommodations, state-of-the-industry theatrical lighting, audio, rigging and production requirements, and audience accommodations including new seating.

From the Balboa Theatre on their new Digital Cinema @ The Balboa initiative:

“Our vision is simple: combine universal storytelling with interactive, fun, inclusive, and high quality experiences. This builds opportunities for artists and audiences to explore elemental aspects of our shared humanity – compassion, tolerance, and creativity – together. What could be better to get it all started than MUSIC?!

With my friends at the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus ready to help everyone burst into song, I especially welcome our many beautiful LGBTQ families at the Sing and Dance Alongs! Through Lawrence of Arabia and our Film in Focus programming, we partner with the New Americans Museum to advance the idea that we are changed by the world we create. With our inspiring music/concert films we’ll get at the heart of our artists and see ourselves through their visionary eyes.”

Enjoy!