Latest news with #SeanSeifert
Axios
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
See Star Wars, E.T. and other nostalgic blockbusters at Uptown's oldest theatre
Carolina Theatre is paying tribute to the years it was dark with a film series, screening nostalgic blockbusters from the era following its closure. Why it matters: Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" will lead the series. It was the final movie the theatre showed in 1978 before shuttering for 50 years. Catch up quick: Over the past decade, Foundation for the Carolinas has worked to renovate the 1927 Carolina Theatre. It reopened in March. What they're saying: " We can never get those 'lost years' back," says Sean Seifert, Carolina Theatre's executive director. "But we can recreate the decades gone by with the nostalgia that will always live here." See the movie schedule below. All showtimes are 7pm unless otherwise noted. Sunday, June 8, 2pm: "Fist of Fury" Thursday, June 12: "Rocky II" (1979) Thursday, June 19: "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) Thursday, June 26: "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981) Thursday, July 3: "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" (1982) Thursday, July 10: "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" (1983) Sunday, July 20, 2pm: "Ghostbusters" (1984) Thursday, July 24: "The Goonies" (1985) Thursday, July 31: "Top Gun" (1986) Thursday, Aug. 7: "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987) Thursday, Aug. 14: "Beaches" (1988) Thursday, Aug. 21: "Batman" (1989) Thursday, Aug. 28: "Ghost" (1990)
Axios
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Carolina Theatre reopens in Charlotte after 50 years
Uptown Charlotte's historic Carolina Theatre is set to reopen after nearly 50 years. Why it matters: The restored 906-seat venue will welcome guests again on Monday, March 24, hosting community events, live music, films, and more. What they're saying: "This is Charlotte's theatre. Plain and simple," says Sean Seifert, Carolina Theatre executive director. "We're the community's living room." Driving the news: Foundation For The Carolinas will celebrate with a ribbon cutting on March 24 at 3pm, followed by a free open house until 7pm. Catch up quick: The City of Charlotte sold the theatre to the Foundation For The Carolinas for $1 in 2012. The foundation spent $90 million and eight years restoring the venue, from recreating murals to replicating the old ceilings. The restoration effort to the 1927 theatre was a complex undertaking, project leaders say. Crews discovered hazards in the building, like old lead paint and contaminated underground water. COVID also delayed the progress and inflated construction costs. What's next: The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will perform on Friday, March 28, at 7:30 pm. The orchestra — which had its inaugural concert at the theatre 93 years ago on March 20, 1932 — has named the show "A Homecoming." Local bluegrass musicians Mark and Maggie O'Connor will take the stage on Saturday, March 29 at 8pm. Stop by: 230 N. Tryon St. Tickets are sold at Go deeper: Sneak peek inside
Axios
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Sneak peek: $90M restored Carolina Theatre opening soon
After nearly 50 years, the historic Carolina Theatre in Uptown is set to reopen any day now. Why it matters: No one has enjoyed the theatre since it shuttered in 1978. But soon — after more than a decade of planning and restoration — Foundation For The Carolinas will reopen it as a community-first, nonprofit theatre on the corner of North Tryon and East 6th Street. The big picture: With 906 seats, Carolina Theatre will host speakers, comedy shows, films, plays, weddings and live music — think everything from the symphony to "Star Wars" screenings. Catch up quick: The Foundation took ownership of the theatre in 2012 and began construction in 2017. The restoration proved complicated, with costs soaring to $90 million. A mix of public dollars and donors paid for the project. From lead paint to contaminated water, crews kept uncovering surprises that prolonged construction. The impacts of COVID and permitting delays drew out the process as well. What they're saying: "The attention to details makes it look like this," says Sean Seifert, Carolina Theatre executive. "It's worth the extra time and effort ... to get it right." Although the theatre looks vintage, it's equipped with the latest technology, such as a projection system that wraps around the walls and state-of-the-art sound comparable to AMC. "We like to say we're Charlotte's oldest, newest theatre," adds communications director Jared Misner. Flashback: First opened in 1927, Carolina Theatre hosted legends such as Elvis Presley and "The Sound of Music" in its heyday. It has outlasted time in Charlotte — a city criticized for razing most of its history. Zoom out: A 250-room InterContinental Hotel is planned for construction above the theatre, but the project stalled in 2020. Australian investment firm Salter Brothers holds the rights for two more years to start construction. It did not respond to Axios' request for comment. However, if construction were to begin now, the theatre would have to temporarily close again. What's next: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's spring gala on March 28 is one of the first performances coming to the new Carolina Theatre. More events will be announced soon.
Axios
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra among first to perform at newly restored Carolina Theatre
Carolina Theatre will reopen soon after a $90 million restoration. Why it matters: The historic Uptown theater has been closed since the late 1970s. The project to restore it has taken more than a decade to complete. Driving the news: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will be among the first to perform inside the Carolina Theatre at Belk Place. Its spring gala, entitled "A Homecoming," will be Friday, March 28, at 7:30pm. Grammy Award-winning soprano Renée Fleming and members of CSO will also perform Tickets for the performance start at $83.85. Tickets for the gala start at $750. The intrigue: This is among Carolina Theatre's first performances, but it's unclear if it will be the first. More information about Carolina Theatre's reopening will be available in the coming weeks, per a Carolina Theatre spokesperson. Flashback: Carolina Theatre (230 N Tryon St.) opened in 1927 and closed in 1978. Charlotte Symphony Orchestra's first performance took place at Carolina Theatre on March 20, 1932. "As a community-first nonprofit theatre, it's no coincidence the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will be among the first to take the stage at the Carolina Theatre," Carolina Theatre executive director Sean Seifert said in a statement. Between the lines: The theater anchors Belk Place, which is named in honor of the Belk family, who are the lead donors for the project. The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County also contributed to the theater's restoration. Go deeper: Inside Uptown's historic theater restoration
