Fox Theater (Bakersfield, California) facts for kids
Bakersfield Fox Theater
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| Address | 2001 H Street Bakersfield, California |
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| Coordinates | 35°22′39″N 119°01′17″W / 35.37756°N 119.02152°W |
| Owner | Fox Theater Foundation |
| Capacity | 1500 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 25, 1930 |
| Reopened | July 1, 1994 |
| Rebuilt | 1953 |
| Years active | 1930–1977, 1983–1984, 1994–Present |
| Architect | S. Charles Lee |
The Fox Theater is a super cool historic building in downtown Bakersfield, California. It's at 2001 H Street. This theater first opened on Christmas Day in 1930! Today, it's a busy place for all sorts of fun events. You can see ballets, movies, and even live pop and rock concerts here. It's a real community hub!
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The Fox Theater's Early Days
The Fox Theater in Bakersfield opened its doors on December 25, 1930. The very first movie shown was Just Imagine. This was a science fiction film that imagined what the world would be like 50 years in the future. The 1930s were a great time for the Fox Theater. It showed the newest "talkie" movies, which were films with sound. Many famous performers also came to its stage. These included opera singer Lawrence Tibbett and pianist Arthur Rubinstein. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra also performed here.
How the Fox Theater Survived an Earthquake
The Fox Theater was built very strong. It used poured concrete over steel. This special construction helped it survive the 1952 Kern County earthquake. This earthquake shook Bakersfield badly. Many buildings in the city were destroyed, but the Fox Theater stood strong!
Theater Gets a New Look: Art Deco Style
The Fox Theater was one of the first projects by architect S. Charles Lee. The outside of the building looks like Spanish Colonial Revival style. The inside used to match this style. The main room, which could hold 1500 people, was designed to look like an outdoor garden. It had a ceiling with tiny lights like stars. The walls had paintings that looked like countryside scenes.
Even though the building survived the 1952 earthquake, its inside was updated the next year. The old garden theme was changed to a modern Art Moderne style. This was a popular look in the 1950s. A big snack area was added in the lobby. The painted garden walls were removed. But the starry night sky ceiling stayed! The outside also got a new look. It received a new marquee, ticket booth, and entrance. These new parts had bright neon lights and colorful floors. This remodel made the theater look very glamorous, like Hollywood in the 1950s. The movie screen was also updated to a huge, super-wide screen.
The Fox Theater Closes and Reopens
In 1977, after 47 years, the Fox Theater closed. It opened again for a short time in 1983 and 1984. After that, it fell into disrepair until 1994.
Saving the Fox: The Fox Theater Foundation
In 1994, the Fox Theater was in danger of being torn down. A group of people in Bakersfield decided to save it. They started the Fox Theater Foundation. Their "Save the Fox" campaign raised money from over 380 people. This money helped them buy the building. Restoration work began on July 1, 1994.
Celebrating 85 Years of History
On December 25, 2016, the Fox Theater celebrated its 85th birthday! It was a big milestone for this historic building.
The Walk of Stars Program
In 2005, the Fox Theater Foundation started the "Walk of Stars" program. This program helps raise money to keep the theater in great shape. People can buy special stars that are placed at the theater. These stars have the donor's name or company logo on them. There are different sizes and prices for the stars. The money helps pay for ongoing repairs and improvements.
A Big Party for the 75th Anniversary
The Fox Theater had a huge party for its 75th anniversary. It was called the Black Tie Gala. The party celebrated the theater's long history and all the entertainment it had hosted. Guests enjoyed live music and a slideshow about the theater's past. There was also dinner and dancing. A special raffle was held for a diamond pendant. All the money from the raffle went to the Fox Theater Foundation.
The Fox Theater Today
Today, the Fox Theater is a very important part of downtown Bakersfield's arts scene. It hosts FLICS, which is Bakersfield's foreign film program. This program shows the best foreign movies each year. In 2006, FLICS celebrated its 25th season at the Fox Theater. The California rock band Black Veil Brides filmed part of their music video for "Rebel Love Song" in front of the theater in 2011. The theater also hosts many other events. These include local dance shows, school graduations, business meetings, and even Russian ballet performances.
See Also
