Lark Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lark Theater
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Lark Theater, 2011
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, California |
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| Architect | William B. David |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Part of | Larkspur Downtown Historic District (ID82000972) |
| Added to NRHP | October 7, 1982 |
The Lark Theater is a cool, old movie theater in Larkspur, California, United States. It has a special design called Art Deco. This theater shows one movie at a time and is a very important building in Larkspur's downtown area.
The Lark Theater's Story
The Lark Theater was built in 1936 by the Blumenfeld family. It was built on the spot where a horse-shoe pit used to be! This theater is a key part of Larkspur's old downtown. It is even called a "Larkspur Heritage Building." This means it is a special building that helps tell the town's history. It is also part of the Larkspur Downtown Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which includes important places across the United States.
A talented architect named William B. David designed the Lark. He designed many movie theaters in Northern California. Some of his other theaters, like the Park in Lafayette, California and the Noyo in Willits, California, also have short, four-letter names, just like the Lark!
The Lark Theater is the only building in Larkspur with the unique Art Deco style. When it first opened, it could seat 400 people. It also had both heating and air conditioning, which was quite modern for the time. Its bright neon sign and tall tower are typical details for movie theaters built in the 1930s. The two small buildings next to the theater were originally used for offices and storage.
Saving and Reopening the Lark
Over many years, the Lark Theater showed all kinds of movies. It showed new movies and also special "art-house" films. But by the late 1990s, the building was empty and needed many repairs. The theater had been closed for five years. It was even planned to be torn down in 2003.
That is when local people started a campaign to "Save the Lark." They worked hard to raise enough money. They wanted to fix the theater's inside and outside. They also made sure to use materials that were safe for the environment. Local experts gave their time for free. Volunteers, led by Bernice Baeza, worked to make the Lark look beautiful again. Because of these efforts, the Lark Theater won an award in 2005. It was also certified as a "green business." Later, a group called Lark Theater LLC was able to buy the building. This group is a non-profit organization, which means they use their money to help the community, not to make a profit.
On July 9, 2004, the Lark Theater opened its doors again. It became a community center for films and culture. The first movie shown was Impact, a classic film from 1949. Parts of this movie were actually filmed in Larkspur! The theater now has 205 seats, fewer than before.
Since reopening, the Lark has offered many cultural programs. These include new movies, independent films, and old classics. They also have an annual Youth Film Festival for young filmmakers. The theater broadcasts important events, like presidential debates. It also hosts fundraisers for local schools and other non-profit groups. You can also find panel discussions and live music performances there.
In November 2012, the theater got a new, very clear digital projector. The sound system was also updated to be even better. The theater also has special speakers and sound equipment for live shows. This allows them to host live performances on their small stage.
