December 11, 2007
New Kabuki Theater to Save Planet Earth, Or Something Like That
Japantown's new Sundance Cinemas Kabuki will offer the more discerning moviegoer (i.e.. people who self-consciously laugh out loud during Shakespeare comedies) something, well, more. Curbed SF has the full rundown on the new movie house that's sure to make you feel even that more self-righteous than you already do while braving the choppy waters of independent film. Check it:
Designed by Berkeley-based ELS architects, the renovation of the former AMC Kabuki 8 utilizes post-consumer recycled woods, repurposed metals, locally reclaimed resources, and live bamboo plants. And although they're not LEED accredited, the theater strives to maintain an eco-friendly facility by recycling and composting its waste.
Wow. The place has yet to show its first preview and we're already more annoyed with the audiences there than at the Embarcadero Cinemas. Who knew such a thing was possible?
But on the plus side? "A special over-21 seating area where guests can pair their fine films with fine wines." Getting smashed at le cinéma universel? A special section where teenagers are verboten? To get a buzz, we no longer have to wait until the lights dim to surreptitiously de-tinfoil a brownie and pop it into our mouth? Wonderful! That is exciting news. And we can't wait to see Japantwon become the new it neighborhood. We've always had a soft spot for the area ever since Japantown Bowl closed up shop. Weep, weep.
Also, this could very well be the theater to go to if you don't want to get murdered. Options: it's what America is all about. See you at the movies, kids.
Image credit: Curbed SF
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I've been inside and it's really quite lovely. Not to be a non-profit schill, but the SF LGBT Community Center is holding a fundraiser at the Kabuki on Thursday night. You can get a sneak peek at the theater, watch a film, and enjoy food and drink for a reasonable donation. Ticket purchasing info is on their website.
I've been inside and it's really quite lovely. Not to be a non-profit schill, but the SF LGBT Community Center is holding a fundraiser at the Kabuki on Thursday night. You can get a sneak peek at the theater, watch a film, and enjoy food and drink for a reasonable donation. Ticket purchasing info is on their website.
I've been inside and it's really quite lovely. Not to be a non-profit schill, but the SF LGBT Community Center is holding a fundraiser at the Kabuki on Thursday night. You can get a sneak peek at the theater, watch a film, and enjoy food and drink for a reasonable donation. Ticket purchasing info is on their website.
At $13.50 per ticket, the least they can let you do is get drunk.
Yet another reason to rely solely on netflix for my entertainment needs.
Agreed, bluecanary. NetFlix and Alluc.org are pretty much all I need now.
We visited it the other day. It does look somewhat nicer, but I find the decor a bit odd. Its like a cross between horse barn and Asian styles. Go figure. Otherwise, it looks pretty much like the old Kabuki to these eyes.
Very nice ... but, with 42" HDTVs going for less than a grand, I don't see how anyone will be going out to the movies within a year or two. And Netflix is a lot greener than driving your car (boo) to park it in a garage (boo) to visit a LEED certified theater (yay) and drink bottled water (boo).
Sweet, I'm glad they are doing this - I hadn't realized this was even in the works!
Sweet, I'm glad they are doing this - I hadn't realized this was even in the works!
Don't we just wish we could rebuild the J-town bowl... sure makes better use of the space than that lame-o condos with a UPS store that rips you off for packing boxes (yep: $30 to stuff a large box with Styrofoam), and an empty retail spot that's been vacant for too many years.
Seeing a movie on a 42" screen at home is nothing like seeing it in a theatre. While I love my Netflix, I will always love going to the theatre more.
Plus, many of us don't drive, or park in the garage, or drink bottled water.
I've been looking forward to the new Kabuki opening. We'll see if it lives up to the hype.
You can thank the "neighborhood activists" in the area for keeping that storefront empty. It was supposed to be a Starbucks, but as everyone knows Starbucks (despite having hundreds of locations across Japan including the world's largest) is not culturally appropriate for a Japan themed neighborhood.
We're off to the Kabuki tomorrow for a whole to-do over Persepolis. I'm quite excited!
Unfortunately, SF will never have something like the Arclight in LA, but this sounds like a step in the right direction. I'm looking forward to checking out New Kabuki soon.