A revamped Logan Theatre and CIMM Fest 2012!

You may have noticed that our beloved neighborhood theatre has undergone a bit of a facelift. The Logan Theatre, a neighborhood staple since 1916, is officially reopened and looking, feeling (and smelling...) better than ever! What makes this revamp so very special is that it's not so much a remodel as a renovation and restoration. Throughout the renovations, stained glass and marble walls were found hidden underneath a yellow, wall-papered cloak. That stained glass and marble has been cleaned and restored to its original splendor and the original design motifs of the 1920s have been re-imagined--a sculptural golden molding surrounds the lobby, carefully painted details of birds and vines are adorning the once defunct women's lounge and the empty store front next door (once IALS's temporary home!) has been transformed into a sleek lounge complete with original sculptural pieces found throughout the theatre.  What everyone no doubt feared when they heard that the Logan was being renovated was "oh no! the prices will go up!"--but fret not! All the beauty and comfort and movie-watching happiness can be enjoyed for only an extra $2 added to the ticket prices! 

The newly renovated Logan Theatre, comfy seats and all
photo © Brooke Herbert Hayes

The Logan Theatre's new & snazzy lounge
photo © Brooke Herbert Hayes

The line for the soft opening on March 17
photo © Brooke Herbert Hayes

And if you haven't yet had the chance to check it out--try it out next week during CIMMfest 2012. CIMMfest, or the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival is a "four-day showcase of outstanding films, energetic concerts, visually stunning VJ/DJ sets, lively Q&A’s, daring live score performances…anything to show just what movies and music mean to each other".  CIMMfest is a unique music and movies festival in that it is centralized in venues around Wicker Park and Logan Square--two neighborhoods with histories of supporting and producing independent musicians and filmmakers.  The movies and music, however, come from all over the globe.  There are live performances, documentaries, music videos, short films and discussions.

The fest kicks off tomorrow, Thursday, April 12 at the Wicker Park Arts Center and continues through the weekend. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you have several chances to stop by the Logan Theatre and check out documentaries and short films. And on Friday night at 7PM, come watch the Les Blank restrosepctive of two of his most well-known films on 16mm. Les Blank will be in person, and you can view the "criminally underseen Ziveli! Medicine for the Heart (1987, 51 min.), which explores the music and culture of the thriving Serbian communities of Chicago and California AND A Well Spent Life (1971, 44 min.)-- Kurt Vonnegut’s favorite film-- a portrait of Texas sharecropper Mance Lipscomb, who just might be the best blues guitarist ever".

Other highlights include performances by Mucca Pazza, a roundtable discussion about the Occupy movement and what it means for filmmakers, several feature documentaries, and much, much more. 

CIMMfest 2012
April 12-15
Various locations throughout Wicker Park & Logan Square 
Prices vary

For more info on the fest and to view the full lineup, check out the CIMMfest website. 
And for showtimes and more info on the Logan Theatre--head to their website or facebook page.

--Brooke Herbert Hayes
www.brookeherbert.com