Tampa Theatre is making its triumphant return with an appropriate holiday classic.
The historic movie house hasn't opened its doors, but it will be hosting a free screening of the Christmas classic "It’s a Wonderful Life" on Dec. 12 as a part of their parkCINEMA program. Held outside at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa, the screening will mark nine months to the day from when Tampa Theatre hosted its last public event before closing down on Mar. 12 due to COVID-19.
Picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged, and local vendors will be supplying the concessions.
“The past eight months have easily been the darkest in Tampa Theatre’s 94-year history,” said Tampa Theatre President and CEO, John Bell. “But just like George Bailey, we have learned how much love and support is reflected back to us from our friends and neighbors, and that—despite the challenges 2020 has presented—we are truly blessed with a wonderful life in our wonderful Tampa community.”
The theater has been showing new, first-run films through its website during the pandemic. It’s also completed HVAC upgrades to improve air quality and circulation, and hopes to reopen its doors in January.
Parties of up to six people will be grouped into one of 40 designated “pods.” Reservations are required, and can be made at eventbrite.com.
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This article appears in Dec 10-16, 2020.