It's been 80 years since venerated downtown landmark the Tampa Theatre first opened its doors, and the old girl is definitely showing her age. On Wednewday, the theater marks the anniversary with a lecture by film historians Ross Melnick and Andreas Fuchs. Titled 1926/2006, the presentation will focus on how filmgoing has changed over the last 80 years, and the role of old movie palaces like the Tampa Theatre in the future of cinema. The speakers will also add some "personal insights" into their book Cinema Treasures: A New Look at Classic Movie Theatres. The event is being hosted by Restoration, the Tampa Theatre's new volunteer committee that aims to bring the old beauty back to her 1920s glory and keep her that way for generations to come. 7 p.m., Wed., April 19, $25 ($20 for members), Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., Tampa, 813-274-8981, www.tampatheatre.org.
This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2006.
