We recently saw Cyndi Lauper here and had wheelchair seating in the back of the main section. The seats were great until the show started and everyone stood up. I'm used to this however and politely asked the gentleman in front of me to stand just a few inches over and then I was able to get glimpses between the two sets of shoulders when she came to that side of the stage. That would have (mostly) worked except no one stayed in their seats and by that I mean that people were coming down from the much higher (and cheaper) seats to stand and crowd directly in front of the stage. People were in the aisles and all up against the stage for the entire show with not one word from the staff. Aside from the obvious fire hazard, the people who paid for the expensive seats now found their view blocked. The people in front of me kept having to shift to see and that meant that I spent most of the show staring at their shirts. The no photos or recording policy was blatantly disregarded as well; there was a guy who recorded the entire show not 5 feet from a security guard. I guess I shouldn't complain about that because some of my best glimpses of her came from phone screens. Guess next time I'll pay a lot less and then just shove my way to the front like everyone else. The staff doesn't seem to care.
Review Source:June 7,8th was the EXTRABBAGANZA concert performed by the Sacramento Gay Mens Chorus The performance was awesome even thought the Crest was not constructed for a Choral performance and lacked any acoustical value. Â To compound the lack of projection of voices due to this construction flaw, the dumb-ass sound manager refused to let them set up microphones within the chorus. This amateur decision caused the seats to the back of the theater to strain to hear some of the numbers. The soloists were up and down in volume also. Â Fire the sound manager!!!. I hope this person is not employed when future live musical acts such as The Fab Four Beatles Tribute Band come to town.
Review Source:The Cinematic Screenplay For My "Memory Lane"
SITREP
The Crest Theatre was the very first theater I ever ventured into when I came to Sacramento back in 1986. Â The better part of these last three (3) decades, the Crest has been an icon for me of all the cool stuff that I've done on K Street Mall.
THE SETUP
What "cool stuff", you may ask? Â EVERYTHING! Â Ranging from Film Festivals & Concerts to Circus Performances & Zombie Apocalypse Walks, etc. etc. Â If it was something cutting-edge, alternative & fun, you could always count on the Crest to be a venue up for the task!
  FILM
  The category that makes the most sense to start with since The Crest Theater is a "theater", after all would be to mention the fun film festivals that I've enjoyed here.  If there is an Independent Film Festival, a Foreign Film Festival, or even a Science Film Festival, then this would be the place to come!
  - Trash Film Orgy (TFO) - the brain-child of madman Mr. Lobo, this has been a lot of fun for me and my friends over the years.  Very eclectic and dynamic films would be premiered here in all their bloody gory...I mean, "glory", and we would LAUGH and WINCE and SCREAM in hysterics because of the fun madness coming at us from the screen.
  - SciFi - One of my most memorable moments here was meeting the late Irvin Kerschner, Director of the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.  Since 1980, I had kept preserved in class - as perfectly as possible - my original EMPIRE STRIKES BOX movie poster that I absconded with from the FOX MOVIE THEATER in Washington, D.C.  flash forward almost two decades later, I was getting a chance to meet the man who directed the film itself!
    When I met him, he was very bemused that I had an original movie poster, and he was even more jovial when I told him that my screenwriting instructor at that time was Jeremy Bullock, the actor who played Boba Fett in EMPIRE and RETURN.  He graciously offered to sign my poster in the white part of Darth Vader's helmet on the poster.  I STILL am elated to this day that I have met two such incredible icons from what is to me the BEST movie in the entire Star Wars franchise.  [Props to the Late Irwin Kershner who was such a wonderful movie director in the Star Wars, Robocop and James Bond film franchises.]
  MUSIC
  - VIXEN - I had such a hard on for this flash-in-the-pan heavy-metal all-girl band.  And I got to meet all the girls here at the Crest.  Great concert energy.  AND THEN go dancing with them afterwards.  Such a memorable night.  [Oh my GOD.  Such a memorable night.  I'll ....I'll just leave it at that.] ;)
  - SIOUXSIE!  When she was taking a break from the Banshees, she and Budgee toured and I got to see them perform here at the Crest Theater.  It was such a great show, in probably one of the most intimate environments I've gotten to see here ever in.  It was beautiful.
  SWING DANCE COMPETITIONS!
  The dancing contests & demonstrations for swing-dance have been held here on occasion and they have been so much fun.  As an avid swing-dancer, I love when this venue is used since it heralds the original vibe from the 30s and 40s with it's amazing décor and artistry.
The Crest Theatre is in a class all by itself when it comes to being a venue that hosts the best in performance art.
THE LOWDOWN
The Crest Theatre remains to this day one of Sacramento's most iconic movie and concert venues.
Another Sacramento 'institution' on shaky grounds.... How disapointing to see the Crest cut back the daily cinematic offerings to maybe 3 days a week. Â I guess they're still accepting the discount card for maybe 1 showing ?? Â At least you can enjoy the card's small drink/popcorn... Â The new schedule wouldn't be half that bad except for the few of us who work swing shift and through the conventional weekend.
Oh well, I certainly enjoyed it while it lasted. Â Â How sad that there are fewer alternatives to see foreign/independent films in this community. Â Â
That economy is getting better and K st. is taking off ?? ..... right ??? ... More drunken adolescents roaming the wee hours of the morn' mixing it up the transients ...
Way to go Sac-o-tomatoes !!!
A buddy and I saw John Oliver, standup comic and The Daily Show correspondent, here on 1/18/13. Â The opening act was Ian Karmel who I had not heard of before. He was pretty good but not particularly memorable. John gave a solid performance even though I think he had the flu. The material covered pretty much what you'd expect: a fair amount of politics and some general observational humor about America from a Brit's perspective. He worked the crowd effectively and I appreciated seeing him live.
Having said that, I am reviewing the Crest Theater. It is a relatively small venue, perhaps 1000 seats or so. That worked well for standup. We were 7 rows back from the stage and were able to take in the performance effectively. The theater seating was more cramped than I would like, but I've had worse. It is less comfortable than your average modern Cineplex though. The house was packed, but there weren't any real bottlenecks trying to get in or out. There are several options on K St to grab dinner before the show. We chose Pizza Rock right across the street.
Overall the Crest is decent. Nothing spectacular. But decent. I would see another comic there without reservation. Â It wouldn't be my first choice for a movie.
Got a movie, popcorn, and soda for around $10! Â My friend and I caught one of their 5:30 matinee shows for only $6 (I believe students get in for $6 also if you bring a student ID), got a mini popcorn for $1 (its small, but it was enough popcorn for me) and decided to get a soda since everything else was so cheap. Â The ticket, door, and concession people were all very friendly too! Â They also validate parking if you need them to!
Review Source:The Crest Theatre has been a part of K Street since the 1940's. It has gone from seeing cars being able to drive through K St, to no cars being allowed, and now back to having cars again.
For being such an old theatre, it is still very well maintained (the main theater is absolutely gorgeous with it's classic decor) and a good place to watch great movies. Everything about this theater is old school from the way you buy you tickets at the box window to the concession stand (no, all concessions are not the same). I've been here a few times and every movie I've watched here has made me feel like I've underpaid for the $9.50 admission price.
This is a theater like no other. It's almost like a blast to the past with the old time box office window. Inside the theater they have a little museum of what it was like to go to the cinema back in the day. The main theater itself is just beautiful. I have never seen a theater like this before. The concession stand is something else on it's own. Â Prices almost have the price at a normal theater. Free cups of water and I talked to the woman behind the counter and she informed that they get there popcorn from locals and that they use real butter. This place is just great and I can't wait to come back.
Review Source:Like everyone else who wrote a review, this place is absolutely beautiful.  It's perfect for dates, seriously.  It has a great nostalgic vibe to it and it's definitely a classy looking theater thanks to all the vintage decor inside.  Our movie was in the main theater and it is beautifully lit with soft vibrant lights, setting the mood and all that stuff.  Also, not too many people go here and so you probably won't have that annoying kid  talking or some baby crying like at all those big theaters, allowing you to actually enjoy your movie.  Despite what others may say about the location, K Street is great at night with all the shiny lights and there is usually a police car patrolling the entire street.  It is perfect for a night time stroll with your date, they'll be under the impression that downtown Sacramento is amazing thanks to the shiny light effect (Just don't go past Social Nightclub walking towards the mall... That's where things get weird and awkward).  Another great thing about this theater's location is the fact that it is located next to some of the most amazing restaurants in Sacramento, all of which are within a 10 minute walking distance and you get to walk off some of those calories before the movie, awesome (Again, perfect for a date)!  Definitely should bring a date here on one of those random weekday nights when you can't go to the bars or clubs to get inebriated (because what's more fun than that?  C'mon now). Â
Despite how nice the theater is, I couldn't give it five stars because of two things:
1) Â The main theater did not have any cup holders. Â Yes, that means there is nothing to hold your popcorn or drinks, forcing you to place them on your lap and risk ruining your fancy pants. Â However, the seats are pretty comfortable and so I guess it's not that bad. Â
2) Â The major buzz kill is the sound system. Â I'm thinking their entire sound system is outdated because I felt like the sound only came from the front so pretty much there was no surround sound. Â It felt soft and quiet for a movie theater, especially when you're sitting in the middle or higher up.
I love it here!! A little piece of historic Sacramento unfortunately located in a not so charming part of town, the Crest Theatre is a gem! Equipped with a stage as well as movie theater screens, there's always a good show to be seen here. I don't think people really appreciate places like this anymore because we're so into our modern movie technologies like 3D and IMAX, but every now and then it's nice to step back into the past & enjoy a show the old fashioned way. Plus, you can buy a mini popcorn cup for $1, sit back & relax.
Tip: Student price tickets for movies are only $6!
Nothing better than a Saturday night spent at this classic movie house. I love feeling like I stepped back in time, just looking at the goregous old-school decor. This place specialiazes in independents, but we were able to catch the classic 'White Christmas' in December. Movies run about 9 or 10 bucks for adults. Just be sure to bring cash for snacks as the concession stand does not take cards. Happy movie watching!
Review Source:Good location and didn't realize they had screens downstairs too.
I saw the moving called "Chasing Ice" (See <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chasingice.com%2F&s=e9448aef863bc0fb32a670730729fb688a13df3a73b3f67ebea8d98813da56b4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.chasingice.co…</a>) downstairs and it was pretty good.  Except that there was a rude old man who kept making lots of opening wrapper noise.
Pretty cool that they sell mini popcorns for $1. Â They look like the size of the 16 oz drink cup.
This place is really beautiful and provides a quality, affordable, elegant experience at the movies.
The entryway is lovely and old-school - actually, this whole place is lovely and old school.
Movies are under ten dollars and they screen both independent productions as well as some more mainstream offerings.
The audio and visual quality were great, and I'm definitely going to be a regular here.
I love this place so much! A beacon of glitz and glamor on the otherwise provincial K Street downtown. This theater is host to a multitude of exotic events and screenings. Here you'll find live music, spoken word guests, local film festivals, French film festivals, Trash Film orgies, midnight movies, and everything! The bathrooms are recently remodeled, the clients are always enthusiastic, and the staff seem to really enjoy working there. It's a great place to hang out and meet people.
Review Source:BEAUTIFUL theater!
This is a Sacramento landmark and has been here since I can remember. Â I recently attended the Elly awards held at the theater. Â The ceiling and the theater in general is just SO pretty. Â It is one of the few venues to see independent films as well. Â I wish that they would restore the area AROUND the theater as it is less than pleasing. Â There is plenty of parking near the theater and a parking garage right around the corner.
This place really has it all film festivals galore, current Indie movies, and live performances.
The staff is reliably helpful and friendly. I never get concessions so I imagine its similar to every other place.
I feel so fortunate to be in a town where they show Indie movies regularly, I have really indulged in that love and have become a regular. I have enjoyed the French Film Festival and it was a lot of fun, met some interesting new people and really enjoyed the champagne / dessert farewell. I am looking forward to an upcoming live peformance in the next few weeks as well.
Of course I love the BIG theater, it makes my experience even grander but realize I don't always pick the favorite show or event and occasionally will have to go down below the stairs to enjoy my evening flick. I quickly get over it, and hunker down and enjoy what is there in front of me. Thank you Crest for bringing entertainment diversity into my regular life.....and within walking distance!!
The Crest originally opened in 1912 as the Empress Theatre, and at that time was used as a vaudeville palace. It later became the Hippodrome. in 1949, the building was completely remodeled and revamped to its current form as the Crest Theatre. During the 1950s and 1960s, it was one of the premier first-run movie palaces in the Sacramento area. During the 1970s, it showings were reduced to mostly sub-run fare and in the early 1980s the Crest closed down. Several attempts were made to revive the Crest (including a dinner theatre idea) and around 1995, the Movie House was completely refurbished. Today its main auditorium (which has been left in its post-1946 unaltered state) is a multi-purpose theatre showing classic revival and specialty films, various film festivals, occasional live shows and lectures. Two additional cinemas were built adjacent to the original site around the time of the remodeling.
I love old Classic Movie Theatres and the Crest is a beauty. And when I'm on a business trip and just want to kick back and relax for the evening, what's better than taking a short walk from the Hotel and seeing a Motion Picture?
As you walk into the Crest Theatre in downtown Sac, you're greeted by an overhead sign that says something "Here you leave behind the cares of today and enter the world of yesterday and tomorrow" (hopefully a proper update on the quote to come soon!). Â The point is, you couldn't ask for a dreamier invitation to leave it all behind for 2 hours and see a great flick - either a great independent, or a classic you've only ever before today watched on TV! Â And don't forget of course the festivals, comedy and live music performances. Â This place really has it all!
Beautiful art deco motif, and the lack of modern touches are a blessing. Â Old squeaky seats, and a certain smell of mustiness in the lobby bring with them a distinctive charm that really does transport you to a different time. Â
Great prices, decent concession munchies and a ladies room that looks like....well, something from a movie! Â
Take a trip downtown and escape the megaplex world for once!
If you don't love the Crest, than you must not have a soul. So take your soulless self away from this review. This review is packed full with mad love!
I feel so in awe of this place, every single time I go.
This place is just stunning. This is what theaters should still be, and what America should still get to experience more of. With art deco decor, this building is truly a step back in time. Every corner, every bit of this theater is interesting in its own way. And when I come here, I don't feel like I'm dumbing myself down for some mindless entertainment. NO! I'm coming here for an experience, an artistic adventure chopped full of cinematic awesomeness.
Plus, the prices here are great. You're not paying more for culture. Go figure!
Sacramento, go step back in time and show this place some love.
I just recently visited Crest theater for the first time in quite a few years, and I have to say that I had a really good time. Â If you've never been, Crest is a cute, old-fashioned, neon-sign-lit theater that features many independent films. Â They always seem to have a good variety of movies that appeal to a variety of people. Â
The ticket prices are very fair; student tickets are only $6! Â We showed up about 15 minutes early and there were plenty of seats. Â I liked that the place was not overly crowded- plus the seats seemed cleaner than other theaters. Â The screen is not as large as other theaters (Regal, UA, Century), but it doesn't really affect the experience at all. Â
Like any other theater, they have a concession stand (although I did not get any snacks). Â Overall, I highly recommend Crest Theater!
The Crest theater offers great indie films and an awesome old school theater. Â I love the art deco feel of the place and theaters are never crowded (probably not a plus for the theater). Â
The area around the theater has seemed to pick up, a few years ago it used to be very sketchy. Â There is public parking right around the corner and there are always plenty of spaces. Â
They give free cups of water which is nice since bottle water is crazy expensive there. Â Can't comment on the popcorn since I've never gotten any.
The Crest is a local classic.
It's gorgeous, old school, and you can't help yourself, as you step into a theater, from uttering, "Wow."
Plus, the Crest shows productions, shows, films, and festivals you can't see elsewhere.
The bad: because it's older, it's not built for "modern people." Â By "modern people," I mean "genetic freaks". Â By "genetic freaks," I mean having giraffe legs like me. Â I have a hard time sitting through your average film or production without stretching out said giraffe legs, thus kicking the person ahead of me square in the brain stem.
But I will put up with the discomfort here and there for the beauty and quality entertainment found at the Crest!
Saw Zappa Plays Zappa here a few weeks ago. Â Its got the mystique of a cool old theater and the sound and show were awesome. Â
Couple of questions for you though, Mr. Crest:
Why can't we take beer out of the beer pit? Â It may seem kind of obvious, but are you aware that you can't actually see the show from there? Â So if I want a drink, I've got to chug it right there and hustle back to my seat before I miss too much. Â That's just dumb. Â I know you've probably got some reason, like to prevent me from buying 42 beers and giving them to the 42 underage drinkers that I hid in my ass-crack while enduring 60 seconds of frottage by your over-enthusiastic bouncers. Â And no, it was NOT good for me, thanks for asking. Â But come on, there wasn't even a TV showing live video of the stage. Â Would that be so hard?
Also, why can't we dance down in front of the stage? Â Again, I know you've got reasons. Â My awesome dance moves might spark a 12-alarm blaze, and since the show is so awesome I'll just keep dancing instead of heading for the exit, causing the two other people who were trying to dance to stampede for the exit and crush everyone else in the theater. Â All because I'm a dancing fooo'ooo'oool!!! Â Thank you for saving us from such an ignoble doom.
The Crest is definitely the SAFEST venue in town, and would be a great place to host lectures about the benefits of teen abstinence and the perils of caffeine as a gateway drug.
Crest, you remain my favorite thing about K Street!
Crest Theatre is the Sacramento moviehouse to go to for indie, foreign, documentaries, old classics, the obscure and even live shows and festivals. I've seen many amazing movies there that wouldn't dare touch foot in a multiplex, as well as many great music and comedy shows.
See a show (any kind!) in the large theater if possible, it is gorgeously decorated. I love Tower Theatre and Crest Theatre both so much, but I give Crest a *tiny* bit more credit than Tower because of the generally good condition/upkeep of this classic venue.
Classic!
A venue that highlights Sacramento's history of K Street. Random, yes. Eclectic showings and performances, not your average theater. It almost gives off a spooky vibe.
Old fashion theater, for sure! Fun snack bar area and a little cove of libations, but you must stay there too drink - BOO!
They seriously host some amazing events, well in my book anyways. 2 that stand out are 1) the local SATC movie premiere and 2) Garibaldi Live. Stadium seating is great appreciated by this 5'4" patron, I don't have to keep moving to avoid the silhouette of a head, but can enjoy the eye candy on the stage/screen!
The only issue I have is with their hours. If you are trying to buy tickets, without paying the millionaire convenience fee on-line, you have to go to the Crest and buy them in person. Their hours are wacky on days they do not have shows, only open certain days of the week, mostly in the evening hours, but not too late. Don't even bother calling their office, they don't answer...but they will call you back, but just not quite in time.
Another note of warning...if they are sold out, wait until the day of the show...they might release tickets right before the start of the show. Unfortunately my friend waited in line the night of a show and they told him it was sold out...less than 8 minutes later they said they had a few to sell. This is my only beef with them...their customer service isn't stellar....
Cool shows and spooky vibe, perfect for keeping K street alive!
I am so excited! Â We are going to the Crest Theater on K Steet to see "It's a Mad Mad Mad World". Â Piled in the car like sardines, it is such a relief when we pull up to the loading zone in front of the Crest. Â "There!" Â The movie is being displayed in large letters on the Marquee. Â Getting out of the car, the smell of caramel corn from the Fox Theater across the street accosts my young nasal sensory perception like sweet perfume, adding to the immense excitement and anticipation. Â
The theater is a bit run down but still manages to silently boast its splendid glory. Â Entering the lobby, our attention is immediately drawn to a brightly lit concession with an enticing display of popcorn, soft drinks, candy, and bon bons. Â After what seems like an interminable amount of time and an extremely pain staking amount of indecision, our arms now full of a large variety of edible delights usually off limits, we search for the best possible seats. Â By the time we are halfway through our menagerie of preadolescent culinary gratifications, the theater darkens, curtains open, and the movie begins. Â Does it get any better than this?
Cars are long gone from K Street. Â The Fox Theater burned down decades ago, but the Crest Theater remains in its splendid glory. Â It has been refurbished and stands as a testament to K Street's golden past. Â The Crest Theater no longer shows first run blockbuster movies. Â Instead it prefers to show classic and alternative style movies that are perfect for showing off its classic architecture and persona.
The Crest Theater is one of the few highlights along troubled K Street. While many surrounding businesses have shuttered their windows and locked their doors, the Crest and its glowing marquee stand as a symbol of the area's former glory.
The lobby is more of a sloping grand hallway (highlighted with beautiful art deco designs) that branches off into a large main theater. This is a great venue for film premieres (often used during the Sacramento Film Festival), but I don't think it works as well for concerts. I saw Merle Haggard here and the muddy acoustics almost ruined the concert for me.
The Crest is also a great place to catch those artsy flicks you can't find just anywhere. If the film you seek contains subtitles or long abstract pauses, check to see if it's playing here first.
The Crest has been in my memories for years. Â Until a week ago or so the last time I was in the Crest was over a dozen years ago. Â My memories were hazy and so returning to the Crest was like a homecoming by a stranger in a strange land. Â I remember going to a music show and getting to second base for the first time. Â Oh how I loved my classy middle school days.
Upon my return I appreciated the coupling of art deco and Disney's Aladdin architecture. Â My experience at the Crest for a contemporary ballet performance was very fun and much classier than my middle school days.
I would like for the Crest to have a small but tasteful bar open to the public for fun and art deco - gilded age libations.
Dear Crest,
Your main theater is always a delight for movies and concerts, but your downstairs theater is atrocious so you lose a star. (Yes, there is a downstairs theater.) It's like 1984 down there. The year, and the book. And please please please clean the stains off the screen. They sparkle when a movie is playing. It makes me feel dirty.
Some of the best times in my life involved three things. Marijuana, girls and The Crest Theatre.
Located on wonderful Kst since Jesus Christ was framing houses. I have been to many concerts, movies, and other events like the Sammie's, Spike and Mikes Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation and so on and so forth. It is a classic movie theatre/ concert event theatre. Historically preserved so my father and grandfather can point out stains they left on some of the seats.
It's the only place in town that hosts some of the events and movie titles that come through there.
The acoustics are great and Some of my favorite concerts have been there. It gets really dark in the top back and if you're at a small concert it's a good place to hook up with your guy or girl, I don't discriminate, do what makes you happy people, unless the lead singer of the band spots you "getting it on" and the next thing you know, you're the show. Yes that actually happened to me.
At the film festivals, I don't know if I should release this information or not? Ah fuck it. They aren't going to bust you for smoking weed. As they say, don't be overtly obvious about it and they'll leave ya alone.
Yes, this place is great for all you little liberal artsy fartsy types and not such a swell groovy place for you conservative Neo-Nazi Limbaugh clones.
Don't get me wrong, it's not some modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. It is family friendly, but really, if you take your family and kids to see "Dark Side of the Rainbow", (The Wizard of Oz played in Sync with Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon) then you probably vacation with them at Burning Man and you're a failure as a parent so no worries.
It's an independently owned and operated theatre. Â Enough said. Â
I'm a movie fan, wait, a film buff, no, a cinema connoisseur and if I want to watch a Kurosawa, Godard, or Ed Wood film, damn it, it will be at the Crest. Why? Not because I'm overly biased, but because it is the only place that consistently brings the cultural artifacts I crave to this vacuum we call Sacramento. Â The Crest is not just an establishment, but a community builder, a cultural space to share ideas and beliefs, and a historic landmark that symbolizes and facilitates an important social practice in our modern history.
The Crest, above all, has film festivals, if you love film, then you surely should go to a film festival. The festivals are comparable to the Bay Area: French, Japanese, Jewish, and Gay and Lesbian. All the festivals are annually curated and presented in a themed atmosphere. They highlight new as well as classic cinema, and to see an old movie on that huge screen in the main auditorium is what shuffling into a darkened space with strangers is what movies are all about: social magic.
A 6-week long festival-of-sorts, Trash Film Orgy (TFO) represents the seedier, cultish brand of film that exist no where else in the valley. Every Saturday night in July and August, and once during October, the volunteers that put together the summer-long midnight screenings and crazy, weirdo midway of activities for patrons to immerse themselves in, do it for the love of film. They now boast a zombie walk that ensnares most of midtown in its free-for-all fun. Then there are the weekly film offerings. The Crest may have an unlikely sleeper hit now and then, that does well in markets such as NYC, LA, Chicago, but gets maybe 30 people total attending for an entire week. Also, The Crest wears their politics on their sleeve with the steady current of liberal-minded documentaries screened regularly.
The Crest is not just nostalgia nor is it a dive-y mom and pop. Â It is an institution. Celebrated and enigmatic, it has been around providing the same service with class and intrigue for over 70 years. Things tend to change over 70 years.
Sure, it is downtown, you know, with all those "drug-addled psychos" (quoted sarcasm) walking the streets and asking for a little money, so they can escape the hell that is their life. Have you ever been to Oakland, SF, Berkeley, Redding, or Chico? Â I think it is fairly indicative of our ill-informed State and local policy decisions, and affluent citizens' social isolation from urban life, more than anything else. Rant aside, The Crest doesn't always get the cream of the indie films, but they don't have the leverage, say, like Tower, owned by a large entity, has in getting films that are more market desirable. Â You do know that Tower theatre is not an independent theater, right? Â It is owned by Reading Cinemas, and they have far reaching market clout with distributors.
What else is amazing about The Crest?
California Lectures, a lecture series of contemporary, world renown fiction and non-fiction authors rarely seen outside an academic venue.
Cheap prices: student and senior discounts, and one dollar ($1) popcorn, organic popcorn to be exact, with real, honest-to-god butter. Â
The main auditorium that could seat up to a thousand patrons is from the late 40's, as is the lounge where the theatre serves beer and wine during live music and comedy events. Both are illuminated by embedded neon skirting around the edges of the ceiling. Â
Highly knowledgeable and approachable Crest staff; just ask them about film, music, art, places to eat, fun things to do, historic tidbits because these folks are a golden key to Sacramento.
Yeah, the downstairs theaters lack the quality mentioned above, but as a venue that doubles as a theater, impressive to say the least: films running down stairs while a sold-out show roars above. There is patron confusion when the theater is split like this, and that seems to be one of the only negatives.
Going to the Crest makes me feel like I live in a city thriving with diverse cultural ephemera beyond the scope of what seems relatively opaque on Sacramento's surface. If the theater was not independently operated by people who do it despite a paltry income, the there would not be these regional opportunities to enjoy fellow Sacramentans who like to munch popcorn while shedding a tear. This is not pretention or snobbery; if I was into cigars, drag racing, wine, antiques, home décor, or fishing, too name a few, there are places you go for the ultimate experience, right? I'm into films, and this is the place everyone goes to have the ultimate cinematic experience, at once shared as well as singular. Nothing else like it!
Bitchin' theater...yes, I said bitchin! I can't add a whole lot more than what's already been said but while seeing a movie there today on one of their little screens I realized that there is a difference in the maturity levels of the people who go here versus other theaters (Trash Film Orgy excluded). You don't experience the same rudeness as other places. People don't bring a bunch of screaming kids and cell phones aren't an issue (I didn't even have service). It just makes for a much more enjoyable theater experience. Plus, the history and architecture of the place is amazing!
I love you Crest Theater!
Crest bills itself as the last Movie Palace in Sacramento - and it couldn't be more true (Tower is a close second but not quite) - they are a movie palace from a bygone era - but they couldn't be better than for what they do today - an alternative and local venue for stuff the corporate theaters won't touch.
Just saw "Why Lie I need a Drink" here - it's typical of what makes the Crest so great. Â They host local shows, they have great film festivals, and they host great events. Â
The marquee is one of the most beautiful sights in downtown, and inside the theater it just gets better.
Occasionally you can get the whole place to yourself too. Â Saw "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" here a couple years ago on a weeknight and the wife and I were 2 of 4 people in the audience.
Check out <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.TheCrest.com&s=0674746ba7830e3a6c5fa0d73194ba778fd2094ba79d2bd2c883e7256da68c9b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.TheCrest.com</a> they have their live schedule up indexed by  Comedy, Film, Music Event, Theatre, Private Party, and Miscellaneous so you can see what events are coming up.
This is truly a theatrical tribute to those old classic movie theaters from the 30's. Â
Despite the cramped seating, I would have to recommend a visit just to experience the immensely high ceilings, Â plush chairs, and the carpeted stairs.
My friend's employer have held several year-end meetings there and the fresh popcorn and drinks made for a pretty social event.
A "4" for ambiance!
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