Carolina Theatre, Charlotte

The Carolina Theatre, a venerable cinema, is presently undergoing restoration to transform into a venue for performing arts and community events. It's managed by the nonprofit Foundation For The Carolinas.

Originally established in 1927 as part of Paramount Picture's Publix Theatre chain, it screened its first movie, "A Kiss in a Taxi." Initially, films ran for three days, with vaudeville acts performing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In 1938, renovations were made to accommodate sound films, replacing original murals with acoustic tiles. Notably, on Feb. 10, 1956, Elvis Presley performed at the theatre. "The Sound of Music" premiered there on March 31, 1965, running for an unprecedented 79 weeks and drawing more viewers than Charlotte's population at the time. However, with the rise of suburban multiplexes, the theatre closed on Nov. 27, 1978, showing "Bruce Lee’s Fists of Fury." Arson inflicted further damage in the 1980s.

After several failed attempts at renovation and revival, the City of Charlotte acquired the building in 1986. It was later sold to the Foundation For The Carolinas in April 2013. The ongoing restoration aims to revive historical elements like murals and the original marquee to recreate the ambiance of 1927. A significant portion of the $51.5 million budget was raised from private donors. Construction commenced in 2017. The restored theatre will be part of a broader Civic Campus named Belk Place. Its programming will encompass civic discussions, speakers, community events, films, concerts, and more.