14 June 13 - 19, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents That’s a Wrap Within 12 hours, two movie theater chains, the Angelika and Alamo Drafthouse, announced they’d be closing locations in Dallas-Fort Worth. BY ISMAEL M. BELKOURA I t’s been a bad week for North Texas movie fans. Well, more like a bad day. In the span of roughly 12 hours, two movie theater chains, the Angelika and Alamo Drafthouse, announced several North Texas movie theater closures. The company that operates all five Al- amo Drafthouse theaters in DFW and one in Minnesota, which is called Two is One, One is None, LLC, announced on Thurs- day its decision to file for Chapter 7 bank- ruptcy and immediately shut down all locations. The announcement was first made to employees of the Drafthouse lo- cations — Richardson, Las Colinas, Lake Highlands, Dallas, Denton, and Woodbury, Minnesota — through an internal com- pany message. “It breaks my heart that after 10 years this is where we are left, but the huge number of losses to the business sustained were simply too big for us to continue operations,” wrote Bill C. DiGaetano, the owner of the six loca- tions. “Thank you for everything you have done for our company and thank you for the passionate way you came to work every day and served our guests.” DiGaetano had previously said the North Texas locations were not in jeopardy despite the parent company’s financial troubles. In a statement sent to the Dallas Ob- server, an Alamo Drafthouse spokesperson said: “We are heartbroken for the franchi- see’s teammates and the local film commu- nities, however, we are working as quickly as possible to get Alamo Drafthouse Cinema back up and running in these cities. All other Alamo Drafthouse locations are operating as normal, with continued expansion plans across the country.” A previous Alamo Drafthouse location in North Richland Hills changed ownership in 2022. A day before the Alamo’s announcement, the Angelika Film Center in Plano announced its immediate closure. The location has been a staple in the Shops at Legacy since June 2004, and was one of two Angelika locations in DFW. The other is at Mockingbird Station. “A variety of economic challenges have made it impossible for the tenant to sustain its cinema in Plano,” a statement posted on social media said. A previous Angelika location in Houston, which was the second-ever location to open, closed in 2010. The venue in Plano is the second Angelika movie theater to close. David Lowery, a successful filmmaker based in Dallas, says the closing of the Al- amo Drafthouses is “such a blow” to the Dal- las film community. “When we’re in Dallas, my wife [film- maker Augustine Frizzell] and I go to the various Drafthouses two to three times a week,” says Lowery. “We’ve made so many incredible movie memories there, from the Dismember The Alamo marathons to sur- prise screenings. It’s sad to know they won’t be there when I come back to town, and even sadder to consider the wonderful em- ployees who’ve been so suddenly displaced. We’re raising a glass to everyone who made the local Alamos so wonderful; here’s hop- ing they open again soon.” Observer writer Diamond Rodrigue is a movie lover who says she would go to the Alamo Drafthouse in Denton once a week to escape the stresses of real life. She says her husband just took their son to watch Back to the Future Part II for the first time the night before the cinema chain’s announcement. He even bought tickets next week for Back to the Future Part III. “One of the biggest things that set them apart from other theaters around town was its Time Capsule series — movies from decades past that were so fun to go see on the big screen again,” she says. “It always felt like a place that nurtured cinema and tried to make the movie- going experience as fun as possible.” ▼ PRIDE FOLLOW THE RAINBOW DALLAS’ PRIDE PARADE MAY BE BEHIND US, BUT THE CELEBRATIONS ARE GOING ON ALL MONTH, WITH PARTIES BY DEZI 5, THE ARBORETUM AND IN DENTON. BY CHARLES FARMER D allas kicked off get Pride Month this year with a parade hosted by LG- BTQ+ icon Billy Porter, and the looks were brought. If it’s more parades you seek, though, North Texas is flying the rainbow flag high all of June. Celebrate inclusivity and the queer activ- ists who came before us at these 10 Pride events. Thankfully, there is a whole lot of something for all folks looking to celebrate. June 14 FemmeFest June 14–15, 411 E. Sycamore St., Denton Celebrating all things femme without the use of corporate sponsors, FemmeFest ’24 is a two-day fundraiser centering on queer arts and entertainment, specifically drag, burlesque and live music from the queer community. Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Stu- dios is hosting two competition showcases that will round out the nights, including an all-drag king competition. Tickets start at $12 and are free for Indigenous peoples. The goal is to raise $10,000 for out-of-state abor- tion access for Texans and bailout support for Dentonites in need. Support your local community at this Pride Month event. June 15 FC Dallas Pride Night 7:30 p.m., 9200 World Cup Way, Frisco “Y’all means all” is the theme of the night at Toyota Stadium, as FC Dallas takes on St. Louis. Support our local soccer stars as they honor the LGBTQIA+ community. Tickets start at $21, and you can purchase the Pride- themed jersey while you’re there. June 21 Dallas Arts District Pride Block Party 2024 6 p.m. – midnight, Dallas Arts District This free event is the biggest Pride event in downtown Dallas. Showcasing art of the queer community, this celebration offers tours, per- formances, films, artists, gourmet food trucks, drag shows and other activities until midnight. Celebrate Pride with a focus on the arts and music and take part in the community mural to forever record this moment. June 22 Strut Dallas Pride 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd. A classic Pride month party, this celebration at the Virgin Hotel at The Manor and The Pool Club features DJs, drag artists and bur- lesque performers to blow your mind. This queer dance and performance party is all about creating an inclusive, safe place for LGBTQIA+ people and allies. This show benefits Texas Latino Pride and Legacy Dal- las. The 21+ event is headlined by the stun- ning host of RuPaul’s Drag Race Canada, Brook Lynn Hytes. Tickets start at $25. Legacy’s Pride Variety Show 6–9 p.m., 3911 Cedar Springs Road This is more than just a drag show. Featuring a showcase of queer talent from across the spectrum, including dancers, comedians, singers, and some drag, this show at The Rose Room presents a little bit of everything and is put on by Legacy Cares, which pro- vides affordable mental health and medical services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $40–$75. The show starts at 7 p.m., but you’ll want to get there early to snag a drink and a good seat. June 24 Big Pride in Lil’ D 7–11:30 p.m., 411 E. Sycamore St., Denton No Pride is complete without a trip to Den- ton. PRIDENTON at Rubber Gloves Re- hearsal Studios is putting on a dance party to celebrate the community, with performances from No Good Babies, Mutha Falcon, Dezi 5 and DJ Ursa Minor. (Bring dollar bills to tip go-go dancers all night long!) Dona- ▼ Culture Charles Farmer Let the Pride flag ride high this month with the best celebrations in Dallas. Courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse Alamo Drafthouse announced last week it was shutting all five DFW locations. >> p16
