[Avon-theatre-news] AVON THEATER NEWS---DEC., 2nd, 2016

Tue Nov 29 18:15:16 EST 2016

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WEEK OF FRIDAY, DEC. 2nd thru THURSDAY, DEC. 8th ONLY!! 
Check out our website at: www.TheAvon.com
NOTE: PLEASE PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE 
ABOVE EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THIS NEWSLETTER!!

Trouble Seeing the Pictures in the Newsletter??
Make sure your email browser is set to "html", not "text only".
  <https://www.facebook.com/TheAvonTheatre>
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CLICK ABOVE TO GO TO OUR FUN FACEBOOK PAGE!!

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#1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD!!
GET READY FOR SHEER FAMILY JOY!!
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MOANA (PG)  103 Family Fun Minutes
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across
the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a
millennium, their voyages stopped - and no one knows exactly why. From Walt
Disney Animation Studios comes "Moana," a sweeping, CG-animated feature film
about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her
people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli'i Cravalho) meets the
mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest
to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on
an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds,
and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and
discovers the one thing she's always sought: her own identity. Directed by
the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker ("The Little
Mermaid," "Aladdin," "The Princess & the Frog"), produced by Osnat Shurer
("Lifted," "One Man Band"), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark
Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i, "Moana" sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23,
2016.
MOANA (PG)
FRI: (*4:00 3D) - 7:00
SAT: (1:00) - (*4:00 3D) - 7:00
SUN: (1:00) - (*4:00 3D)
MON thru THURS: 6:30
*NO EXTRA 3D CHARGES!!
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BRAD PITT IN OLD-SCHOOL WWII ACTION/ROMANCE!!
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ALLIED (R)  121 Gripping Minutes
The story of intelligence officer Max Vatan, who in 1942 North Africa
encounters French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour on a deadly mission
behind enemy lines. Reunited in London, their relationship is threatened by
the extreme pressures of the war.
Critics Consensus: Allied has its moments. made more profound by the
dazzling talent assembled on either side of the camera.
ALLIED (R)
FRI: (5:00) - 8:00
SAT: (2:00) - (5:00) - 8:00
SUN: (2:00) - (5:00)
MON thru THURS: 7:15

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#1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD!!
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FANTASTIC BEASTS and where to find them (PG13)  2 hr 12 min
The magic of Harry Potter lives on in this Warner Bros. spin-off penned by
{J.K. Rowling}, and intended as the first chapter in a whole new fantasy
film franchise.

Critics Consensus: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them draws on Harry
Potter's rich mythology to deliver a spinoff that dazzles with
franchise-building magic all its own.

FANTASTIC BEASTS and where to find them (PG13)
FRI: (4:00) - 7:00
SAT: (1:00) - (4:00) - 7:00
SUN: (1:00) - (4:00)
MON thru THURS: 6:30

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RANTS, RAVES & RAMBLINGS FROM THE HEAD HONCHO
The Avon to celebrate 100 years
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.          <https://herald-review.com/users/profile/dbeckett> DONNETTE
BECKETT H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Nikki Nelson has been an employee with Avon Theatres for more than
a year, but she quickly found an attraction for the building. "It's like
being in a history book," she said.
Manager Bridget Spitzer shares the feeling. "It's like you've gone back in
time," she said.

The Avon Theatre opened with its first movie, "The Fall of the Nation," on
Nov. 28, 1916. After 100 years, the theater is still a popular venue for
local moviegoers. "More and more people are discovering the Avon," said
owner Skip Huston.

According to Huston, the Avon was built as a movie theater, not as a
vaudeville house, which was more popular at the time. The Avon was built
shortly before the movie palace era with ornate fixtures and multiple
seating. "People at the time thought they were crazy," he said. "Why would
anyone build something as grand as the Avon just for movies."
Many of the same features remain in the building. Nelson has learned much
about the history of the old theater during her short time as an employee.
She is most impressed by the balcony area. "It's a beautiful work of art,"
she said.
In 1916, downtown Decatur had seven theaters. Businesses began renovating
the area about 50 years later. Most of the theaters were demolished to make
room for modern buildings and parking garages. "Now they are very sorry,"
Huston said.

Two theaters, the Avon and the Lincoln Square Theatre, survived the wrecking
ball. "In Decatur, we still have two of the greatest theaters still standing
and still operating," Huston said.

However, theaters of all eras would experience growing pains.

As larger, multiplex theaters were built in the open areas outside of the
cities, they took movie fans with them. Downtown businesses felt the pain as
customers traveled to other areas for entertainment and shopping. By the
1990s, downtown Decatur was almost empty. Huston often found himself
discussing the problem with city officials. "I kept saying downtown is the
soul of the city, it is a blank canvas," he said. "The downtown really shows
you what kind of city it is."
Previous owners of the Avon attempted other entertainment businesses, such
as Branson-type live shows and a dollar-movie theater. Nothing seemed
successful. Eventually the Avon closed its doors.
Approximately 20 years ago, Huston approached the empty theater with the
idea of bringing it back to life. "I would drive past and see the closed-up
old Avon," he said. "I thought I could do something with that."
When his family first entered the theater, they weren't sure which direction
to go. They spent a month cleaning the old building and studying their
options. Movies were not at the top of his list. "The sound was terrible,
the projection was terrible, the screen had holes in it," Huston said. "We
didn't even know how to open the curtains."

During one of their cleaning days, an employee was in the projection booth
tinkering with the projector. The light from the projector spilled on to the
closed curtains. It was a preview from an old movie still in the projector.
"Someone yelled out 'We've got a movie theater'," Huston remembers. "Yes, we
do."
As the old projector roared back into life, Huston had made his decision.
But he believes the old theater decided its fate. "The Avon wants to show
movies," he said.
In April, the Huston family will observe their 19th year with the Avon. He
feels it is an honor to be part of the 100 years. "There were a lot of other
people that came in that 80 years before," Huston said.
The family was able to add two theaters, commonly referred to as the Twins,
after leasing the City Plaza Ballroom next to the main theater 12 years ago.
The new building had 20-foot ceilings, ideal for a theater. "It gave us the
opportunity to go first-run (movies) instead of just repertoire and art
films, like most mom-and-pop old theaters," Huston said.
Although the twins are more modern with a kitchen, stadium seating and newer
equipment, many employees prefer the original theater building. "We've
updated it so it works better for our customers," Spitzer said. "But at the
same time, we've kept the integrity of the original theater."
To celebrate the anniversary, the Avon will offer special prices and an
exclusive movie to be shown in December. Huston suggests customers check the
Avon Facebook or the newsletter for updates on anniversary deals.

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The Avon Theater has been YOUR locally owned & family-operated 'hometown
theater' for 100 Years THIS YEAR!!
This weekend, I'm looking for ALL of you and, especially...YOU!!
cid:image008.jpg at 01D1C668.61DC48E0- Skip Huston

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