If you saw movies at the old Paramount Theater, the Idaho Falls Arts Council wants to hear from you
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IDAHO FALLS — If you went to the movies at the old Paramount Theater on A Street, the Idaho Falls Arts Council wants to hear from you.
The Paramount is now the Colonial Theater and it’s turning 100 years old. A centennial anniversary book is being produced and organizers want to include as many memories as possible.
“We want your memories, good or bad, of the historic theater,” said Idaho Falls Arts Council board member Terry Miller. “I’ll be hosting two round-table interviews at the theater and would love to hear from you.”
The interviews will be held at noon on Jan. 22 and 23. Attendees are asked to RSVP by clicking here. If you can’t attend either interview, submit your memories by clicking here.
Terry Miller told EastIdahoNews.com one thing he is hoping to find out from the shared memories is why there is a swan motif around the theater. There used to be a swan-like statue attached to the front of the building that has since been moved to the Willard Arts Center on the corner of A Street and Capital Avenue. The inside of the theater has several swan shapes as well.
Called the Colonial after first opening in 1919, it was rechristened as the Paramount Theater from 1929 to 1980. After that, the name was returned to the original. It seats 998 people and began as a vaudeville theater. Vaudeville theaters usually involve different, usually comedic, acts from separate performers.
The centennial celebration will continue all year and include a street party, a big-name show in the fall and possibly a celebration gala.