Newburgh theater screens indie films and a new theater comes to Beacon
by Kate Fraher
Good news for art film lovers: you need suffer no more the long drives to Rhinebeck and Pleasantville. An independent film center has opened on the Newburgh waterfront and plans are underway to convert the old theater at 445 Main Street, Beacon, into a six-screen cinema.
The Downing Film Center, which shares 19 Front Street in Newburgh with the Yellow Bird Gallery and Vino 100, opened its doors to a sold-out crowd on July 22. “We had people say they’d stand,” says owner, Brian Burke. The favorable response is no surprise considering that local movie-goers looking for the “independent, foreign and classic films,” in which the Downing specializes, formerly faced at least a forty-five minutes drive to theaters like Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, and the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville. Now it’s just a short trip to this cozy single-screen cinema which seats seventy. The concession stand offers traditional movie fare as well as coffee, tea, and fresh baked goods; the screening room is furnished with office style chairs, cheerily adorned with colorful cushions, and a front row of lounge chairs. Perhaps the most inviting aspect of the Downing is the enthusiasm of the Burke family, who run the theater together. The film center is the fulfillment of a life long dream for Brian Burke, a retired educator. He and his son, Kevin, an attorney, formed the business together and Burke’s wife also helps run it.
The Burkes named the center after Andrew Jackson Downing, the Newburgh-born horticulturist and architect credited as a forerunner of landscape architecture. After shopping around for a suitable site, the Burkes decided on the revitalized waterfront, leasing a space on the lower level of the renovated warehouse owned by Dick Polich of Polich Art Works. They enjoy the collaborative nature of sharing space with the gallery and wine shop, especially perks like the added exposure (the Downing is starting out with a mailing list of 800 people). The 35mm films are shown using a large projector with three platters Operating the projectors requires some finesse; Burke hired a veteran projectionist from New York to give him a crash course. There’s also a digital projector for screening DVDs. The Downing has already hosted several special events, including lectures and guest speakers who worked on the screened films. Future plans include participation in film festivals, such as Woodstock, and screenings of local film-makers’ work.
The Downing, which will celebrate its Grand Opening October 28th, is open Tuesday – Sunday evenings and offers matinees on Thursday and Sunday. Check the schedule online at www.downingfilmcenter.com or call (845) 561-3686. The Burkes employ Florian Creative Services to book their films, and they’ll take suggestions from patrons. Seats do sell out quickly, particularly during special events, but you can call ahead to make reservations. Get there early if you want a front-row lounge chair, and don’t forget to join the Downing Film Club – if you go to five films, the sixth is free.
Come spring you may not even have to cross the river to see certain films. Screen Arts Corporation is currently under contract to purchase the old theater at 445 Main Street, here in Beacon. Plans are to turn the large theater into a multiplex (six theaters) with nine hundred seats, a café, and an arcade, all part of President Norman Adie’s signature “boutique style” venues. Adie, who was familiar with Beacon as an antiques destination, was encouraged by associate Kathleen Lyons to consider the theater on Main St. “I loved the theater and I loved what was happening in Beacon,” he says. “I thought the one thing it lacked was exactly what I specialize in doing, which is an entertainment, recreation facility.” Screen Arts once oversaw fourteen theaters in Times Square and is responsible for entertainment centers in areas like Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights, as well as the Poconos and Monroe, NY. Of the six screens planned for Beacon, one will regularly feature art films. The remaining five will play family films and block blusters. Adie takes a community-oriented approach to his facilities. He plans to offer lectures and to work with the school system and local charities. On the suggestion of a Beacon resident, Adie is even considering offering a baby-sitting service to accommodate the afternoon crowd.
The Beacon site constitutes an investment of over $4 million for Screen Arts. The existing building, which is currently one large space, will be converted into two levels to accommodate the six theaters and recreation areas. Adie and his business partner, architect Ken Nadler, want to take a conservative approach to the renovation of the building’s façade. To stay faithful to the original design they will use an old-style marquee. “We want to keep it in character with what Beacon is,” says Adie. He anticipates concluding the contract in a very short time and hopes to open the complex around Easter of 2007.
Keep up the good work. Can you put me on your mailing list? I just recently heard about you and would love to know what you are showing.
Posted by: Laraine Esposito | July 04, 2007 at 04:32 PM