Uptown Theater

Uptown Theater at Hennepin & Lagoon

Uptown Theater — Minneapolis, MN

The photo set documents the Uptown Theater at Hennepin and Lagoon avenues across multiple moments: illuminated marquees following a major renovation, storefronts and streets emptied during the COVID-19 shutdown, plywood coverings bearing painted messages and murals, and episodes of window damage during unrest. Images show the marquee and vertical sign as persistent neighborhood landmarks. Several frames record the theater’s transition back into active use as a concert and event venue.
Rainy night on Hennepin Ave in Uptown Minneapolis
March 6, 2026 — A couple walk down Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis on March 6, 2026. The Uptown Theater being seen in the background.
Street Vendor outside the Uptown Theater
April 12, 2025 — A street vendor serves patrons outside the historic Uptown Theater at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. The theater, a prominent cultural landmark since its opening in 1939, is illuminated by its marquee, advertising an event for April 17. This nighttime gathering around the vendor's cart reflects the lively commercial and social atmosphere of the Uptown neighborhood, a long-standing center for entertainment and retail in the city.
Lagoon and Hennepin in December Fog
December 30, 2024 — The intersection of Lagoon Avenue and Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is seen on a foggy December night. The Uptown Theatre, a historic landmark built in 1926, is visible on the left with its marquee displaying "THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR!". This area is a vibrant commercial and cultural hub within the city, known for its theaters, shops, and restaurants. The presence of fog, unusual for a warm December evening, adds a unique atmosphere to the urban environment.
Uptown Theater sign in Minneapolis
September 21, 2024 — The illuminated Uptown Theater sign stands tall on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis at dusk. Opened in 1926, the Uptown Theater was designed by Chicago architect William L. Pereira and is known for its opulent Spanish Revival architecture. It originally served as a movie palace and later transitioned to hosting live performances and events. The theater's prominent marquee and vertical sign have long been a landmark in the Uptown neighborhood, a vibrant commercial and cultural hub of the city.
Sepultura on the Uptown Theater Marquee
September 7, 2024 — The Uptown Theater marquee in Minneapolis displays "SEPULTURA SEP 18" indicating an upcoming performance by the Brazilian heavy metal band. Opened in 1926, the Uptown Theater is a historic landmark in the Uptown neighborhood, originally designed as a movie palace. It has since transitioned to hosting live music and other events, serving as a significant cultural venue in the city. The theater's distinctive marquee, illuminated by numerous bulbs, is a recognizable feature of Hennepin Avenue.
Rainy streets in front of the Uptown Theater in Minneapolis
January 25, 2024 — The Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is illuminated on a rainy night in January 2024, following recent renovations. Originally opened in 1939, this historic cinema has long been a prominent cultural landmark in the neighborhood. Its distinctive marquee continues to serve as a beacon for filmgoers, contributing to the vibrant urban environment of Minneapolis.
The illuminated Uptown Theater marquee in Minneapolis, featuring large white letters and rows of orange bulbs, is a historic landmark at Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues.
December 14, 2023 — The illuminated marquee of the Uptown Theater, located at the corner of Lagoon Avenue and Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, displays the theater's name in large white letters against a dark background, bordered by rows of glowing orange bulbs. This image documents the Uptown Theater, a historic Minneapolis landmark that recently reopened after extensive renovations. The theater, a significant cultural institution in the Uptown neighborhood, has played a central role in the Twin Cities' entertainment landscape for decades.
Graffiti at Uptown Theater in Minneapolis
January 6, 2022 — The Uptown Theater, located at Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue in Minneapolis, is seen here during a winter snowfall. The building was undergoing a significant renovation to transform it into a concert venue. Originally opened in 1929 as a movie palace, the Uptown Theater has been a prominent landmark in the city's Uptown neighborhood for decades. Its conversion reflects a shift in entertainment venues and the ongoing adaptation of historic structures to contemporary uses.
Winston Smith graffiti on Uptown Theater
November 8, 2021 — Graffiti reading "DO YOU KNOW WHO WINSTON SMITH IS??" is spray-painted on the glass doors of the Uptown Theater in Minneapolis. The Uptown Theatre, a historic movie palace opened in 1926, has been a prominent landmark on Hennepin Avenue. The graffiti appears to be related to the Minneapolis Uprising, a period of civil unrest and protest that occurred in the city. The question posed by the graffiti suggests a reference to a specific individual or cultural figure, possibly an artist or activist, whose identity or actions were relevant to the events of that time.
Nighttime view of the Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 8, 2021, during a protest related to the death of Winston Smith.
July 8, 2021 — Nighttime view of the Uptown Minneapolis theater and surrounding streets. The marquee reads "UPTOWN" and "OUTMOVIES ONLY." A street sign indicates "Lagoon Av." This image documents a protest on July 8, 2021, in Uptown Minneapolis, where protesters and individuals identified by police as "hot rodders" blocked streets. The Minneapolis Police Department declared an unlawful assembly but dispersed without making arrests. The protest was related to the death of Winston Smith.
Gunfire breaks windows at Uptown Theater
June 21, 2020 — The Uptown Theater in Minneapolis sustained damage to its windows on June 21, 2020. Located at the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, the theater is a historic landmark, originally opening in 1916. This damage occurred during a period of widespread unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd. Shattered glass is visible on the entrance doors and adjacent storefronts, with the theater's marquee displaying the message 'GO HOME GO'.
Adam Turman George Floyd mural on Hennepin Ave
June 5, 2020 — A mural by artist Adam Turman covers the boarded-up Uptown Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. Created in 2020, this artwork emerged during the Minneapolis Uprising following the murder of George Floyd. The mural features a figure with fists holding the words 'LOVE MPLS,' beneath the phrase 'THE RIGHT THING,' advocating for community and justice. A medallion with Pan-African colors is also depicted, symbolizing Black liberation and unity. This public art piece served as a visual statement of solidarity and hope during a period of significant social change in the city.
Uptown theater boards that read silence equals violence
June 2, 2020 — The Uptown Theater in Uptown Minneapolis, a historic cinema, was boarded up in May 2020 during the widespread protests following the murder of George Floyd. Plywood panels covering the theater's facade display messages such as "Silence = Violence" and "Wake Up White People," reflecting the calls for racial justice during the Minneapolis Uprising. The theater's marquee also conveyed messages like "ITS OVER" and "GO HOME," addressing the public unrest. These temporary installations transformed the prominent neighborhood landmark into a canvas for public expression and a symbol of the era's social and political climate.
Uptown Theater during covid shutdowns
March 27, 2020 — The Uptown Theatre, a prominent Art Deco cinema located at Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue in Minneapolis, stands closed in March 2020. Originally opened in 1916 and rebuilt in 1939, the theatre is a cultural fixture in the Uptown neighborhood, known for its independent film programming. Its marquee displays messages indicating closure, reflecting the widespread business shutdowns implemented during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The empty streets surrounding the theatre underscore the public health measures and reduced activity in urban environments across Minnesota at that time.
Hennepin Avenue in March 2020
March 27, 2020 — Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, Minnesota, appears deserted in March 2020, reflecting the early impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This major thoroughfare in the Uptown district is home to businesses such as the Chino Latino restaurant and the historic Uptown Theater, visible with its prominent vertical sign. A dedicated bus lane, marked in red, indicates the street's function as a key public transit corridor. The absence of activity underscores the widespread closures and social distancing measures implemented during this period.
Empty Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis
March 27, 2020 — Hennepin Avenue and West Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis appear deserted during the COVID-19 shutdown. This intersection serves as a central commercial and transportation hub within the Uptown neighborhood, historically known for its vibrant retail, dining, and entertainment venues, including the Uptown Theater and the former Chino Latino restaurant. Dedicated bus lanes on Hennepin Avenue facilitate public transit through this busy corridor, connecting various parts of Minneapolis. The absence of traffic and pedestrians underscores the widespread impact of public health measures implemented in Minneapolis during the pandemic.
Built in Minneapolis
© 1996–2026 Chad Davis