Theater

93 photos · 2009–2026

93 photographs tagged Theater, 2009–2026.

Related: Minnesota Minneapolis Hennepin Ave Uptown Minneapolis MinneapolisUprising Uptown Theater
Abandoned 45 Outdoor Theatre sign in New London, Wisconsin, advertising storage available with a phone number and "Entrance" visible.
This weathered sign in New London, Wisconsin, once advertised the "45 Outdoor Theatre" and currently offers "Storage Available Now." The sign's dilapidated condition and the presence of a phone number suggest a long period of disuse, likely indicating the closure of the outdoor theater. Such roadside theaters were popular entertainment venues across America, offering a unique cultural experience before the rise of multiplex cinemas.

45 Outdoor Theatre Sign, New London, Wisconsin

The weathered sign for the 45 Outdoor Theater in New London, Wisconsin, a remnant of mid-20th century roadside entertainment, stands as a visual marker of a past era.
The weathered sign for the 45 Outdoor Theater in New London, Wisconsin, is a remnant of mid-20th century roadside entertainment. The "45" likely referred to its location along U.S. Highway 45, a common practice for drive-in theaters that sought to attract travelers. Originally a popular community gathering spot, the theater has long since ceased operations, leaving its prominent, rusting signage as a visual marker of a past era. The sign's current state of decay speaks to the decline of drive-in theaters and the changing landscape of entertainment.

45 Outdoor Theater Sign, New London, Wisconsin

Abandoned Hollywood Theatre in Minneapolis
The auditorium of the abandoned Hollywood Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shows the wear of decades since its closure in 1987. Opened in 1935, the Streamline Moderne building served the Northeast neighborhood for over fifty years before succumbing to competition from multiplex cinemas and video rentals. The theater, listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, was acquired in 2015 with plans for its preservation and renovation.

Rusted Seating Rows Inside the Hollywood Theater in Northeast Minneapolis

Seats at the abandoned Hollywood Theater in Minneapolis
The auditorium seats of the Hollywood Theater, located at 2815 Johnson Street in Minneapolis, remain as a testament to its closure in 1987. Originally opened in 1935, the Streamline Moderne building, now listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, ceased operations due to competition from video rental stores and multiplex cinemas. Despite a developer's acquisition in 2015 with plans for renovation, the theater's interior continues to show signs of disuse and decay.

Rows of Faded Seats Inside the Hollywood Theater

Hollywood Theater seating while abandoned
Worn seats and peeling walls inside the Hollywood Theater, Minneapolis. This Streamline Moderne cinema, located at 2815 Johnson Street, opened in 1935 and operated for over five decades before closing in 1987. The theater was a significant cultural venue in the Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood until changing entertainment trends led to its closure. Listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, the building was sold in 2015 with plans for its renovation and preservation.

Tattered Upholstery and Toppled Chairs at the Hollywood Theater

Hollywood Theater Abandoned in Minneapolis
The Hollywood Theater located at 2815 Johnson Street, Minneapolis. Listed on the US National Register of Historic Places and notable for it’s Streamline Moderne design. It opened in 1935 and closed in 1987 after not being able to compete with video stores and new larger theaters. The theater was sold in 2015 to a developer who plans to renovate the property.

Backstage Passage to the Auditorium at Hollywood Theater

Popcorn machine at Minneapolis Hollywood Theater
The Hollywood Theater located at 2815 Johnson Street, Minneapolis. Listed on the US National Register of Historic Places and notable for it’s Streamline Moderne design. It opened in 1935 and closed in 1987 after not being able to compete with video stores and new larger theaters. The theater was sold in 2015 to a developer who plans to renovate the property.

Flooded Lobby and Popcorn Stand at Hollywood Theater

Old pepsi can and milk duds at abandoned Hollywood Theater
The projection room of the Hollywood Theater at 2815 Johnson Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, contains remnants of its operational past, including a Pepsi can and Milk Duds box. This Streamline Moderne cinema, opened in 1935, is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance. The theater closed in 1987, unable to compete with video stores and larger venues, leaving its equipment and personal items behind. The property was sold in 2015 to a developer with plans to renovate the historic structure.

Hollywood Theater Projection Room: Pepsi Can and Milk Duds

Camera equipment at abandoned theater in Minneapolis
The projection booth of the Hollywood Theater at 2815 Johnson Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, once housed the equipment essential for screening films in this Streamline Moderne cinema. Opened in 1935, the theater operated until 1987, succumbing to competition from video stores and multiplexes. The building, recognized for its distinctive architecture, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Although sold in 2015 with plans for renovation, the projection booth remains a testament to the theater's past.

Hollywood Theater Projection Booth, Minneapolis

Aerial view of the Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street intersection in Uptown Minneapolis at dusk, with the illuminated Uptown Theater visible.
An aerial photo of the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis as seen in 2015.

Aerial View of Uptown Minneapolis at Twilight

Suburban World Theatre interior renovation on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis.
Suburban World Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis was undergoing interior renovation in 2017. The building was a former movie theater in the Hennepin-Lake commercial district. Renovation work had opened lobby and circulation areas inside the former theater.

Suburban World Theatre Interior, Uptown Minneapolis

The Mann St. Louis Park Cinema, a former movie theater, stands closed with a marquee reading "After 25 Years We Are Closing Our Doors" and "Thank You."
The Mann St. Louis Park Cinema, a fixture in the St. Louis Park community, ceased operations in 2018 after 25 years of service. The building, constructed to house multiple screens, served as a primary entertainment venue for residents. Its closure marked the end of an era for local moviegoers. The marquee prominently displays "After 25 Years We Are Closing Our Doors" and "Thank You," reflecting the establishment's farewell to its patrons.

Mann’s St. Louis Park Cinema Exterior, Closed 2018

Ed Sullivan Theater marquee advertising The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in Midtown Manhattan at night.
The Ed Sullivan Theater in Midtown Manhattan carries the marquee for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The Broadway theater opened in 1927 and was later renamed for television host Ed Sullivan. It is best known as the home of The Ed Sullivan Show from 1948 to 1971 and has remained a major late-night television venue for CBS.

Marquee Lights Outside the Ed Sullivan Theater at Night

The Tonight Show marquee advertising Jimmy Fallon at NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan.
The Tonight Show marquee marks the entrance to NBC studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. The program broadcasts from Studio 6B inside the building, part of Rockefeller Center and a longtime center of NBC television production. The Art Deco skyscraper, completed in 1933 as the RCA Building, remains a major NBCUniversal broadcast site.

The Tonight Show Entrance at Night, Rockefeller Center

Radio City Music Hall neon sign glows orange and blue on Manhattan's facade at night.
The neon signage for Radio City Music Hall in New York City illuminates the building's facade at night. Opened in 1932, Radio City Music Hall was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone and interior designer Donald Deskey as a premier venue for vaudeville and musical productions. It quickly became a landmark of Art Deco architecture and a cultural hub in Manhattan. Today, the venue continues to host a variety of live performances, including concerts, stage shows, and the annual Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes.

Radio City Music Hall’s Marquee Reflected in Glass at Night

Radio City Music Hall marquee illuminated at night on 6th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan is a theater and concert venue within Rockefeller Center. Opened in 1932, it was designed by Edward Durell Stone with interiors by Donald Deskey and became one of the city's best-known Art Deco performance spaces. The marquee advertises appearances by Incubus, MercyMe, and Dane Cook.

Radio City Music Hall’s Marquee Lit Up at Night

Target Field Station illuminated at night in Minneapolis's North Loop, surrounded by historic and modern buildings.
Target Field Station is a transit hub in the North Loop next to Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. It opened in 2014 and brings together the METRO Blue and Green light rail lines, Northstar Commuter Rail, and Metro Transit buses under one roof.

Target Field Station Sign Above the North Loop

Target Field's illuminated sign overlooks downtown Minneapolis's Warehouse District with historic brick buildings and modern transit infrastructure at night.
Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, sits at the edge of the Warehouse District in downtown Minneapolis's North Loop. The ballpark opened in 2010 and stands next to Target Field Station, a transit hub serving the Metro Blue and Green Line light rail along with regional and commuter rail.

Warehouse District Rooftops Near Target Field

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Marquee
The marquee of the State Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis.

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Marquee State Theater

Illuminated State Theatre marquee sign glows red and gold above the downtown Minneapolis theater entrance at night.
The State Theatre stands on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. It opened in 1921 and seats about 2,100 people. Hennepin Theatre Trust operates the venue along with the nearby Orpheum and Pantages theatres.

State Theatre Marquee on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis

Orpheum Theatre marquee displays "Stay Safe, Stay Tuned" message on Hennepin Avenue during COVID-19 closure.
The Orpheum Theatre, at 910 Hennepin Avenue, opened in 1921 as the Hennepin Theatre and later operated as a vaudeville and movie house before its 1980s conversion to a live performance venue. It's now owned and operated by Hennepin Theatre Trust, part of the city's Hennepin Avenue theater district alongside the State and Pantages theaters. The marquee's message, directing passersby to HennepinTheatreTrust.org, went up during the closures ordered under Minnesota's COVID-19 stay-at-home order in the spring of 2020, when the Orpheum and other performance venues went dark to the public.

“Stay Safe, Stay Tuned” on the Orpheum Theatre Marquee

Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis at night with Chino Latino restaurant and Uptown Theater sign visible during COVID-19
Hennepin Avenue runs through the heart of Uptown Minneapolis, linking downtown to the Chain of Lakes. The Uptown Theatre opened in 1939, designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm Liebenberg & Kaplan, known for a string of Art Deco movie houses built across the city in the 1930s and '40s. It later operated as a second-run and independent cinema before closing in 2020. Chino Latino, a pan-Asian and Latin fusion restaurant from Parasole Restaurant Holdings, opened along this stretch in 1998 and became a fixture of Uptown's nightlife before shutting down for good that same year amid the pandemic's early closures.

Chino Latino and the Uptown Theatre on Hennepin Avenue

Uptown Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis displays closure messages on its marquee during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown
The Uptown Theatre sits at Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. It opened in 1916 and was rebuilt in 1939 with an Art Deco facade designed by Liebenberg and Kaplan, architects known for a string of Twin Cities movie houses. The marquee's message was a response to Minnesota's stay-at-home order, issued in late March 2020, which forced theaters and other entertainment venues statewide to close temporarily.

“I Assure You We’re Not Open” at the Uptown Theatre

Hennepin Avenue at West Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis at night, with the Uptown Theatre's vertical sign visible on the left.
Hennepin Avenue and West Lake Street mark the commercial center of Uptown Minneapolis. The Uptown Theatre, opened in 1939 with its Art Deco vertical sign, anchors the block and remains one of the few single-screen movie houses still operating in the Twin Cities.

Empty Streets at Hennepin Avenue and West Lake Street at Night

Ford Center with illuminated rooftop sign at sunset in Minneapolis North Loop.
The Ford Center is a major office and entertainment venue in Minneapolis's North Loop neighborhood. The building's rooftop sign is a prominent landmark visible across the downtown area. Adjacent structures house additional office and commercial space throughout the district.

Ford Center at Sunset, Minneapolis

Uptown Theater entrance with shattered glass on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The entrance of the Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has shattered glass and damaged doors in the early hours of May 29, 2020.

Uptown Theater Damage, Minneapolis

Boarded-up Uptown Theater in Minneapolis with red graffiti reading “Silence = Violence” and “Wake Up White People.”
The Uptown Theater in Uptown Minneapolis is shown boarded up on June 2, 2020, with protest messages painted across plywood covering its facade. Red spray-painted text on the boards reads “Silence = Violence” and “Wake Up White People,” while the marquee above says “ITS OVER” and “GO HOME.” The historic movie theater was among many Twin Cities buildings covered after protests that followed the murder of George Floyd.

Uptown Theater, Minneapolis: ‘Silence = Violence’ Boards

Granada Theatre in Uptown Minneapolis with Justice 4 George Floyd marquee and BLM mural on boarded facade.
The Granada Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is shown boarded up with a marquee reading “Justice 4 George Floyd” and “Uptown Love.” A large pink “BLM” mural covers the plywood across the theater’s ground-floor facade. Photographed on June 4, 2020, the image documents how the theater’s exterior was used for messages tied to the protests and neighborhood response after the killing of George Floyd.

Granada Theatre, Justice 4 George Floyd Marquee & BLM, Uptown

Boarded State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis with an MLK quote on the marquee, June 2020.
The State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis is boarded over beneath its marquee, which displays the Martin Luther King Jr. quote, “The time is always right to do what is right.” The plywood covering the entrance and street-level windows reflects protective measures taken by many Minneapolis businesses in early June 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. Opened in 1921, the theater is a historic performing arts venue and former movie palace on Hennepin Avenue.

State Theatre, Downtown Minneapolis, boarded up, MLK quote

Adam Turman mural on plywood at Uptown Theatre in Minneapolis reading “The Right Thing” and “Love Mpls.”
Adam Turman’s 2020 mural on the boarded-up Uptown Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis fills the facade with the words “THE RIGHT THING” above a figure presenting “LOVE MPLS” in outstretched fists. Created in the days after the murder of George Floyd, the work uses bold lettering and a medallion in Pan-African colors to reference solidarity, Black liberation, and calls for justice. Painted on temporary plywood covering the theater, the mural reflects how storefront barriers across Minneapolis became surfaces for public art and messages during that period.

Adam Turman George Floyd Mural, Uptown Minneapolis

Granada Theater in Uptown Minneapolis with Justice 4 George Floyd marquee and boarded windows painted with BLM graffiti.
The Granada Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis displays “Justice 4 George Floyd” and “Uptown Love” on its marquee. Painted plywood covers the theater’s ground-floor windows and doors, with large “BLM” graffiti and floral artwork visible across the facade. The boarding reflects security measures used by many Twin Cities businesses during protests and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Built in 1928, the theater became a prominent public surface for messages during that period.

Granada Theatre Marquee: Justice 4 George Floyd, Uptown, Minneapolis

Broken windows at the Uptown Theater in Uptown Minneapolis on June 21, 2020.
The Uptown Theater at Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis with shattered glass windows. The windows were broken during a mass shooting that wounded 11.

Broken windows at the Uptown Theater

Uptown Theater marquee in Minneapolis as bicycle police stand outside during late-night street closures.
The Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is shown at night with its marquee reading “ASSURE YOU WE’RE NOT OPEN” as two Minneapolis police officers with bicycles stand on the sidewalk beneath the canopy. The theater, a longstanding landmark in the Uptown district, was closed during a period of unrest and restricted street activity in late June 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. The image documents police presence along the largely empty commercial corridor near Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue during overnight street closures.

Uptown Theater Marquee: ‘We’re Not Open’, Minneapolis Police

Boards on the Ananya Dance Theatre in St Paul
The Ananya Dance Theatre in St. Paul features murals painted on its boarded-up exterior. These artworks emerged in the aftermath of the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd, transforming the protective boards into a public expression of grief and calls for justice. The murals include messages such as "JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD" and "BLACK LIVES MATTER," alongside affirmations like "POC WOMAN OWNED," reflecting the theatre's identity and community solidarity. Ananya Dance Theatre, a professional dance company, uses performance to address social justice issues, making its building a fitting canvas for these protest art expressions.

Ananya Dance Theatre, St. Paul: George Floyd Mural

Stone Arch Cinema marquee displays "I'll Be Back, Hasta La Vista, Baby" message during 2020 closure.
Stone Arch Cinema operates at 117 SE Main Street in Minneapolis's St. Anthony Main district, along the east bank of the Mississippi River near the historic Stone Arch Bridge. The marquee's message — "I'll Be Back, Hasta La Vista, Baby" — quotes Arnold Schwarzenegger's line from "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." Theaters across Minnesota closed to in-person moviegoing in 2020 under statewide COVID-19 restrictions, and many independent cinemas used their marquees to post messages to passersby during the shutdown.

“I’ll Be Back” on the Stone Arch Cinema Marquee in St. Anthony Main

The time is always right to do what is right
The State Theatre, a historic performing arts venue on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, features a marquee displaying a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. The message, "The time is always right to do what is right".

State Theatre Marquee, MLK Quote & Murals, Minneapolis

Ford Center in Minneapolis's North Loop, a redeveloped former industrial complex along North Washington Avenue.
Ford Center, in Minneapolis's North Loop district, is a redeveloped industrial complex along North Washington Avenue. The former Ford Motor Company assembly plant site was converted into offices, retail space, and other commercial uses. This view places the complex within the surrounding warehouse district and nearby freeway corridor.

Ford Center, North Loop Minneapolis

State Theatre marquee in downtown Minneapolis displays art installation and Martin Luther King Jr. quote during snowstorm.
The State Theatre opened in 1921 on Hennepin Avenue as a movie palace, part of downtown Minneapolis's early 20th-century theater district. Architect J.R. Davidson designed the building in the Renaissance Revival style typical of the era's movie palaces. After decades as a cinema, the theater was restored as a live performance venue and now operates under Hennepin Theatre Trust, alongside the nearby Orpheum and Pantages theaters. Its marquee has displayed "The Overseer: Divinity and Humanity," an installation by artist Reggie Leflore, paired with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.

The State Theatre Marquee During a Hennepin Avenue Snowstorm

Ely State Theater on E Sheridan St. in Ely, Minnesota, with a marquee and downtown storefronts.
Ely State Theater at 238 E Sheridan St. in Ely, Minnesota, is a historic downtown movie theater. The theater’s marquee anchors one side of Sheridan Street in the city’s commercial district.

Ely State Theater, Ely, Minnesota

Downtown Minneapolis skyline obscured by wildfire smoke from Canadian fires.
Downtown Minneapolis is obscured by wildfire smoke from Canadian fires. The haze softens the city skyline and reduces visibility across the North Loop area.

Downtown Minneapolis skyline in wildfire smoke

Letters stacked up inside Uptown Theater
These are the letters that once adorned the Uptown Theater marquee on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. The theater, a landmark in the Uptown neighborhood, ceased operations during the COVID-19 pandemic when Landmark Theaters closed its doors.

Uptown Theater Marquee Letters, Minneapolis

Jungle Theater Marquee, Minneapolis
The illuminated marquee of the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis’s Lyn-Lake neighborhood, photographed at night. The Jungle has been a cornerstone of the area’s performing-arts culture since its founding in 1991, known for intimate productions and a focus on contemporary and classical works presented in a small black-box setting. Its signage—bold white lettering over a backlit panel—has become a recognizable part of the neighborhood’s streetscape and nightlife. The theater emerged during a period of renewed investment in the Lyn-Lake district, when independent venues, restaurants, and arts organizations were helping to define the neighborhood as a creative corridor between Uptown and Whittier. Over the decades, the Jungle has developed a reputation for staging artist-driven performances and supporting local talent, contributing to the broader evolution of Minneapolis’s community-based theater movement that gained momentum in the late 20th centur

Jungle Theater Marquee, Minneapolis

Empty Hennepin Ave Revamp SalonSpa
The Uptown Theater, a historic movie theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. Opened in 1926, the theater was designed by renowned architect William H. Wheeler and originally served as a vaudeville house before transitioning to film screenings. Adjacent to the theater is ReVamp! Salonspa, a modern business occupying a space within the same block.

ReVamp Salonspa and Uptown Theater, Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

Construction ongoing at the Uptown Theater
Demolition is underway at the former Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, a landmark that opened in 1926. The theater, located on Hennepin Avenue, was a significant cultural hub for the Uptown neighborhood for decades. Its closure and subsequent demolition mark the end of an era for this historic entertainment venue. The ongoing construction signifies a transformation of the site, though the specific future use remains to be seen.

Uptown Theater interior demolition, Minneapolis

Uptown Theater stands illuminated on snow-covered Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis at night.
The Uptown Theater stands at Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue in Minneapolis. It opened in 1929 as a movie palace and later became a well known music venue in the Uptown neighborhood before closing for renovation.

Uptown Theater’s Marquee Over a Snowy Hennepin Avenue

Russian Ballet Swan Lake on State Theater Marquee
Russian Ballet Theatre presents Swan Lake at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Local news reports say the Russian Ballet dancers are from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Armenia and will be dancing with the message “We Dance for Peace”.

Russian Ballet Swan Lake on State Theater Marquee

Orpheum Theatre sign on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis with RBC Gateway rising behind.
The Orpheum Theatre, a historic Minneapolis venue opened in 1921, stands adjacent to the modern Gateway Tower in the city's central business district. The Orpheum has been a premier destination for Broadway shows and live performances following numerous renovations.

Gateway Tower and Orpheum Theatre, Downtown Minneapolis

Riverside Theatre on a April 2022 evening
The Riverview Theatre in Minneapolis, a neighborhood cinema, is illuminated at night in April 2022. Opened in 1948, the theatre has been a fixture in the South Minneapolis community, showing films to generations of residents. Its marquee displays current showings, including "Belfast," "Licorice Pizza," and "Hotel Transylvania 4." The theatre continues to operate as a single-screen venue, offering a classic movie-going experience.

Riverview Theatre, Minneapolis, April 2022 Evening

Large crowd leaves a theater on Hennepin Ave in Downtown Minneapolis
Pedestrians cross Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis as they exit the Orpheum Theatre on a Friday night in August 2022. The Orpheum, a historic vaudeville house and movie palace, opened in 1921 and has hosted a variety of performances and events throughout its history.

Crowds exit Orpheum Theatre, Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

State Theater neon sign on Highway 1 in Ely, Minnesota, with parked vehicles and storefronts.
The State Theater anchors Sheridan Street in downtown Ely, a small city on Minnesota's Iron Range that serves as a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Ely's downtown developed around the mining and outfitting trades that supported the surrounding iron mines and, later, canoe-country tourism. Sheridan Street, part of State Highway 1, remains the town's main commercial corridor, lined with small businesses like Kerntz Appliance that have served the community for decades.

State Theater Sign, Sheridan Street in Ely, Minnesota

Gwar at the Skyway Theater
Gwar on the marquee of the Skyway Theatre in downtown Minneapolis.

Gwar at the Skyway Theater in Minneapolis

Uptown banner on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis beside the Uptown Theater sign.
The missing uptown theatre letters. The developer says they are rehabbing them.

Uptown Banner on Hennepin Avenue

Thank You Vets on a Minneapolis theatre marquee
The marquee at a theatre on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis displaying "THANK YOU VETS.

Minneapolis Theatre Marquee: Thank You Vets

Marquee for "Smelling Elon's Musk" at Brave New Workshop theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis.
The Dudley Riggs Theatre on Hennepin Avenue is home to Brave New Workshop, a satirical sketch comedy company founded in 1958. It bills itself as the oldest running satire theater in the United States, staging original topical revues rather than scripted plays from other writers. "Smelling Elon's Musk" is one of the company's recurring comedy productions, following its practice of naming shows after current events and public figures. The theater sits within a stretch of downtown Minneapolis venues along Hennepin Avenue that has long served the city's live entertainment .

Smelling Elon’s Musk Marquee, Dudley Riggs Theatre, Minneapolis

Soul Asylum Unplugged at the State Theatre in Minneapolis
Soul Asylum Unplugged at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis on April 15, 2023.

Soul Asylum Unplugged at the State Theatre in Minneapolis

Uptown theater with half the lights lit up in Minneapolis
The Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis is undergoing renovation. Originally opened in 1929, the venue has been a significant cultural landmark in the Uptown neighborhood. Following its extensive refurbishment, it is slated to reopen as one of the city's largest music venues.

Uptown Theater Renovation, Minneapolis

Uptown Theater marquee on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis at night with a police SUV parked outside.
The Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis reopened on its original date, October 23, following a period of closure and a change in ownership. The theater, a landmark since its construction in 1926, has historically served as a venue for film screenings and live performances. Its distinctive marquee and facade are characteristic of early 20th-century cinema architecture. The reopening marks a new chapter for the beloved Minneapolis institution, aiming to continue its cultural role in the city.

Uptown Theater Reopens on Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis

Uptown Theater reopening night in Minneapolis with red carpet guests outside the marquee.
The Uptown Theater in Minneapolis, a landmark on Hennepin Avenue, reopened its doors on its red carpet premiere night after renovations and pandemic-related closures. The theater, a significant cultural venue in the Uptown neighborhood, originally opened in 1926 and has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly a century. Its marquee, a prominent feature of the streetscape, announces "We Are Open" to passersby.

Uptown Theater Reopening Night Red Carpet Minneapolis

A yellow cross mounted on the brick facade of the abandoned Zenith Theater in Milwaukee.
This building on Milwaukee's south side once housed the Zenith Theater before being converted into a church.

Former Zenith Theater Building in Milwaukee

Abandoned brick church with "Jesus Saves" sign on facade in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Formerly the Zenith Theater, the long abandoned church still shows off it's Gothic Revival brickwork and arched window openings.

“Jesus Saves” Cross at Abandoned Church in Milwaukee

Uptown Theater sign in Minneapolis at night, above Hennepin Avenue.
Uptown Theater at Hennepin and Lagoon in Uptown Minneapolis. As seen in August 2023.

Rooftop View of Uptown Minneapolis and the Uptown Theater Sign

Motorcycles parked outside skyway theatre
Motorcycles and hot rodders outside the Skyway Theatre in Downtown Minneapolis.

Motorcycles and Hot Rodders at Skyway Theatre

Beatlejuice on the marquee at downtown theatre
The Orpheum Theatre, a historic venue in downtown Minneapolis, hosting the musical "Beetlejuice". Opened in 1921, the Orpheum is a significant example of Beaux-Arts architecture and has long served as a premier destination for touring Broadway shows and other live performances in the Twin Cities.

“Beetlejuice” Marquee at the Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue

Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, illuminated at night above railroad tracks in Minneapolis.
Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, is illuminated at night, viewed from the adjacent train tracks in Minneapolis.

Train Tracks Leading to Target Field at Night

Granada Theatre, Uptown Minneapolis: Comedy Festival & Latin Dance Night
The Granada Theatre, located on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, is a historic venue that has hosted a variety of events since its opening. Originally built as a movie palace, it has since transitioned to hosting live performances, concerts, and community gatherings. The marquee in October 2023 advertises the "10000 Laughs Comedy Festival" and "Salsa del Sol Latin Dance Night".

Granada Theatre, Uptown Minneapolis: Comedy Festival & Latin Dance Night

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, a historic Art Deco building on Lake Street in Minneapolis, illuminated at
The In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre is located on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Originally built as the Avalon Theatre in 1918.

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre at Night on Lake Street

Uptown Theater marquee in Minneapolis advertising Motion City Soundtrack and Happy Holidays
The illuminated marquee of the Uptown Theater in Uptown Minneapolis announces a Motion City Soundtrack performance on December 31, alongside a "Happy Holidays" message. Located at the corner of Lagoon and Hennepin Avenue, this historic cinema is a prominent architectural feature of the neighborhood.

Uptown Theater Marquee, Motion City Soundtrack, Minneapolis

Uptown Theater marquee in Minneapolis at night.
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.

Uptown Theater Marquee, Minneapolis

Black Violin, Baby Shark, Randy Rainbow on marquee
The illuminated marquee of the historic State Theatre stands on Hennepin Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis. Opened in 1921, the State Theatre is a significant performing arts venue, originally designed as a movie palace and vaudeville house.

State Theatre Marquee Glows on a Rainy Hennepin Avenue Night

Dudley Riggs Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, home of Brave New Workshop comedy.
Dudley Riggs Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis is the home of Brave New Workshop, a comedy and satire company founded in 1958. The marquee in January 2024 advertises a final week of performances for the holiday show “All I Want for Christmas Is You… to Elf Off.” The venue is part of Minneapolis's Hennepin Theatre District.

Brave New Workshop’s “Elf Off” Marquee at Dudley Riggs Theatre

Lit up theater sign in Minneapolis
Lit up sign at the Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. January 2024.

Neon Orpheum Theatre Sign on Hennepin Avenue

Orpheum Theatre marquee on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis at night.
The Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis in January 2024. The theater is one of the city’s major historic performing arts venues and hosts touring Broadway productions, concerts, and other stage performances.

Orpheum Theatre Marquee at Night on Hennepin Avenue

Uptown Theater on Hennepin Ave in Minneapolis on a rainy night
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.

Uptown Theater, Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, Rainy Night

Pedestrians and vehicles gather outside the illuminated Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis at night.
Patrons gather outside the Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis in March 2024. Opened in 1921 as a vaudeville house, the Orpheum Theatre is a significant part of Minneapolis's historic Hennepin Avenue theater district.

Crowds Outside the Orpheum Theatre for “Clue” on Hennepin Avenue

LynLake Brewery storefront on Lyndale Avenue with ACAB graffiti marked on adjacent commercial billboard at night in Minneapolis.
The LynLake Brewery, located on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis, occupies a building known for its distinctive theater-like architecture. Adjacent to the brewery, a commercial billboard features an advertisement that has been marked with the graffiti 'ACAB'.

“ACAB” Graffiti on Billboard Above LynLake Brewery

Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis during a crowd for Disney’s The Lion King.
Orpheum Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis hosts Disney’s The Lion King as theatergoers line up outside the venue. The Orpheum is one of the principal historic theaters on Hennepin Avenue and remains a major stop for Broadway touring productions in the city’s theater district.

Crowds Cross Hennepin Avenue for “The Lion King” at the Orpheum Theatre

Kids room inside the music box theatre
Music Box Theatre on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis. Built in the 1920s the theatre was recently purchased by Miracle City church.

Kids room at Music Box Theatre

Music Box theatre main room
Music Box Theatre on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis. Built in the 1920s the theatre was recently purchased by Miracle City church.

The Music Box Theatre in Minneapolis

Inside the music box theatre
Music Box Theatre on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis. Built in the 1920s the theatre was recently purchased by Miracle City church.

Music Box Theatre, Minneapolis

Ornate blue wall detail inside Music Box Theatre in Minneapolis.
Music Box Theatre on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis. Built in the 1920s the theatre was recently purchased by Miracle City church.

Inside Music Box Theatre

Painting inside music box theatre
Music Box Theatre on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis. Built in the 1920s the theatre was recently purchased by Miracle City church.

Painting inside Music Box Theatre

State Theatre marquee in downtown Minneapolis with Timberwolves messages and Charles Barkley welcome sign
The State Theatre marquee on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis displays messages supporting the Minnesota Timberwolves and welcoming Charles Barkley back to Minnesota.

State Theatre Marquee Welcomes Back Charles Barkley

Nighttime construction equipment and barriers line Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street near the Uptown Theater in Minneapolis.
Nighttime construction is underway on Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis's Uptown neighborhood.

Night Construction Near the Uptown Theatre Sign

Sneaky Pete's Wild West dinner show marquee illuminated at night in Wisconsin Dells.
Sneaky Pete's Wild West Dinner Show is a dinner theater in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, built around a fictional outlaw character named Sneaky Pete, complete with "Wanted" posters detailing his supposed crimes. The show pairs a live stage performance with a served meal, a format shared by several entertainment venues along the town's main tourist strip. That strip runs along Highway 12 and 13, the corridor where Wisconsin Dells concentrates its themed restaurants and family attractions.

Sneaky Pete’s Wild West Dinner Show at Night in Wisconsin Dells

Uptown Theater marquee displays illuminated signage advertising Sepultura concert on September 18.
The Uptown Theater marquee in Minneapolis with SEPULTURA on it.

Uptown Theater Marquee Advertises Sepultura’s Sept. 18 Show

Concertgoers queue outside the Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis amid street construction barriers.
A line at the Uptown Theater as heavy road construction on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis continues.

Ticket Line Outside Uptown Theater Amid Hennepin Avenue Construction

Illuminated Uptown Theater vertical sign on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis against a twilight sky.
The illuminated Uptown Theater sign stands tall on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis at dusk.

Uptown Theater Sign Glowing at Nightfall on Hennepin Avenue

Concertgoers queue outside the State Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.
A line of concertgoers waits outside the historic State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis for a performance by Anne Wilson.

Crowd Gathers Outside State Theatre on Hennepin Avenue

Target Field Station light rail platform at sunset with illuminated Ford Center building in Minneapolis North Loop.
Target Field Station, a light rail station in Minneapolis’s North Loop, is located adjacent to Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. In the foreground is the historic Ford Center.

Sunset Over the Ford Center and Target Field Station

Street vendor serves customers outside the illuminated Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis at night.
A street vendor outside the Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis.

Late-Night Food Cart Near the Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue

Uptown Theater marquee in Minneapolis announces Jerry Cantrell on Hennepin Avenue.
Looking down Hennepin Avenue at the Uptown Theater. The theater has Jerry Cantrell coming up.

Hennepin Avenue Sidewalk Near the Uptown Theater Marquee

Metro Transit B Line bus at the intersection of Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues in Uptown Minneapolis.
A Metro Transit B Line bus travels along Hennepin Avenue at its intersection with Lagoon Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. The B Line, launched in March 2022, is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route designed to provide faster and more reliable public transportation through key corridors of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Evening B Line Bus at Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues in Uptown

Lagoon Cinema in Minneapolis displays "ICE OUT NOW!" in its windows on January 29, 2026.
The Landmark Lagoon Cinema in Uptown Minneapolis displays "ICE OUT NOW!" in its windows on January 29, 2026 during Operation Metro Surge.

“ICE Out Now!” Sign at Lagoon Cinema on Lagoon Avenue

Built in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Photographer

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