The Little Theatre 
Front Entrance on East Av 
Interior, Little 2 in the back, 2-2008
| Location |
240 East Avenue, Rochester NY, 14607 ![[Directions]](/wiki/dd-start.png "Click for driving, walking, or bus directions from Google"){kind=small} |
| Hours |
| (Sunday-Thursday: 5pm-10pm) |
| (Friday/Saturday: 5pm-Midnight) |
| Phone |
| 585-258-0400 |
| Website |
![[WWW]](https://rocwiki.org/wiki/eggheadbeta/img/sycamore-www.png){kind=small} http://www.thelittle.org/ |
The Little Theatre is Rochester's best known (and best loved) venue for independent and art house movies, live music and art exhibits.
The original Little Theatre (Little #1) that we love today was the fifth cinema created in a small chain during the "little cinema movement," which was dedicated to showing "art films that appeal to the intelligent and sophisticated" in the 1920's. These theaters were built in response to the mass merchandising and the construction of huge 'movie palaces', which became popular in the 1920's.
In May 1982, William Coppard and John and Pam Blanpied bought the Little in order to refurbish it and bring it back to its former glory. By 1996, the Little had grown to a complex of five theaters. The original Little faces East Avenue. The remaining four theaters are housed in a complex facing Winthrop Street immediately behind the original theater.
In 1999, The Little was granted 501(c)3 status as a not-for-profit organization under the name of The Little Theatre Film Society, Inc. A large part of the theatre's financial support comes from memberships, grants and donations.
The theaters also offer popcorn with real butter and tasty, reasonably priced treats from the Little Cafe. The cafe is housed in same building as the newer theaters, and presents live music, ranging from jazz to acoustic, five nights a week.
The cafe is also home to monthly art exhibits showcasing some of Rochester's finest artists. Admittance for music and art is free of charge.
They also offer fresh baked goods, awesome coffee and Snapple. Great relaxed atmosphere and a nice "date night" for an alternative to the mall cinemas. The Little has been voted Rochester's BEST MOVIE THEATRE for the past three years in City Newspaper's BEST OF ROCHESTER poll, as well as BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE.
In 2007 The Little began The Preferred Care Little Buddies Series, which takes place the last Saturday of each month. The program offers a family friendly film and pre-show fun and educational event. Over 1,400 kids and their families have attended Little Buddies this year.
The last Monday of each month The Little presents the Emerging Filmakers Series, a collection of short films by local and statewide filmmakers.
The theatre is also a host venue for many community film festivals including The High Falls International Film Festival, ImageOut, The Rochester Jewish Film Festival, The Polish Film Festival and the Dance on Camera Film Festival, as well as their own Little Foreign Film Festival.
Limited parking is available at the Winthrop Street location. Free parking is also available at the 2 Vine parking lot and the East End Garage after 5:30 p.m. weekdays and all day weekends.
Comments:
Note: You must be logged in to add comments
2007-11-12 16:33:14 As of November 2007, the Little Theater Cafe has wireless access (as part of the Netsville network). —JonPetruccelli
2008-01-02 23:34:56 One of the best free art galleries in Rochester, with amazing food, great music and...oh...did I mention movies? The pre-movie talkbacks held from time to time are world class as well.
Most outstanding theatre in town, hands down. —RochesterRed
