The Crest Theatre is a vital part of Sacramento’s artist community as well as its historical landscape. Started as a vaudeville venue in 1912, its restored gilt interior swoops and soars in an Art Deco style. The theater specializes in independent and foreign movies, as well as film festivals. The theater hasn’t quite left its vaudeville roots behind, as there is the occasional concert or other event. The history of the theater is demonstrated in its collection of theater memorabilia and other artifacts on display in the lobby.

The Crest began as the Empress in 1912, with an emphasis on vaudeville. In the late 1920’s it was remade into a movie house and re-christened the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome’s interior was demolished in 1946, and the Crest Theatre rose from the ashes. It ran movies until 1979, when it was forced to close its doors. It was re-opened in 1986, as part of a historical preservation effort, and in 1995, was restored to its 1912 thanks to a million-dollar facelift.

The Crest Theatre features several festivals each year. For example, there is the annual Trash Film Orgy, featuring cult classics. There is also the Festival of Cinema, which features the best of independent features. Another featured festival is the “A Place Called Sacramento,” featuring shorts created by the local public access channel. Recently the Crest has started the Sacramento Film and Music Festival, which features the best Sacramento-produced films, as well as videos created by the Sacramento Film-Makers Club and local musicians.

The Crest Theatre is located at 1013 K Street in downtown Sacramento, and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It has three screens, and can be rented for private screenings as well as other events. Call (916) 442-5189 for more information, including show times and upcoming events.