FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A dinner-and-a-movie night in downtown Fresno is being billed as a way for neighbors to enjoy a meal, watch a film and help preserve a nearly 80-year-old local landmark.
The historic Crest Theater and Chef Paul’s Cafe are partnering on a fundraiser to help pay for repairs to the theater’s air conditioning unit.
A dinner-and-a-movie night in downtown Fresno is being billed as a way for neighbors to enjoy a meal, watch a film and help preserve a nearly 80-year-old local landmark (VIDEO: MADISON WILBER).
The owners are trying to raise $35,000 for the fix, and they said 100 percent of the proceeds from the event will go toward repairing the A/C.
The historic Crest Theater and Chef Paul’s Cafe are partnering on a fundraiser to help pay for repairs to the theater’s air conditioning unit (PHOTO: The Crest Legacy Foundation).
Co-owner Gabriel Rodriguez, who owns the Crest Theater with his wife, said the theater holds deep meaning for longtime Fresno neighbors.
“People can remember the marquee being seen from the mountains and people driving by and being able to see the theater,” Rodriguez said. “It’s not just a piece of history. It’s a piece of Fresno.”
Rodriguez said the theater was built in 1949 by Fox West Coast and was originally actually owned by actor Mel Brooks.
He said his wife’s mother bought it from Brooks in 1995.
The dinner and movie show is scheduled for Saturday. May 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with tickets on sale (PHOTO: MADISON WILBER).
“Anyone who’s lived here long enough knows the history of Fresno, they know this corner. People have come to us and talked about how they’ve met their spouse here(and) they had their first date here,” Rodriguez said. “There’s all sorts of stories like that and we want to just be able to continue that.”
The owners are trying to raise $35,000 for the fix, and they said 100 percent of the proceeds from the event will go toward repairing the A/C (PHOTO: MADISON WILBER).
The dinner and movie show is scheduled for Saturday. May 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with tickets on sale.
Rodriguez said the theater will be set up for dining inside.
With May 4 approaching, the movie selection will “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (PHOTO: MADISON WILBER).
“We’ll pop all the tables out and chairs and everyone will be able to sit in and enjoy the food,” he said. “It’s really good food, really good soul food.”
The historic Crest Theater and Chef Paul’s Cafe are partnering on a fundraiser to help pay for repairs to the theater’s air conditioning unit (PHOTO: MADISON WILBER).
With May 4 approaching, the movie selection will “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Rodriguez said attendees can expect themed activities.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun. We have costumes,” he said. “There’s going to be all sorts of stuff going on here.”
Rodriguez said the partnership with Chef Paul’s Cafe is key to making the fundraiser possible.
To buy a ticket to the event, click HERE.
To donate to the theater’s Go-Fund-Me, click HERE.