Alternative Film Theaters in the Triangle

Returning from living in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the most obvious areas in which the Triangle sometimes seems lacking is the availability of independent and foreign films. We often have to wait weeks or months before movies that open in larger cities make it here. However, we are far luckier than most of the rest of the state in our availability of local independent theaters and the level of effort that they do put into bringing these films to the area. Below are the places to watch for those hard-to-find films, as well other special offerings:
Carolina Theatre
309 Morgan St.
Durham, NC 27701
919-560-3060
http://www.carolinatheatre.org/

Not to be confused with the now defunct Carolina Theater which was located across from UNC in Chapel Hill, the Carolina Theatre (note the spelling) in Durham is an institution all its own. Opened in 1926, this theater was restored by the City of Durham in the early 1990’s. Notable as the host of several annual film festivals including the NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival; the Nevermore Horror, Gothic & Fantasy Film Festival; the Jewish Film Series and Just Here: Carolina Theatre Exclusives, the Carolina Theatre also offers an outstanding live performing arts series. Recent and upcoming artists include Judy Tenuta, Laurie Anderson, MOMIX: Passion, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and the New Shanghai Circus.
Located on the downtown loop in Durham, and adjacent to the Durham Convention & Visitors Center and the Omni Hotel, the front of the theater faces one of the area’s most memorable fountains. Parking is conveniently located across Morgan Street in the Durham Civic Centre parking deck and is usually $2 in the evenings. Discount parking tokens can be purchased at the theater box office. If the downstairs windows are closed, walk up the stairs to the left side of the theater for the upstairs box office. There is also an elevator inside the lobby.

Featuring a large refurbished, historical central theater from the days of grand cinema, the smaller of the two upstairs theaters does leave a bit to be desired, but if you are looking for something cultured and controversial in this area, this historical landmark is where you are most likely to find it. The Rialto
1620 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27608
919-856-0111 – Select: 02
http://www.therialto.com/

Notorious for a very different crowd, the Rialto is home to the Triangle’s production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. While the students get younger and younger every year, and now often attend with their parents, the regulars turn out week after week, dressed in costumes, leather and lingerie. The Rialto’s production features a showing of the movie on a screen behind a live cast, which act along, while coaches call out the local version of the lines and responses. Highlights include the ritual deflowering of the virgins (new attendees), an underwear run (attendees run through the aisles in their underwear – if you want to take part, make sure all our “naughty bits” are opaquely covered) and doing the Time Warp in the aisles. Shows are every Friday night at midnight, but arrive by 11:30pm. Cards, newspapers, toilet paper, etc. are allowed but squirt guns and some other items are not, and prop bags are also available for sale. For more information, including a list of what to bring and rules, go to: http://www.lickitlips.com/
The Rialto itself is another old, restored classic and is not dissimilar from its original appearance over 50 years ago.

Pictures:

1942: http://www.therialto.com/images_webpage/rialto_pic_42.html
2000: http://www.therialto.com/images_webpage/rialto_pic_00.html

With only one screen, the Rialto generally only offers one movie at a time (in addition to RHPS, of course). Located well inside the beltline at Five Points, it is convenient to many old Raleigh neighbors, but isn’t convenient to the rest of the Triangle. Parking is on-street, but regulars know which neighboring establishments don’t tow, and often utilize those on busy nights. Galaxy Cinema
770 Cary Towne Blvd.
Cary, NC 27511
919-463-9989
http://www.mygalaxycinema.com/

One of the smaller, modern theaters which closed due to the advent of the mega-multiplexes, this theater was first revived as Madstone Theaters and now as Galaxy Cinema. Focusing on diversity, with an emphasis on international and truly independent movies, the Galaxy succeeds by offering as many as ten movies at a time, alternating showings on its six screens. Offerings include special screenings of movies in their native languages without subtitles and other special events. Going beyond the usual popular alternative fare, suggest a movie that you would like to see and they will work to bring it to the theater. Annual and quarterly memberships include discounts and free tickets, and coupons for specific movies are often available on their website.

Located cattycorner to Cary Towne Center, Galaxy Cinema is convenient to I-40 at exit 291. A small, yet modern theater, with its own parking lot, this is the place to find art house films and foreign flicks you won’t find anywhere else in the Triangle.

Colony Theater
5438 Six Forks Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-856-0111 – Select: 01
http://www.therialto.com/

With only two screens, showing from two to four movies, this smaller theater is located at the intersection of Six Forks and Millbrook Road in North Raleigh. Convenient for those in North Raleigh, it is reasonably accessible from the beltline and shares a parking lot with a small strip of other stores. You may have noticed that mainstream sites such as Fandango.com and MovieTickets.com don’t always list independent theaters and special showings. Luckily the Triangle has its own fully-independent movie-listing site, founded in 1998:

http://www.movieminder.com/htmlindex.html