Rockland, Maine - The Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street, will thank Rockland residents for their long-time support of the theater by offering them free admission to all regularly scheduled films during “Rockland Days,” July 31 - August 2. The Strand will be showing a double-bill of the locally filmed “Two Faces of the Tide” and “Deep Waters ” on Sunday, August 2 at 2pm, as well as multiple screenings of “Mr. Holmes.”
The weekend wraps up the Strand’s month-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of it’s re-opening. The theater was originally built by Rockland businessman Joseph Dondis during a six-week period in the winter of 1922–1923. The Strand remained in the Dondis family until July 2000 when Meredith Dondis decided to retire and sell it. The new owner kept the theater open as a second-run facility for a year before it was once again sold, this time to a multiplex theater, also located in Rockland. The Strand was never re-opened, and the building sat empty and decaying for three years. The ensuing controversy over the multiplex's refusal to reopen the theater's doors led to public outrage by the citizens of Rockland and an anti-trust lawsuit filed by the State Attorney General's office in January 2004.
Soon after, the Simmons Family purchased the Strand from the multiplex, and began an 18 month renovation of the historic building to return the theater as closely as possible to its original 1920’s character, while assuring that the building would also be a comfortable, state-of-the-art, modern facility. The balcony, which had been converted to a small auditorium for a second theater, was opened up to return the theater to a single auditorium of 350 seats; the gilded proscenium arch and tin ceiling were restored, new sound and projection equipment were installed, and a bright new marquee modeled on the original was added to the front of the building.
The Strand Theatre re-opened on July 3, 2005 with overwhelming support and enthusiasm from the citizens of Rockland, a block party and open house, and a sold-out screening of Buster Keaton's silent film The General. The Strand Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its historic, cultural and architectural significance. The theater now offers a diverse year-round program of film, live music and other special events.
Free admission is offered to Rockland residents only; please bring proof of residency. For the film schedule or more information, visit www.rocklandstrand.com. Tel: (207) 594-0070 EX 3 Email: info@rocklandstrand.com
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