Since opening in 1997, the Parkway Speakeasy Theater has enjoyed great local success and worldwide media attention. Nestled in the East Lakeshore neighborhood near downtown Oakland [map], this premiere theater-of-its-kind in California offers patrons comfy couches, an extensive and tasty menu, pitchers of beer and a wide selection of movies. But that’s not all. Special programming and community events make the Parkway Speakeasy Theater a unique establishment committed to serving the needs of its ever-growing, diverse audience.
More than just movies
Will Viharo serves as programmer and publicist for the Parkway and its sister theater, the Cerrito Speakeasy Theater, which opened last fall.
Almost ten years ago, Viharo began hosting a midnight series that evolved into the cult phenomenon now known as Thrillville. He describes the Parkway as “a trusted community center,” explaining that part of the Parkway’s character is to reflect the eclectic community it serves.
Shortly after the theater opened, the audience demographic was established and various audience needs became apparent. In response, Parkway owners and programming staff stepped up to offer patrons and local residents a meeting place where they could educate, inform and entertain each other.
Over the years the theater has provided a public forum where members of the community can meet and mingle, discuss their issues of interest and concern, showcase their filmmaking talents, or just spend the evening singing along to Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The theater has become a pillar of the community, a popular meeting place for people from all walks of life—a fact that brings Viharo great pride and personal gratification.
Take the Sunday Salon, offered once every other month, as an example. Sunday Salon offers a voice for “community activists, grassroots organizations, conscientious artists, and regular folks committed to the enrichment of the human experience.”
At the upcoming Sunday Salon on February 11, the League of Women Voters of Oakland will host a free viewing of “Iron Jawed Angels,” depicting the struggle of suffragists who fought for voting rights for women, with a discussion immediately following the film.
The Parkway also features the African Diaspora Cinema film and discussion one Sunday a month, a local filmmakers showcase every other month, and the Frameline International LGBT Film Festival and Black LGBT Film Festival each year, among other events.
Parkway movies and special programming
Movies shown at the Parkway are typically second-run, with an occasional cult classic or other special film shown just for fun or on behalf of a local community organization. Admission will be $6 per person starting February 2.
Because alcohol is served, shows are ages 21+ with the exceptions of Sunday nights (all ages), Saturday matinees (all ages) and the Saturday midnight performances of the Rocky Horror Picture show (ages 17+).
Most movie nights have a special theme:
- Sundays are “Family Night,” where parents with toddlers-to-teens are encouraged to attend
- Monday night “Baby Brigades” offer parents with new babies a chance to catch a recent release in an actual movie theater
- Tuesdays are “Lucky Raffle Nights,” with group admission discounts available
- Wednesdays are “two-for-one” admission night, where each pair of patrons pays the cost of one admission
- Thursdays often feature Thrillville movies—the “finest, funkiest and freakiest flicks” from the 50s, 60s and 70s, along with trivia, prizes, celebrity guests and more
- Saturdays offer all-ages reduced admission matinees and, at midnight every week, the Rocky Horror Picture Show presented by Barely Legal.
Coming up at the Parkway in February:
- Sunday, February 4: the Superbowl on both screens ($2 admission)
- Sunday, February 11: Sunday Salon featuring “Iron Jawed Angels,” hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oakland (free)
- Tuesday, February 20: “This Is Spinal Tap,” a benefit for the Midnight Special Law Collective, a nonprofit offering legal training and support for social-change activists ($8 admission)
- Sunday, February 25: annual Oscar Bash (advance tickets on sale February 11 at 4pm, $15, maximum 4 tickets per person)
If you haven’t been to the Parkway recently, check it out during the four days January 29–31 and enjoy a two-for-one admission in honor of their 10-year anniversary. The movie schedule is always available online, and emailed schedule updates are available.
When you do go, make sure you don’t park in the Kragen lot!
Parkway Speakeasy Theater
1834 Park Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 814-2400
www.parkway-speakeasy.com
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