Mayan memories: Unreel a few and win tickets!

The Mayan Theatre marks its eightieth birthday tonight -- and the survival of the art deco theater is indeed something to celebrate. There were times when it didn't seem like the Mayan would make it to the millennium, much less become the city's premier arthouse -- complete with a bar!...

By Patricia Calhoun

November 30, 2010

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The Mayan Theatre marks its eightieth birthday tonight -- and the survival of the art deco theater is indeed something to celebrate. There were times when it didn't seem like the Mayan would make it to the millennium, much less become the city's premier arthouse -- complete with a bar!

Susan Froyd remembers seeing Carrie at the Mayan in the '70s, long before Landmark Theatres restored the theater to its movie-palace glory. I caught the original Mad Max here, when the audience looked like they all would have qualified as extras for the post-apocalyptic movie.

Do you have memories of the Mayan? Pre-renovation or post-, we're collecting them all in the comments section below. Best story will get two tickets to the theater, good Monday through Thursday.

The deadline for submissions is noon tomorrow -- which gives you time to make some memories tonight at the Mayan Theatre 80th Anniversary Party.

The festivities start with a pre-party (with drink specials) at 6 p.m. at the theater, 110 Broadway, followed by a screening of The Wizard of Oz, and ending with a party at the nearby Hornet. The price? Just 25 cents. For more info, call 303-744-6799.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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