Varsity Theatre to close Thursday

**dustinal** · 01-07-2009, 12:59 PM

Mid-Iowa Newspapers - Varsity Theatre to close Thursday

This is sad news. I can't say I went to the Varsity often, but I always enjoyed having the option of seeing some arthouse and independent features that you wouldn't otherwise get a chance to see. I guess there's always Netflix.

**4429 mcc** · 01-07-2009, 01:01 PM

Great place for nice big bar.

**CyGuy33** · 01-07-2009, 01:02 PM

The Varsity is where I saw Napolian Dynamite for the first time.

People's should open up there again.

**ultracreative** · 01-07-2009, 01:02 PM

A vintage place to see a flick. Really sad to see this happen :(

**4429 mcc** · 01-07-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by CyGuy33

The Varsity is where I saw Napolian Dynamite for the first time.

People's should open up there again.

+1

**cybsball20** · 01-07-2009, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by 4429 mcc

Great place for nice big bar.

Agreed, my favorite bar in Gainesville was an old movie theater, made for great concerts too... Was there for Sister Hazel's "All for You" video shoot...

edit
That would be a GREAT place for People's to reopen!

**Knownothing** · 01-07-2009, 01:05 PM

I saw one movie I liked there. "The Gods Must Be Crazy". It was a great movie. The rest of them were artsy peices of crap that I wanted to hang myself afterword. Luckily Hary Mary's/Safari was right around the corner so I could go listen to some punk music and do shots of Jager.

**Palmer** · 01-07-2009, 01:07 PM

sadness!

Saw 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Unforgiven' there!

**danrog** · 01-07-2009, 01:07 PM

I saw There Will be Blood there, but me and my girlfriend were 2 of 6 people there for that movie. Can't say I am surprised, but am a little saddened.

**4429 mcc** · 01-07-2009, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

I saw one movie I liked there. "The Gods Must Be Crazy". It was a great movie. The rest of them were artsy peices of crap that I wanted to hang myself afterword. Luckily Hary Mary's/Safari was right around the corner so I could go listen to some punk music and do shots of Jager.

Are you thinking of the varsity in Des Moines or Ames?

**Wesley** · 01-07-2009, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Knownothing

I saw one movie I liked there. "The Gods Must Be Crazy". It was a great movie. The rest of them were artsy peices of crap that I wanted to hang myself afterword. Luckily Hary Mary's/Safari was right around the corner so I could go listen to some punk music and do shots of Jager.

Like Teeth?

If Geno had only taken the team to the Varsity instead of swimming or playing Dodgeball, their goals might have been met.

**EggMcClone** · 01-07-2009, 01:11 PM

That sucks. I saw a lot of great movies that I would have never seen without it. Unfortunately it didn't really get the support I thought it should have then either.

**FlashGordon** · 01-07-2009, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley

If Geno had only taken the team to the Varsity instead of swimming or playing Dodgeball, their goals might have been met.

As a former employee, I can tell you the place needed a lot more than that.

Lots of great memories from the place, particularly the midnight shows, Napoleon Dynamite's epic run, and being there for the last VEISHIA riot. It will be missed.

**Knownothing** · 01-07-2009, 01:15 PM

des moines

**CYKXBUT** · 01-07-2009, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by dustinal

Mid-Iowa Newspapers - Varsity Theatre to close Thursday

This is sad news. I can't say I went to the Varsity often, but I always enjoyed having the option of seeing some arthouse and independent features that you wouldn't otherwise get a chance to see. I guess there's always Netflix.

I wonder how many times it had closed before? I know it "closed" at least once while I was at ISU.