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Coming soon - another Ely movie screen

Greenstone Cinema, Grotto will soon be part of Ely State Theater

Keith Vandervort
Posted 1/27/21

ELY – This community’s Ely Historic State Theater (EHST) will soon have a second screen movie facility, named Greenstone Cinema to highlight the area’s geologic uniqueness.The title …

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Coming soon - another Ely movie screen

Greenstone Cinema, Grotto will soon be part of Ely State Theater

Posted

ELY – This community’s Ely Historic State Theater (EHST) will soon have a second screen movie facility, named Greenstone Cinema to highlight the area’s geologic uniqueness.
The title was chosen by the EHST board of directors from a list of 27 names suggested by patrons, staff, and board members.
“The list was narrowed to three choices which included the Voyageur, the Shagawa, and Greenstone,” said David Wigdahl, board president.
The new facility is being built in the former Salerno Land Office building adjacent to and just down the hall from the State Theater.
“Greenstone was chosen in part because of a large outcropping of greenstone rock in the basement of the building,” he said, “where we have plans to open the Greenstone Grotto, a gathering area for folks who may want to purchase a beverage and a treat and relax before or after a film on movie night, or at any time the building is open.”
The State Theater was very busy the first six months they were open for business before being closed again in November by state COVID-19 mandates.
“The theater screened 64 films, selling almost 3,800 tickets and averaging more than two movies per week,” Wigdahl said.
In addition, the venue hosted several live events including performances of “The Quiltmakers’ Gift” theatrical production, an outdoor movie at the Rockwood on July 4, the first indoor opera performance in the country during the pandemic in July, and a dance production and video introduction with the Reflections Dance Company in August. There was also a family film series and a wellness series last fall.
Ely’s Historic State Theater re-opened last week and is in the second week of their POV (Point of View) Women Directors eight-film series on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Discussion groups before and after the screenings of award-winning films including “Selma,” “Leave No Trace,” and “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (Mr. Rogers) are part of the event.
“This weekend is the long-awaited arrival of the new ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ paired with the original ‘Wonder Woman’ movie for a terrific double outing for WW fans,” Wigdahl said.
The Reflections Dance Company returns on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6-7, to introduce their new video “Home on Earth.”
The facility’s expanded concessions area just opened a new “pop-up” cafe featuring Belgian Snack Waffles (crispy golden pastries with caramelized pearls of sugar) and Belgian Drinking Chocolate (intense, velvety smooth chocolate melted into a delicious warm drink) that enhances their film fare offerings of popcorn and candy as well as soda, beer, and wine. “We are anticipating some Valentine’s Day specials in February including our first mixed drink special,” he added.