Kiger's Notebook

Another dimension on the really big screen

This is an interesting addition coming the heels of Paragon Theaters' relaunch of the Chateau.

I guess the movie wars are underway.

Adding a new dimension to the largest movie screen in Rochester, Galaxy 14 Cine is upgrading its 25-foot-high, 60-foot-wide Mega Screen to use cutting-edge digital projection technology to show 3D movies.

Wehrenberg Theaters says when its new NEC 4K digital projector shows the animated 3D movie "Rio" on Friday, it will be the first time this technology has been used in the U.S.

This projector is designed specifically for giant screens to create a 3D experience as crisp as on any smaller screen.

Galaxy 14 is located in the Shoppes on Maine complex on South Broadway.

“This is something brand new to Rochester and its neighboring communities. Our guests have never experienced anything like this before," says Wehrenberg's CEO Ron Krueger.

Revamped Chateau to re-open next week

Ok, the third story in the Chateau Theater's trilogy (so far) will premiere next week, when it lights up with its new look and new agent (Paragon Theaters), like a Hollywood starlet showing off her new …facelift.

Here's some from an article in today's Post-Bulletin:

Look for the curtain to go up on the revamped Paragon Chateau 14  next week starting with three days of free family movies.

The theater, which has been closed since early February, will kick off its re-opening by showing free family films from Monday, March 28 through Wednesday, March 30.

Watch the Chateau website for what movies will be shown on during the Spring Break Special free showings.

The official grand opening for paying customers is slated for April 1. The line-up for that Friday night will include the premiere of Hop, the new animated/live action Easter movie.

Next week will be the first time the general public will get a chance to see the almost $2 million in remodeling and renovations done by Florida-based Paragon Theaters after acquiring the theater last owned by CineMagic/ Midwest Theatres.

Familiar faces return to Roch.'s Chateau

The Mitch is back.

After a three-year intermission with the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mitch Stevenson is stepping back into the world of popcorn and previews.

Stevenson, well known for opening and managing the Chateau Theatres in northeast Rochester from 2001 to 2008, is being called back onto the lobby carpet to take back on the role he created when Rochester developer Gus Chafoulias built the 14-screen movie theatre.

He stayed with the theater when it was purchased by Midwest Theatres/ CineMagic in 2006. He left in 2008 to sell the city of Rochester as a venue for conventions and sporting events.

Following the abrupt closure of the theater at the end of January, Florida-based Paragon Theaters took ownership of the theater from CineMagic.

Now a $1 million to $1.5 million renovation is under way at the theater and when it re-opens in a few weeks, Stevenson will again be in the director’s chair at Chateau.

“We're so excited to bring Mitch on board. He originally opened this theater and he fundamentally knows what works here,” said Becky Manuel of Paragon when announcing his role. "He plays an integral role in this community, and we know he'll be an extremely valuable asset to the Paragon Chateau 14 and her patrons.”

On the other side of the movie aisle, RCVB Executive Director Brad Jones is adjusting to the end of Stevenson's run working for him.

“He is a great relationship builder. It was great while it lasted, but his true love is with the movies,” said Jones.
 
When Stevenson officially leaves next week, Jones said he will start working on a plan to tweak how things work at the convention bureau. Once things are shifted a bit to create more efficiency, then Jones will fill Stevenson’s position as a sales manager for the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mitch is not the only familiar face from the Chateau’s early days that will be seen once again at the theater.

Look for the most popular dragon in Rochester – Chester the Dragon – to swoop back in to the Chateau.