Englert Theatre Celebrates 100 Years with Bash on Wednesday

Whether it's catching a national musical act, watching your sons or daughters dance in the Nutcracker or settling in for the local symphony, for one reason or another, most people in Iowa City have a connection with the Englert Theatre.

The theater has been a staple in the community for as long as anyone can remember. This week the landmark is celebrating 100 years of presenting entertainment in downtown Iowa City with a birthday party.

People can stop by the Englert, 221 E. Washington St., from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday. There will be free gelato from Capanna and hand-crafted petit fors from Deluxe Cakes & Pastries in front of the theater and music by local duo Moonglow.

Here is more on the history of the Englert from the theater's staff:

On September 26, the Englert will celebrate 100 years of presenting entertainment in downtown Iowa City with a birthday party featuring free desserts and a performance by local band Moonglow.

To celebrate the milestone and show appreciation for the community that has sustained the theater for the past ten decades, the Englert will be serving free gelato from Capanna and hand-crafted petit fors from Deluxe Cakes & Pastries in front of the theater from noon-1pm on Wednesday, September 26. Local duo Moonglow (comprised of Peter Balestrieri and Josh Carroll) will perform songs that would have been popular in 1912, the year in which the theater first opened. The theater is located at 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City.

The Englert Theatre has a storied history as a downtown landmark. After its opening in 1912 by William and Etta Englert, the Englert soon became a center of entertainment in Iowa City by presenting vaudeville touring acts and three-reel films. In 1926 the theater was nearly destroyed by a massive fire that caused $125,000 worth of damage. Despite the devastation, the theater was rebuilt with modern movies in mind, and was actually modified into two, small-screen theater spaces during the 1980s. When the managers of the Englert decided to close the theater and sell the aging building in 1999, it was purchased by a bar owner. Not wanting to see the theater disappear, a group of concerned citizens persuaded the City of Iowa City to purchase the Englert and hold it in trust. For the next few years, hundreds of local businesses and individuals contributed to the “Save the Englert” campaign to raise the funds necessary to restore the theater to its former grandeur. Finally, in 2004, the community saw its dream become reality with the reopening of The Englert Theatre as a live music venue, presenting its first live performance in over 60 years. Today, the Englert stands as a testament to all who believed in its creation.

As a part of The Englert Centennial Celebration, the theater will host performances by Alloy Orchestra (Oct. 11), the Kronos Quartet (Oct. 18), Rosanne Cash (Oct. 19), Marilynne Robinson (Oct. 24), and The Klezmatics (Nov. 8).  On October 13 from 5-7pm the Englert will host a party for current and past friends and advocates of theater at the Johnson County Historical Society Museum. The museum is currently featuring an exhibit called Iowa City’s Metropolitan Playhouse: Celebrating The Englert Theatre’s 100th Anniversary. For more information, visit www.englert.org.