Multitasking Movie Theaters

There’s more to life than chick flicks and summer blockbusters.

Your trip to the cineplex doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time for a Hollywood fantasy; the “alternative content” movement has theaters courting patrons by projecting a variety of options, from boxing matches to opera. So when you buy your movie-theater ticket, you may find yourself at:
 

The Met (Regal Dole Cannery)

Can’t make it to the New York Metropolitan Opera? It comes to you. This season highlights Puccini, Verdi and Rossini. Tickets go on sale in September.
 

The concert arena (Consolidated and Regal)

Recent live music events beamed into theaters include The Black Eyed Peas, Celine Dion and Kenny Chesney.

The kickoff

At Consolidated Koolau, every UH game goes live and large. During the game, ushers stand by so you can place your food order and not miss a single play.

Ringside (Regal Dole Cannery)

Can’t make it to the latest Mayweather or Ultimate Fighting Challenge bout? Check out the fight lineup on ncm.com or fandango.com.

A New York Arthouse (Consolidated Kahala)

The Angelika Film Center, the best-known independent film theater in the United States, has partnered with Consolidated Theatres to bring you interesting and unusual films at the same time they play in New York.

The Museum

Once a month, Friends of Film Friday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts’s Doris Duke Theatre offers a glass of wine, dinner for purchase, a fascinating film (classic, foreign or cutting edge) and a post-screening discussion, often with the filmmakers themselves. The Doris Duke also hosts film festivals; July’s theme is surfing.

Purchase Consolidated and Regal tickets in person at the box office, or online at fandango.com. For the Doris Duke Theatre, visit honoluluacademy.org or buy tickets at the theater door, 30 minutes before each showing.
 

The buzz inside the theater doesn’t stop when the marquee goes dark. Consolidated Theatres’ events and promotions manager Rachel Gibson says their spaces are also used for:

Church services. Worship? Why not? Several Sunday congregations worship at the ’plex.

Karaoke. It’s easier to read the words when they’re a foot tall.

Gaming. One you’ve played Mario Kart on a 40-foot screen, it’s hard to go back.

Special screenings. Hankering for Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen? Snag the DVD, call a theater and gather your film-buff friends.

Business presentations. Large corporations and small startups alike have used the theaters at Consolidated to make a pitch or conduct training.

Find out about national events coming to move theaters near you at fathomevents.com or thehotticket.net.