Ragtag Cinema
38°57′03″N 92°19′31″W / 38.950775°N 92.325299°W
Ragtag Cinema is a
The first location, in a small storefront on 10th Street, featured couches and chairs to accommodate up to 75 guests for its one screen.[2] The theater moved to its present location a few blocks away in 2009. Several other small businesses are housed at the same address, including Uprise Bakery and Hitt Records.
History
The Ragtag Film Society formed in January 1998, with the goal of presenting a series of films in downtown Columbia, which would not otherwise be shown. Richard King (of
The organization began with no experience in the film business and little technical knowledge but received sufficient community support to continue the film series for more than the initial few weeks. Consistent attendance, grass-roots support, and a rotating staff of volunteers helped keep the screenings going for several seasons.
After some fundraising efforts including a benefit screening of
The theater relocated in 2009 to a new 10,000 square-foot location on Hitt Street. The redesign of the building was done by local architect Brian Pape and provides more theater capacity and more efficient use of space for the combined enterprises within. One theater room (130 seats) features traditional theater seating, while the other (70 seats) is a loose re-creation of the theater at the old location with seating composed of couches and vintage chairs. With construction completed in the Spring of '08, the building now houses Uprise Bakery and full bar, Ragtag Cinema, and Hitt Records on Hitt in one location.[4] The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Film selection
The Ragtag Cinema produces a monthly calendar which consists of an average of 12 events/movies per month. The cinema strives to bring a mix of films that reflect its audience's diversity. The cinema reads reviews, opinions and the choices of its brethren at the country's
References
- ^ Sturtz joins crowded field seeking seat in First Ward Archived 2008-08-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Independent movie house plans sequel Archived 2006-06-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ragtag Cinema » History Archived 2001-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "From Ragtag to riches". Columbia Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
Sources
- O’Brien, Dianna Borsi (2021). Historic Movie Theaters of Columbia Missouri. ISBN 9781467146401.