You are invited to a very special guided private tour of the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, which is celebrating 50 years since it was perfectly restored and is still absolutely impeccable today. If you are planning to come to the Art Deco Preservation Ball in May, this will give you an even deeper appreciation of all that Timothy Pflueger designed… and you will see many parts of the theatre not usually open to the public.

If you agree that every city should preserve at least one beautiful movie palace, you will see why the Paramount set the tone for hundreds of cities around the world to restore, rather than demolish, one of their best theaters to use for film, symphony, ballet, comedy, and many other events.

The Paramount was the very FIRST to be reborn as a concert hall when it became the home of Oakland Symphony. The most meticulous restoration took place and is still taking place, as the projects are always ongoing to make it more and more perfect all the time. The lighting, the carpets, the lounge areas, the curtain, the smoking room, the plush seats, the “golden maidens” and fountain of light surrounding the lobby… it's all quite breathtaking.

The tour will be given by “master docent” Ken Marquis who draws from so much history, with wonderful stories he shares as we go through every room.

This tour is meant for Art Deco Society members and guests and will make for a most enjoyable evening.

It starts promptly at 6:00 and we promise: it's fascinating! Afterward, let's plan to walk around the corner to have a cocktail at Palmetto, inside one of the most exquisite Art Deco buildings you will ever see, the former “Oakland Floral Depot”.

Vintage attire admired but not required.

Parking is available directly across from the Box Office, or on the corner of Broadway and 21st.

Pubic Transit from San Francisco is so easy! Take BART to the 19th Street stop; the Paramount is within a block of the exit.

The Paramount is on the corner of Broadway and 21st Street.

Enter through the Box Office on 21st Street.

Tickets are $10. Reservations are required!