A grand theater focusing on the finest in independent and foreign-language film.

by Contributor

In Short
Built in 1930, the Mayan is one of the country's three remaining theaters designed in the Art Deco-Mayan revival style. Restored in the mid-1980s, the three-screen house boasts two small theaters upstairs and a large auditorium below with a Dolby Digital sound system. The Mayan offers a full-service bar and two concession stations packed with high-end goodies including Ben & Jerry's Peace Pops, black and herbal iced teas, espresso drinks and popcorn.

07/12/06

Grinning From Another Dimension

by neilslade

The Mayan-- oh what memories I have of this theater that compare to none other....

When I was 20 years old, I went to see the psychedelic film Rainbow Bridge, starring Jimi Hendrix. That night I took a strong dose of mescaline- and before my very eyes the theater, already with a surrealist atmosphere of sinister grinning aztec and mayan faces looking down on the audience from every high corner, from another dimension - turned into a kaleidoscope of bizarre images. The audience took on a collective insane, hilarious, and paranoid character- and then the film- I could remember NOTHING of the film when it was over, except that PEOPLE FLEW in the film.

Years later, I moved into the Mayan neighborhood, and the theater had degenerated into a $1 movie house, and on many late afternoons I entertained myself in seats that had springs poking me in the butt- but it was swell anyway- I could hardly afford any other distractions.

Years later again, the theater was lovingly restored, and I've seen many a film there- without hallucinating or being poked in my glutimus maximus. The espresso bar is a nice touch, the films are good, its comfortable- and there is NOTHING LIKE IT anywhere else--

Its in the FACES- all still there, grinning. :-)

Neil Slade

The Amazing Brain Adventure on the WEB

and

911think on the WEB

• Pros: nothing else like it
• Cons: parking can be difficult

06/21/02

The Thinking Person's Theatre

by martsara

The Mayan is one of the few theatres remaing that captures the old magic of movie-going: beautiful architecture, films worth watching, and a quiet and interested audience. The films selected for showing are of such consistent quality, that one can just pick a title at random. The snack bar is great: hot tea with honey, and a selection of popcorn toppings! Plus, the real bonus, no screaming kids or stunted adults screaming or commenting throughout the movie!

• Pros: film selection, audiences, atmosphere
• Cons: smaller screens, sound qual. not high