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  The Cerrito Theater
Preserving a reel community landmark
  
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Donatations to Friends

List of Donors

As a historic structure in the heart of El Cerrito's commercial district, the Cerrito is being used for a variety of community events. The effort to return the Cerrito to life began as a community effort, and the community continues to play a major role in its renovation.

The City of El Cerrito lent critically important Redevelopment funds to the Cerrito restoration; these funds were used to restore the theater and purchase equipment. The theater operator — Speakeasy Theaters, which owns the Parkway Speakeasy Theater — has also made a significant financial commitment. These generous contributions were not, however, sufficient to pay for all the costs of the theater renovation.

We turned to the community to restore certain historic elements that make the Cerrito so special: the extraordinary murals, the art glass and, most important, the marquee. Built in the style of the original Cerrito marquee, with the word "CERRITO" outlined in blue neon lights, the marquee welcomes visitors to town and to the theater. The original marquee was a city landmark, and, thanks to our community effort, it is again.

Friends will continue to function, primarily as a watchdog to ensure the theater is preserved in the future. Donations are used to ensure the theater is preserved in the future, for repairs and renovations to historic elements, to foster community around this historic resource, and to pay for such incidentals as hosting this website. All donors are recognized at this page.

List of Donors
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