This is a tad early for a save-the-date notice, but a special lecture is coming up next year.
In January, I will be doing a talk on architect Timothy Pflueger for the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society. As a special treat, the lecture will take place inside the Pflueger-designed Alameda Theatre, resplendent since its $15.2 million restoration in the heart of downtown Alameda.
The lecture will cover Pflueger’s humble beginnings as a son of working class German immigrants to his rise as one of the city’s most prominent architects of the 1920s to the late 1940s. Many of Tom Paiva’s gorgeous photos from our book Art Deco San Francisco will illustrate the evolution of Pflueger’s work — from his early training in the Beaux-Arts style to the exotic movie palaces such as the Paramount and Alameda, to more streamlined work of the Great Depression, to the first inkling of modernism in buildings like the Transbay Terminal.
Because of the special venue at the Alameda, which was dark as a movie theatre for nearly 30 years before its grand 2008 reopening, the slideshow presentation will include some discussion of the restoration project. The nearly $40 million project included building a new cineplex connected to the historic theatre, constructing a parking garage and the restoration of the 1932 theatre.
Alameda Architectural Preservation Society members are free. Non-members are welcome for $5.00, and books will be available at a discount.
Please come to the talk on Sunday, January 24 at 6:00 pm, especially if you have not yet been inside this incredible theatre, which can again be called a movie palace.
If you can’t wait until then, there are plenty of first-run movies playing now. In addition, the Alameda Theatre is offering a classic film series in the historic theatre, starting off this week with “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Other films in the series include “The Bishop’s Wife” and the holiday favorite, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Timothy Pflueger Blog 
The talk was awesome. Being in the Alameda was even better. The lighting scheme in this place alone is worth the trip.
I think I saw both red and green bulbs in one of the light fixtures above the stage and I’m wondering if the original lighting scheme included red and green bulbs in all the light fixtures. If so, I’m wondering if it’s symbolzing the red and green navigational color scheme?
The Alameda is awesome. Thanks for coming to the lecture.