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After years of renovation and dormancy, the giant tarped veil has been lifted on the historic Balboa Theatre in the middle of the Gaslamp District.

Butted right up against the east end of Horton Plaza the sleeping giant has finally been awakened. For over twenty years the palatial vaudeville house turned Movie Theater's door have been closed to the public. This month, those doors open again.

The Balboa Theatre sits at the South West Corner of 4th and E, a 1,500 seat, single-balcony playhouse from the 1920's. The theater is reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood when going to the movies was a glamorous event. Men wore coats, ties and hats, women were adorned with gowns and jewels and smoking was cool. The re-opening of this legendary venue is the perfect opportunity to experience the past and pretend you're Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman for a night.

Put on your suits and cocktail dresses, play some Frank or Dino and hit up a restaurant with that old school feel. Think The Turf Supper Club in Golden Hill, Saska's in Mission Beach, or the Red Fox Steak House in Banker's Hill. All of which would also make fine destinations for drinks after as well.

Pick a show - with this plan, you can't go wrong.

1.19.08            Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight
1.26.08            Drum
1.27.08            Canadian Brass
2.11.08            Assad Brother Brazilian Guitar Festival
2.12.08            St. Petersburg Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
2.17.08            New Shanghai Circus
2.24.08            Bellydance Superstars
3.07.08            Dublin's Irish Cabaret
3.09.08            "A Year With Frog and Toad"
3.16.08            The Vienna Boys Choir
3.20.08            'In the Mood...A 1940's Musical'
3.28.08            First View - California Ballet Company
3.29.08            First View - California Ballet Company
5.03.08            Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano
5.10.08            Betty Buckley in Concert