The 'Doggie-Style' Show Will Go On at The New Parkway

A dog-friendly screening of Beginners at The New Parkway theater, 424 - 24th St., Oakland, will take place Saturday, June 8, at 3 p.m. whether or not a self-imposed minimum of advance tickets are sold, the theater's programmer, Randy Collins, said Wednesday.

"It's important to take a chance with an inaugural program," he said.

Collins said he doesn't know of any other movie theaters in the U.S. that permit customers to bring their dogs to a film showing.

Saturday's show is an experiment, the first time The New Parkway has opened its doors to four-legged film buffs.

Collins said the theaters doors will open at 2:30 p.m. and customers will need to take their dogs into the auditorium as soon as they arrive. Dogs won't be permitted near the theater's cafe or food preparation areas, he said.

He said the theater staff has allotted an hour and a half — much more than the usual amount of time — for a thorough cleaning after the "doggie-style" screening, with replacement of couch covers and steam cleaning. 

The theater staff is sensitive to concerns of customers with dog allergies who plan to attend later shows, he said.

Tickets for the screening are $8 per person (no ticket needed for your dog) and are available in advance through Brown Paper Tickets.

You may read more about the dog-friendly showing in "Dog-Friendly Movies? The New Parkway Invites Fido to the Show — Experimentally."