U DISTRICT, Wash. — Less than a month after officially announcing their move into the historic Varsity Theater, the U-District’s beloved Grand Illusion Cinema provided an update on the process.
While the Grand Illusion has not confirmed an opening date, they are hard at work getting the theater back into shape, according to a new Facebook post.
“We’ve been hard at work in our new home, doing things like turning on big work lights, loosening hundreds of screws and bolts, and swinging sledgehammers (don’t worry, the classy main auditorium is unharmed),” the Grand Illusion Cinema wrote on Facebook.
In their update, the Grand Illusion also announced the launching of a $200,000 fundraising campaign. The funds will go to helping the Grand Illusion fix up the theater, “install new cinema equipment,” and when they do open their doors, help their first year run smoothly.
For more information on their move and to donate, visit their website here.
©2026 Cox Media Group
