The city has enough bars. And beaches are fun, but most aren’t accessible in the evenings or in the winter months.
That’s why David Schweiger, Larry Smith and Laura Cipriani decided to open Pink Pelicans, a small movie theater that will show indie films directed at the LGBT community.
“When we [Schweiger and Smith] lived in Atlanta we made a movie and we couldn’t get it screened anywhere,” Smith says. “It was really a difficult process for us. So when we moved to St. Petersburg we thought, ‘Let’s give filmmakers a chance to show their work and cater to our community.’”
After several months of planning—and totally renovating the 1,570-square-foot former law office into a 43-seat theater—Pink Pelicans is ready to hold its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.
Pink Pelicans is more than just an intimate movie theater for the LGBT community. It’s also a wifi lounge, bar and retail store.
“We want to offer a combined experience,” says Schweiger, who has been partnered with Smith for 10 years. “People from the gay community and the straight community are welcome to come in, relax, hang out on their laptops and enjoy a film. We’ll also offer coffee along with our beer and wine.”
Pink Pelicans is not in competition with the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, according to Smith. The movies to be screened at the small theater are films that may not have made it onto the film festival circuit or are ones that have already been played around the country.
“We’ve talked with the film festival and we’re excited to work with them in some future ventures,” Smith says. “But we’re not taking anything away from the great work they do. We’re just offering another chance to catch some great LGBT cinema.”
Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their films for screening, Smith says. He says the theater will consider all kinds of films, as long as they aren’t pornographic.
Films are near and dear to all three of the owners of Pink Pelicans. Smith and Schweiger have made films in the past and are currently marketing a comedy script. Cipriani is a pastry chef-turned-actress who plans to appear in an upcoming feature written by Smith and Schweiger.
“That’s how we met,” Cipriani says. “I saw an ad for a lead role in an independent film and I answered. It was these guys looking for their cast. We hit it off and are now involved in this venture.”
Pink Pelicans is at 25b Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in downtown St. Petersburg—well away from the LGBT-populated Grand Central District. The reason for that is simple, Smith says.
“Money. Grand Central is outrageously priced,” Smith says. “That and we just couldn’t find a space that would work. We looked for a location for three months and this place seems to be centrally located.”
There has already been plenty of buzz about the theater. Smith and Schweiger have handed out business cards on Sunset Beach and have talked about the theater at The Flamingo Resort. So far, interest seems to be very high.
“I think there’s a need for the theater because there isn’t anything like this in the area,” Cipriani says. “This gives people another social outlet besides the bars.”
Smith is quick to point out that Pink Pelicans is not in competition with St. Petersburg bars.
“We don’t have a liquor license and we’re not a nightclub by any stretch,” Smith says. “We offer people a chance to socialize, have a cocktail and enjoy a film they may otherwise never see.”
The films slated for the theater are sent directly from distributors, Smith says. Each day, male and female films will be screened and several transgender-themed screenings are in the works.
“We don’t want to leave anyone out,” Smith says. “We’re all about including everyone in the community so we offer a selection.”
Film times vary depending on the movies screened. Updates on show times will be provided on the Pink Pelican web site.
Smith says the story behind the name of the theater is pretty simple. He says when he and Schweiger would talk about opening a business—any business—he wanted to call it Pink Pelicans.
“Pelicans are kind of butch birds,” Smith laughs. “And if you picture him pink, you know he’s gay. It’s just a fun name I’ve always thought would make for a great marketing tool.”
The theater’s grand opening celebration begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 and the first 10 couples in line will receive free movie tickets.
Other events are also in the works. Metro Charities will hold a fundraiser there on Dec. 13 and several area companies—including Georgie’s Alibi—have rented the theater space for private parties.
For more information on Pink Pelicans, visit the theater’s web site or call 727-826-8625.
What: Pink Pelicans Theater grand opening
Where: 25b Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Petersburg
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
Tickets: PinkPelicans.com
