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Next ImageAn 88-year-old music venue in Falls Church is continuing to breathe new life into classic hits with a cornucopia of cover bands.
With tributes to artists like Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin all in the lineup of upcoming shows, the State Theatre at 220 N. Washington Street seeks to retain nostalgic charm while appealing to concertgoers of all stripes.
“Some folks come to relive the concerts of their youth, and others to experience the music for the first time,” Chief Operating Officer Meredith Johnstone told ARLnow. “It means a lot to us to keep that era of music alive and share it with fans, young and old alike.”
A long history
The State Theatre’s history dates back to 1936, when it was first constructed as the flagship location of the Neighborhood Theatres, a regional movie theater operator.
Reportedly the first theater on the East Coast to have central air conditioning, it spent many years playing blockbusters like “Jaws” and the “Star Wars” trilogies, Johnstone said. To this day, Johnstone said many Falls Church natives still reminisce about seeing movies there or share family connections to the venue.
But all good things come to an end, and the State Theatre showed its last movie, “Die Hard,” in 1988.
Current owner Thomas Carter purchased the movie theater in the late 1990s and led the charge on a multimillion dollar remodel to make space for full-service dining, standing and dancing in the auditorium.
Two bars and a full-service restaurant were added to the interior, serving wine and beer as well as classics like fries, nachos and chicken tenders.
The theater reopened in 1999, retaining some of its original charm — including the same theatrical stage, art deco design and movie theater seating in the balcony.
Today, the theater is the only Neighborhood Theatre location still standing as an entertainment venue. In the lobby, a mini museum showcases old photographs, letters and candy boxes from throughout the theater’s history.
The theater today
Today, many know the State Theatre for its lineup of tribute bands. It’s a place where concertgoers can, quite literally, dive into Beatlemania one night and Pink Floyd the next. Other longtime regulars at the theater include Almost Queenand The Legwarmers, a local 80s cover band, among others.
“If you never got a chance to see Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd or Fleetwood Mac on stage, then this is a fun way to experience that music in a live setting,” Johnstone said, adding that the theater’s staff are “huge classic rock fans.”
But it’s not all covers. Acts including the Wu-Tang Clan, Blondie, Rusted Root and Kenny G. have all passed through the State Theatre’s doors, many playing to sold-out shows.
“We try to keep our lineup eclectic across a wide variety of genres,” Johnstone said.
Johnstone, who has worked at the theater for 17 years, has a hard time choosing a favorite show, but she loves when artists go “off-script.”
“It’s always a fun surprise when acts come off the stage and engage with the crowd,” she said. “Kenny G. leapt off the stage and jumped on a platform in the middle of our crowd, and absolutely rocked on his tenor sax, and then stuck around to take a picture with every single fan.”
The State Theatre also hosts modern artists, comedians and ’90s-inspired dance parties. It’s even been a spot for weddings.
The goal, Johnstone said, is to maintain the status of the Little City’s friendly neighborhood theater and make the most of its small town appeal. In the spirit of nostalgia, she hopes that guest experiences are “as unforgettable as possible.”
A lineup of shows over the next few months is below.
- Sept. 14: The Legwarmers: “D.C.’s Biggest ’80s Retro Dance Party”
- Sept. 20: The Cast of Beatlemania
- Sept. 21: The Machine performs Pink Floyd
- Sept. 22: Uruguayan rock band No Te Va Gustar
- Sept. 27: Saved by the ’90s: A ’90s Dance Party with the Bayside Tigers
- Sept. 28: 1970s Los Angeles rock band X
- Oct. 4: Greggie and the Jets: Tribute to Elton John
- Oct. 11:Nirvani: A Nirvana Tribute Experience
- Oct. 17: Red Not Chili Peppers
- Oct. 19: EagleMania, “The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band”
- Nov. 1: Puerto Rican singer Pedro Capo
- Nov. 14: Los Angeles-based Latin rock band, La Santa Cecilia
- Nov. 15: Hollywood Nights: The Bob Seger Experience
- Nov. 16: All-female quartet Lez Zeppelin
- Nov. 17: British band The English Beat
- Nov. 22: The Warped Tour Band: A Tribute to Emo and Pop-Punk
- Nov. 23: Bruce in the USA
- Nov. 29: The Nighthawks & The Soul Crackers
- Dec. 13: Start Making Sense: A Tribute to Talking Heads
About the Author
Katie Taranto Katie Taranto is a reporter at Local News Now, primarily covering business, public safety and the city of Falls Church. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2024, where she previously covered K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania. 
