all-ages venue – The Oakland Beat

Berkeley’s UC Theatre to reopen in 2015 as live venue after 14 years

Shuttered since 2001, the much missed and admired historic movie palace which originally opened in 1917 will be converted by the non-profit BMG into a 1,460 person capacity live venue. Construction is planned for completion in 2015.

Planned alterations include conversion of the raked, single level, interior with fixed seating into three tiers arranged with either theatre seating, or cabaret-style table seating for 800, a dance floor, and a Meyer Sound system.

“The UC Theatre will be an all-ages venue”, and the programming will include live comedy, film events, and a speaker series, as well as opportunities for other local non-profits to use the theatre for fundraising events.

Temescal’s Leo’s Pro Audio Building: New bar, music venue, and boutique

Parish Entertainment Group, which owns The New Parish in Oakland and Brick & Mortar Music Hall in San Francisco, has confirmed that it purchased the former Leo’s Pro Audio building, at 5447 Telegraph Avenue, to open a new bar, music venue, and boutique.

Earlier this year, co-owner Michael O’Connor revealed that the partners were searching for an Oakland space closer in size to its 250-capacity venue, Brick & Mortar, to book local acts. Co-owner Jason Perkins said the venue — which will be called Leo’s in honor of the recording equipment store that closed its doors in 2012 after 56 years in business — could open as early as October, if the permitting process goes smoothly.

“We find that working with the City of Oakland is easier than SF. People are willing to spend time with you,” Perkins said.

The North Temescal neighborhood was once home to iMusicast, an all-ages venue that closed in 2005 when the building was turned into lofts. “We’re really dedicated to working in Oakland,” Perkins said. “That’s our focus for the rest of this year.”

Tag: all-ages venue