Fox Oakland Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Fox Oakland Theatre is a 2,800-seat movie theater
, located at 1807 Telegraph Avenue
in downtown Oakland, California
. The theater was designed by Weeks and Day
, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, and reopened on February 5, 2009.
, Air, Bob Dylan
, Green Day
, Wolfmother
, Alice in Chains
, Mastodon (band)
, Kylie Minogue
, Animal Collective
& The Decemberists
since its opening.
The Fox Oakland Theatre opened as a cinema on October 27, 1928 with the Fox Film Corporation movie The Air Circus. Originally intended to be named "The Bagdad" (sic) because of its Middle Eastern influenced architecture, it was instead given the name "West Coast Oakland". In 1929, it was renamed the "Fox Oakland" when William Fox
bought the West Coast Theatres chain and merged it with his Fox Theatres chain. The theater housed a Wurlitzer theatre organ -- the organ was sold in 1960 and is now in a private home in Shingletown, California
.
By the 1960s, the theater was in decline on account of the trend toward smaller multiplex theaters. It stopped showing first-run movies in 1962, dabbled briefly in softcore porn films, and permanently closed in 1970, after showing its final film, Let It Be
with The Beatles
.
After closing, the theater barely escaped destruction several times. It suffered an arson fire in 1973 but was not heavily damaged. The city considered tearing it down in 1975 to make room for a parking lot. The theater was spared when it was made an Oakland City Landmark in 1978. The following year it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1996, the City of Oakland bought the building for $3 million. Some badly needed restoration work began in 1999. By late 2001, the marquee and blade sign had been restored. In December 2004, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency received a $2.9 million grant for further restoration of the theater. There are plans for Oakland School for the Arts
to move into the theater and construction began in September 2006. After a long 3 year wait, the school finally moved into the theater. Bank of America provided the financing for the rehabilitation.
Rebirth
The Fox reopened on February 5, 2009 with a spectacular Gala and Roaring 20's theme.
The theater is now operated, primarily as a concert venue, by Berkeley-based Another Planet Entertainment. While the first several shows during February (including Social Distortion
, Will Downing
and Ragga Muffins Festival) drew large crowds, the theater had no bookings during March, while construction of the 'Den' [bar/lounge] neared completion, and other theater improvements were being made. The Den had a grand opening of its own March 27, which was only the beginning of a blockbuster, spring season for the Fox; April and May combined, included 19 headline acts. The list included—in random order—some long-time names: Jeff Beck
, (two consecutive nights of) The Allman Brothers, The Moody Blues
, and B.B. King, Franz Ferdinand
and a "surprise", new album-promotion concert by locals Green Day
were among a group of more acts which graced the Fox's stage. More contemporary, popular artists/groups including Keane and Seal
entertained crowds during May. In September Australian pop icon, Kylie Minogue
toured North America for the first time in her For You, For Me Tour
with the first two shows performed in the theatre.
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
, located at 1807 Telegraph Avenue
Telegraph Avenue
Telegraph Avenue is a street that begins, at its southernmost point, in the midst of the historic downtown district of Oakland, California, USA, and ends, at its northernmost point, at the southern edge of the University of California campus in Berkeley, California...
in downtown Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. The theater was designed by Weeks and Day
Weeks and Day
Weeks and Day was an American architectural firm founded in 1916 by architect Charles Peter Weeks and engineer William Peyton Day ....
, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, and reopened on February 5, 2009.
History
The Oakland Fox Theater, a 2,800 seat movie theater originally opened its doors on October 27, 1928 in downtown Oakland, California. After two years under construction, the opening was highly anticipated by the Bay Area residents; the Fox Theater became the 251st theater to open in the West Coast Theater chain.. The launch of the Fox was expected to earn high earnings in the downtown district. Reestablishing the movie industry, the Fox offered the opportunity to stray from the silent films and helped introduce the “talkies” by having a live stage show. As the Fox Theater made its debut, so did the Paramount Theater, it was also located in the downtown. At no point was there any hesitation of having two theaters nearby. If anything, the Fox provided a different appeal than the Paramount, and everyone was pretty much aware of the prominent difference. The complexity of the Fox’s design portrayed a very lavish lifestyle. Reflecting luxury and class by its beautiful structure. After thirty years of delivering to the public, the Fox’s success was disrupted by the popularity of television that hurt downtown theaters across the nation. Attendance significantly dropped in the 1960s and the Oakland Fox officially closed its doors in 1966. After being closed for twelve years, the Fox avoided demolition when it became officially recognized as an Oakland City Landmark. During the years of closure,there were many plans for the theater to be restored; other possibilities included converting the Fox to a mall or into a vast parking lot.Architecture
Macadamize with terra cotta, rich colors, intricate gold accents, and distinctive dome, the theater’s design redefined architecture in that era. The interior of the Fox Theater was delicately crafted and said to be described as “mystical”. With its intriguing resemblance of an Indian temple, the Fox Theater was a fascinating attribute to downtown Oakland. At this time, theaters across the nation strived to be more than just a typical building. The designs of various theaters were inspired greatly by Middle Eastern and Indian architecture; the Fox was initially going to be named “The Bagdad” but eventually was called “West Coast Oakland”. Once it was bought by William Fox, the theater it was renamed once again, but this time the new name “Fox Oakland Theater” was here to stay.Restoration project
After extensive community meetings and discussions, plans to restore the historic landmark took full effect in 1996 as the Fox Theater was bought by the City of Oakland from its previous owners. Costing an estimated $3 million, Oakland was convinced to resurrect the Fox. The unpreserved theater suffered many tragedies during its forty year abandoned period. Deteriorated by several arson fires, disastrous vandalism, and decay, restoring the once prestigious Fox Theater was not an easy task. The historical landmark suffered great damages, but it was evident that many locals supported the idea of renovating an important element of Oakland’s culture. In addition, “Friends of the Oakland Fox” was created by supporting community members. Friends of the Oakland Fox or also known as FOOF raised funding for the elaborate $75 million restoration process. President of FOOF, Phil Tagami was a significant contributor to the restoration of the Fox. Being part of the restoration team, Tagami stood closely by the theater for over twenty years, in hope of seeing the Fox Theater open its doors once again. Official restorations took place in 1999, kicking off an extensive procedure. In 2001, the somber marquee was successfully restored and once again illuminated the streets of downtown Oakland. As the elaborate process began, there were a lot of speculations regarding the future success of the stagnant theater.A new beginning
February 2009 marked the beginning of a new era for the Fox. After being neglected for forty years, the once glamorous theater made its comeback. Accentuating its revival, the theater’s grand opening night featured a “roaring twenties” theme celebrating the newly renovated theater. Many attended the imminent premiere that celebrated the city’s prized possession. The reopening of the Fox embodied a whole new dimension of the Fox Theater. The newly renovated theater now offered more to the public. From a wide variety of spectacles, the grand opening night attracted a large crowd of intrigued guests. The anticipation of entering the Fox was conspicuous and once a guest entered the theater, all expectations were met. The Oakland Fox Theater now serves as a school, restaurant, and prominent live concert venue. It has hosted many concerts by various recognizable artists such as BeirutBeirut (band)
Beirut is an American band which was originally the solo musical project of Santa Fe native Zachary Francis Condon, and later expanded into a band. The band's first performances were in Wollaston, United Kingdom, in May 2006, to support the release of their debut album, Gulag Orkestar...
, Air, Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, Wolfmother
Wolfmother
Wolfmother is an Australian rock band from Erskineville, Sydney. Formed in 2000, the group was originally a trio composed of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett. Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album in October 2005,...
, Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
, Mastodon (band)
Mastodon (band)
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor...
, Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
, Animal Collective
Animal Collective
Animal Collective is an experimental psychedelic band originally from Baltimore, Maryland, currently based in New York City. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare , Panda Bear , Deakin , and Geologist...
& The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
since its opening.
New features
The Oakland Fox Theater is now home of the Oakland School for the Arts, a Charter school founded in 2002 which enrolls students from 6-12th grade specializing in the arts. The Oakland School for the Arts or also known as OSA, waited three years to occupy the renowned facility and currently is settled in the new upstairs space of the Fox. The Bank of America provided the necessary funding for the school to obtain the space. Another great distinguishable feature is the newly constructed restaurant called The Den. The new restaurant features a great variety of food and a bar that can be found alongside The Den. With the new features, the Oakland Fox Theater targets a wide range of audience from kids to adults.The Fox Oakland Theatre opened as a cinema on October 27, 1928 with the Fox Film Corporation movie The Air Circus. Originally intended to be named "The Bagdad" (sic) because of its Middle Eastern influenced architecture, it was instead given the name "West Coast Oakland". In 1929, it was renamed the "Fox Oakland" when William Fox
William Fox (producer)
William Fox born Fried Vilmos was a pioneering Hungarian American motion picture executive who founded the Fox Film Corporation in 1915 and the Fox West Coast Theatres chain in the 1920s...
bought the West Coast Theatres chain and merged it with his Fox Theatres chain. The theater housed a Wurlitzer theatre organ -- the organ was sold in 1960 and is now in a private home in Shingletown, California
Shingletown, California
Shingletown is a census-designated place in Shasta County, California, United States. The population was 2,283 at the 2010 census, up from 2,222 at the 2000 census....
.
By the 1960s, the theater was in decline on account of the trend toward smaller multiplex theaters. It stopped showing first-run movies in 1962, dabbled briefly in softcore porn films, and permanently closed in 1970, after showing its final film, Let It Be
Let It Be (film)
Let It Be is a 1970 documentary film about The Beatles rehearsing and recording songs for the album Let It Be in January 1969. The film features an unannounced rooftop concert by the group, their last performance in public...
with The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
.
After closing, the theater barely escaped destruction several times. It suffered an arson fire in 1973 but was not heavily damaged. The city considered tearing it down in 1975 to make room for a parking lot. The theater was spared when it was made an Oakland City Landmark in 1978. The following year it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1996, the City of Oakland bought the building for $3 million. Some badly needed restoration work began in 1999. By late 2001, the marquee and blade sign had been restored. In December 2004, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency received a $2.9 million grant for further restoration of the theater. There are plans for Oakland School for the Arts
Oakland School for the Arts
Oakland School for the Arts is a performing arts charter school in Oakland, California.OSA is located on the Fox Oakland Theatre at 530 18th Street across from Telegraph.On April 1, 2009 OSA was selected to be a California Distinguished School....
to move into the theater and construction began in September 2006. After a long 3 year wait, the school finally moved into the theater. Bank of America provided the financing for the rehabilitation.
Rebirth
The Fox reopened on February 5, 2009 with a spectacular Gala and Roaring 20's theme.
The theater is now operated, primarily as a concert venue, by Berkeley-based Another Planet Entertainment. While the first several shows during February (including Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
, Will Downing
Will Downing
Will Downing , is an American singer-songwriter and producer. Downing is known in the contemporary jazz and R&B music genres for his rich baritone vocals, and his interpretations of R&B and pop classics that stretch back to the early 1980s...
and Ragga Muffins Festival) drew large crowds, the theater had no bookings during March, while construction of the 'Den' [bar/lounge] neared completion, and other theater improvements were being made. The Den had a grand opening of its own March 27, which was only the beginning of a blockbuster, spring season for the Fox; April and May combined, included 19 headline acts. The list included—in random order—some long-time names: Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
, (two consecutive nights of) The Allman Brothers, The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
, and B.B. King, Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand (band)
Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish post-punk revival band formed in Glasgow in 2002. The band is composed of Alex Kapranos , Bob Hardy , Nick McCarthy , and Paul Thomson .The band first experienced chart success when their second single, "Take Me Out", reached #3 in...
and a "surprise", new album-promotion concert by locals Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
were among a group of more acts which graced the Fox's stage. More contemporary, popular artists/groups including Keane and Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
entertained crowds during May. In September Australian pop icon, Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
toured North America for the first time in her For You, For Me Tour
For You, For Me Tour
The For You, For Me Tour was the ninth concert tour by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. This is Minogue's first concert tour in North America. The concert has received very favorable reviews from music critics...
with the first two shows performed in the theatre.
See also
- Fox TheatreFox TheatreFox Theatres was a large chain of movie theaters in the United States dating from the 1920s either built by Fox Film Corporation studio owner William Fox, or subsequently merged in 1929 by Fox with the West Coast Theatres chain, to form the Fox West Coast Theatres chain.-Architectural styles:Many...
for Fox Theatres in other U.S. cities - Grand Lake TheaterGrand Lake TheaterThe Grand Lake Theater is a historical movie palace located at 3200 Grand Avenue and Lake Park Avenue in the Grand Lake neighborhood of Oakland, California in the United States of America.-History:...
- Movie palaceMovie palaceA movie palace is a term used to refer to the large, elaborately decorated movie theaters built between the 1910s and the 1940s. The late 1920s saw the peak of the movie palace, with hundreds opened every year between 1925 and 1930.There are three building types in particular which can be subsumed...
- Paramount Theater (Oakland, California)Paramount Theater (Oakland, California)The Paramount Theatre is a massive Art Deco movie theater located in downtown Oakland, California, USA. When it was built in 1931, it was the largest multi-purpose theater on the West Coast, seating 3476 Today, the Paramount is the home of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Oakland Ballet, it...
- Oakland School for the ArtsOakland School for the ArtsOakland School for the Arts is a performing arts charter school in Oakland, California.OSA is located on the Fox Oakland Theatre at 530 18th Street across from Telegraph.On April 1, 2009 OSA was selected to be a California Distinguished School....
Sources
- Bagwell, Beth. Oakland: The Story of a City. Oakland Heritage Alliance, 1996.
- Fox Oakland Theater Restoration Project. 2007. Oct. 2009 http://www.oaklandfox.com.
- Friends of the Oakland Fox. 2004-2009. Oct. 2009 http://www.foxoakland.org.
- "Kylie Minogue preps for first ever North American tour." Live Daily. 6 May 2009. Oct. 2009
- Oakland School for the Arts. 2009. Oct. 2009 website.
- The Fox Oakland. 2009. Another Planet. Oct. 2009 Fox Oakland.com.
- "Oakland's Historic Fox Theater Reopens." CBS Channel 5, 5 Feb. 2009; Oct. 2009.