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{{Infobox theatre
{{Infobox venue
| name = Georgia Theatre
| name = Georgia Theatre
| image = Georgia Theatre.jpg
| image = Georgia Theatre.jpg
Line 13: Line 13:
| country = [[United States]]
| country = [[United States]]
| designation =
| designation =
⚫
| latitude =
| longitude =
| coord_region =
| coord_dim =
| coordinates = {{coord|33.958614|N|83.377111|W|display=it|type:landmark}}
| architect =
| architect =
| builder =
| builder =
| owner = Wilmot Greene<br /> Randy Smith
| tenant =
| tenant =
| operator =
| operator =
⚫
| capacity = 1028
| capacity = 1000 <ref name="faq">{{cite web |url=http://www.georgiatheatre.com/faq.html |title=Georgia Theatre FAQ}}</ref>
| screens = 1
| type =
| type =
| opened = 1918 <!--{{Start date|YYYY|MM|FF|df=y}}-->
| reopened = 1978
| yearsactive =
| yearsactive =
| rebuilt =
| rebuilt =
| closed = <!--{{End date|YYYY|MM|FF|df=y}}-->
| demolished =
| othernames =
| othernames =
| production =
| production =
| currentuse = Live event venue
| currentuse = Live Music Venue
| parking =
| parking =
| publictransit =
| publictransit =
| website = {{URL|http://www.georgiatheatre.com}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.georgiatheatre.com}}
|logo_image=Georgia Theatre Logo.png}}
}}
The '''Georgia Theatre''' is a prominent music venue in [[Athens, Georgia]], located in an old [[Movie theater|cinema]]. Many prominent acts from the early [[music of Athens, Georgia]] performed at the Theatre, including a range of folk, [[popular music|popular]] and country acts. The Theatre is on the Athens Music History Walking Tour sponsored by the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau.<ref name="athens">{{cite web |url=http://www.visitathensga.com/live-music/music-tour/ |title=Music History Walking Tour |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau |accessdate=28 July 2011}}</ref> The Theatre opened as a music venue in 1978, with the band [[Sea Level (band)|Sea Level]] playing. [[The Police]] played a show at the Theatre in 1979, on their first American tour. The Theatre then shut down again in the early 1980s and spent a few years as a movie house with occasional shows. It was reopened as a venue in 1989 and the Theatre has since hosted many of the major touring acts that come through Athens.<ref name="athens" />
'''Georgia Theatre''' is a live music venue and event space in [[Athens, Georgia]]. National and local acts across all genres have performed at the Theatre, including rock, folk, country, indie, alternative, hip hop and electronic. The venue is on the Athens Music History Walking Tour sponsored by the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau. Georgia Theatre opened as a music venue in 1978, but spent a few years in the early 1980s operating sporadically as a movie house. It was reopened as a music venue in 1989 and has since hosted many of the major touring acts that come through the state.


==History==
==History==
In 1889, the [[YMCA]] of Athens bought the property on which Georgia Theatre now stands and built a building on the site. In its earliest days, this YMCA building served as home to the [[Georgia Bulldogs basketball]] team, from 1905 to 1911.<ref name="Red and Black">{{cite web|last1=May|first1=Jed & Nathan Berg|title=The best Georgia basketball game, player and court you've never heard of|url=https://www.redandblack.com/sports/the-best-georgia-basketball-game-player-and-court-you-ve/article_b8ef1208-1594-11e7-a42e-6f69dc73c308.html|website=RedandBlack.com|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> Starting in 1913, a music store occupied the bottom floor while the YMCA continued to use the second and third floor. In 1926, the Masonic Temple Association of Athens bought the building and soon began sharing the space with Dorsey Furniture Co. In 1935, the Elite Theater opened in the location, building upon and expanding the foundation of YMCA building.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rushbrook |first=Olivia |date=2020-03-02 |title=On the Pulse |url=https://athensmagazine.com/2020/03/02/on-the-pulse/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Athens Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 1889, the YMCA of Athens brought property the Georgia Theatre now stands on and erected a building on the site. The whole building was under the control of the YMCA until 1913 when a music store occupied the bottom floor while the YMCA continued to use the second and third floor. In 1918, Elite Theater movie house opened on ground floor and Majestic Hotel was in operation on second and third floors. The building was then used by both the Elite Theater and the Masonic Temple until 1926 when Masonic Temple Association of Athens bought the building. The next year, the Masonic Temple shared the space with Dorsey Furniture Co. In 1935, Elite Theater built on foundation of YMCA building, making it even larger than before. Until 1967 when United Theatre Enterprises Inc. buys the building, the Georgia Theatre had served as a worship hall for the United Methodist Church in the 1960s. In 1977, Sam Smartt, Hap Harris, George Fontaine and Sheffy McArthur teamed up to open Georgia Theatre as concert hall. On May 20, 1978, the popular band the B-52s paid to perform at Georgia Theatre, and the following year, The Police played there as part of the band's first U.S. tour. The Georgia Theatre briefly closed in 1981 and was reopened a year later by Carafe & Draft Theater as a movie house. Kyle Pilgrim and Bill "Duck" Anderson bought the building in 1989, planning to open Georgia Theatre as concert venue. The first show performed at the Georgia Theatre after it reopened was played by the band, Pylon. In subsequent years, it has been the host to many shows including shows featuring members of [[R.E.M.]], [[Widespread Panic]], [[Beck]], [[Warren Zevon]], [[Umphreys McGee]], and [[Dave Matthews Band]]. [[The Derek Trucks Band]] recorded their 2004 [[live album|concert album]] ''[[Live at Georgia Theatre]]'' at the venue.<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.georgiatheatre.com/history.html |title=History |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Georgia Theatre |accessdate=28 July 2011}}</ref>


After many different uses over the years, in 1977 Sam Smartt, Hap Harris, George Fontaine and Sheffy McArthur converted the building into a concert hall. The [[The B-52's|B-52s]] paid to perform at Georgia Theatre on May 20, 1978, and the following year [[The Police]] played as part of the band's first U.S. tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-15 |title=Using Newspapers to Track Dates and Locations: The Georgia Theatre (1978-1982) |url=https://athenshistorical.org/using-newspapers-to-track-dates-and-locations-the-georgia-theatre-1978-1982/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Athens Historical Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2004, the Georgia Theatre was sold to Wilmot Greene and Randy Smith who renovated and restored the venue to its former condition. On the morning of June 19, 2009, a major fire erupted in the Georgia Theatre, inflicting severe damage to the building, including a roof collapse.<ref name="fire">{{cite news |title=Fire heavily damages historic Georgia Theatre |author= |url=http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/061909/bre_452521217.shtml |newspaper=[[Athens Banner-Herald]] |date=June 19, 2009 |accessdate=27 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="roof-collapse">{{cite news |title=Fire guts Georgia Theatre in Athens |author=Chip Towers |url=http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/06/19/athens_fire_georgia_theatre.html |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |date=June 19, 2009 |accessdate=27 July 2011}}</ref> The Georgia Theatre underwent renovations in 2010 and 2011 and reopened August 1, 2011. The fire and history of The Georgia Theatre are recorded in a documentary film called Athens Burning (2012). The newly renovated Georgia Theater is designed to be a concert venue with a state-of-the-art sound system and numerous acoustic improvements; together with improved seating, two balconies, and an open air roof area with a full bar and comfortable patio seating.

Georgia Theatre briefly closed in 1981 and was reopened a year later by Carafe & Draft Theater as a movie house. Kyle Pilgrim and Bill "Duck" Anderson bought the building in 1989, planning to reopen Georgia Theatre as concert venue. [[Pylon (band)|Pylon]] performed the first show at the new Georgia Theatre, and in subsequent years the venue hosted Athens band [[Widespread Panic]], [[Beck]], [[Warren Zevon]], [[J.J. Cale]], [[David Byrne]], [[Black Lips]], [[Umphrey's McGee|Umphreys McGee]], [[Dave Matthews Band]], and members of [[R.E.M.]], among countless other acts of both national and international importance. The 2004 album ''[[Live at Georgia Theatre]]'' by [[The Derek Trucks Band|Derek Trucks Band]] was recorded at the venue, as well as the video for [[John Mayer]]'s 2002 song “[[No Such Thing (John Mayer song)|No Such Thing]]”. In November 2004, Georgia Theatre was sold to Wilmot Greene who renovated and restored the building. In 2014, the venue was sold to Agon, who also owns [[Variety Playhouse]] in [[Atlanta, GA]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-07-31 |title=Welcome Home: The Reopening of the Georgia Theatre |url=https://www.visitathensga.com/blog/post/welcome-home-the-reopening-of-the-georgia-theatre/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.visitathensga.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

== Fire and renovation ==
On the morning of June 19, 2009, a major fire erupted in Georgia Theatre, causing severe damage to the building and collapsing the roof.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/fire-guts-georgia-theatre-in-athens-1/nQHDb/|title = Fire guts Georgia Theatre in Athens|access-date = 2016-03-07}}</ref> The venue underwent renovations in 2010 and 2011 and reopened on August 1, 2011. Funding for the restoration came in part from ticket sales of a benefit concert hosted by [[Zac Brown Band]] and several guest artists at the [[Fox Theatre (Atlanta)|Fox Theatre]] in downtown [[Atlanta]]. The concert was later released as a three-disk album titled ''Pass the Jar: Zac Brown Band and Friends Live from the Fabulous Fox Theatre In Atlanta''.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/16/georgia.theatre.reopens/index.html|title = Georgia Theatre, a rock icon, reopens triumphantly after fire|website = www.cnn.com|access-date = 2016-03-07}}</ref> The fire and history of Georgia Theatre were recorded in a documentary film called ''Athens Burning'' (2012).

Since reopening, the venue has hosted acts including [[My Morning Jacket]], [[Gregg Allman]], [[Alabama Shakes]], [[Willie Nelson]], Basketball Team, [[Run The Jewels]], and [[Kenny Chesney]].{{cn|date=June 2023}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|author=Unterberger, Richie|title=Music USA: The Rough Guide|publisher=The Rough Guides|year=1999|pages=133–140|isbn=1-85828-421-X}}
{{refend}}


{{Athens, Georgia}}
== External links ==
{{Georgia Bulldogs basketball navbox}}
* [http://www.georgiatheatre.com/ Georgia Theatre] (official site)
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in Athens, Georgia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Athens, Georgia]]
[[Category:Music venues in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Music venues in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Athens, Georgia]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Athens, Georgia]]
[[Category:Music venues completed in 1978]]
[[Category:Music venues completed in 1978]]
[[Category:Georgia Bulldogs basketball]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]

Latest revision as of 22:06, 25 March 2024

Georgia Theatre
Map
Address215 N. Lumpkin Street
Athens, Georgia
United States
Capacity1028
Current useLive Music Venue
Website
www.georgiatheatre.com

Georgia Theatre is a live music venue and event space in Athens, Georgia. National and local acts across all genres have performed at the Theatre, including rock, folk, country, indie, alternative, hip hop and electronic. The venue is on the Athens Music History Walking Tour sponsored by the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau. Georgia Theatre opened as a music venue in 1978, but spent a few years in the early 1980s operating sporadically as a movie house. It was reopened as a music venue in 1989 and has since hosted many of the major touring acts that come through the state.

History

[edit]

In 1889, the YMCA of Athens bought the property on which Georgia Theatre now stands and built a building on the site. In its earliest days, this YMCA building served as home to the Georgia Bulldogs basketball team, from 1905 to 1911.[1] Starting in 1913, a music store occupied the bottom floor while the YMCA continued to use the second and third floor. In 1926, the Masonic Temple Association of Athens bought the building and soon began sharing the space with Dorsey Furniture Co. In 1935, the Elite Theater opened in the location, building upon and expanding the foundation of YMCA building.[2]

After many different uses over the years, in 1977 Sam Smartt, Hap Harris, George Fontaine and Sheffy McArthur converted the building into a concert hall. The B-52s paid to perform at Georgia Theatre on May 20, 1978, and the following year The Police played as part of the band's first U.S. tour.[3]

Georgia Theatre briefly closed in 1981 and was reopened a year later by Carafe & Draft Theater as a movie house. Kyle Pilgrim and Bill "Duck" Anderson bought the building in 1989, planning to reopen Georgia Theatre as concert venue. Pylon performed the first show at the new Georgia Theatre, and in subsequent years the venue hosted Athens band Widespread Panic, Beck, Warren Zevon, J.J. Cale, David Byrne, Black Lips, Umphreys McGee, Dave Matthews Band, and members of R.E.M., among countless other acts of both national and international importance. The 2004 album Live at Georgia Theatre by Derek Trucks Band was recorded at the venue, as well as the video for John Mayer's 2002 song “No Such Thing”. In November 2004, Georgia Theatre was sold to Wilmot Greene who renovated and restored the building. In 2014, the venue was sold to Agon, who also owns Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA.[4]

Fire and renovation

[edit]

On the morning of June 19, 2009, a major fire erupted in Georgia Theatre, causing severe damage to the building and collapsing the roof.[5] The venue underwent renovations in 2010 and 2011 and reopened on August 1, 2011. Funding for the restoration came in part from ticket sales of a benefit concert hosted by Zac Brown Band and several guest artists at the Fox Theatre in downtown Atlanta. The concert was later released as a three-disk album titled Pass the Jar: Zac Brown Band and Friends Live from the Fabulous Fox Theatre In Atlanta.[6] The fire and history of Georgia Theatre were recorded in a documentary film called Athens Burning (2012).

Since reopening, the venue has hosted acts including My Morning Jacket, Gregg Allman, Alabama Shakes, Willie Nelson, Basketball Team, Run The Jewels, and Kenny Chesney.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ May, Jed & Nathan Berg. "The best Georgia basketball game, player and court you've never heard of". RedandBlack.com. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  2. ^ Rushbrook, Olivia (2020-03-02). "On the Pulse". Athens Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  3. ^ "Using Newspapers to Track Dates and Locations: The Georgia Theatre (1978-1982)". Athens Historical Society. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  4. ^ "Welcome Home: The Reopening of the Georgia Theatre". www.visitathensga.com. 2011-07-31. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  5. ^ "Fire guts Georgia Theatre in Athens". Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  6. ^ "Georgia Theatre, a rock icon, reopens triumphantly after fire". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
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