The Avalon Theatre
Description
http://avalontheatre.com/...The Eastern Shore's best place for Live Music and Entertainment Located in the Heart of Downtown Easton MD. Rated #1 on TripAdvisor for "Things to Do" in Easton Maryland Built in 1921, at the cost of $100,000, The Avalon Theatre immediately became, as one newspaper reporter proclaimed, the "Showplace of the Eastern Shore." Visually spectacular, another newspaper reporter made the bold statement that "no house in the South will compare with all its detail." That detail included leaded glass doors at every theater entrance, an 18 foot dome with 148 lights, a 300 pipe electric-pneumatic organ, an electric player piano, and a ballroom on the second floor.
However, when the Schine Theatre Chain purchased the Theatre in 1934, they completely refitted the building. Schine closed the ballroom, and redesigned the theater with an Art Deco theme that still stands today. In the process of the makeover, the theater lost many of its accoutrements in favor of the Art Deco theme, but its reputation as a movie house grew quickly. Generations of Eastern Shore movie-goers saw Clark Gable’s first screen kiss, Bette Davis’ first psychotic role, and Roy Rogers’ first gunfight at the Avalon. Three world premieres took place at the Avalon including "The First Kiss" starring Gary Cooper and Fay Rae, which was filmed in Easton and St. Michaels.
The Avalon’s run as Easton’s premier movie house ended in 1985 after a 64-year run. Suffering from mildew, cracks in the walls, stained carpeting and rickety seats, the Avalon closed in 1985 and remained dark until November 1987.
Under the leadership of Easton Mayor George Murphy, renovations began in late 1987 to restore the Theatre to its former glory. Finished in 1989, the Avalon was magnificently restored and upgraded to a performing arts center, retaining its proscenium stage, domed ceiling, and incredible acoustics.
The Theatre did not immediately thrive following the renovations, however. Following the 1.36 million dollar makeover, the Theatre was sold to the Mid-Shore Center for the Performing Arts, which was unsuccessful in managing it profitably. In order to save the Theatre, it was repurchased at auction in 1992 by its’ sole bidder - the Town of Easton.
After intensive discussion and analysis by a planning group, the town decided to turn the operation over to a non-profit corporation, its Board of Trustees and professional management. In 1994, the town entered a lease agreement with the Avalon Foundation, Inc., founded by John and Ellen General. Soon there after, the historic Avalon Theatre began its rapid growth under their leadership as a center for the performing arts and community events. Since the Avalon Foundation took over, the Theatre has been provided with state of the art sound and lighting, video projectors, television production facilities, and a friendly but elegant atmosphere.
The Historic Avalon Theatre has become a cornerstone of Mid Shore community life, balancing its role as a presenter and provider for local community talent. Capable of numerous transformations, the Avalon presents musical and dramatic theater, symphony orchestras, a wide variety of national musical acts, and classic film screenings. In addition, the Avalon allows for a showplace for local talent.
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The Great Josh Ritter performs on Thursday night, June 8th at 8pm at The Avalon Theatre. He is excited to be sharing new material solo and directly to an appreciative fan base and we are excited to host him. About 100 seats remain. Tix at www.avalonfoundation.org
Cast It Talent
JUST DO IT. AVALON THEATRE ACTING CAMP IS A GREAT WAY TO START TO DO ALL THE THINGS RYAN GOSLING IS TALKING ABOUT!! Info on Acting Camps at avalonfoundation.org.
The Avalon Theatre
WAILERS TICKETS MIGHT BE THE COOLEST GIFT DAD EVER GOT FOR FATHER'S DAY. The one and only Wailers perfrom at The Avalon in Easton on June 18th. Show starts at 7pm. About 120 seats remain. SPREAD THE WORD. Always a highlight of any concert season! Tix at avalonfoundation.org.
Cast It Talent
JUST DO IT. AVALON THEATRE ACTING CAMP IS A GREAT WAY TO START TO DO ALL THE THINGS RYAN GOSLING IS TALKING ABOUT!! Info on Acting Camps at avalonfoundation.org.
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For fans if #Rhiannon Giddens, #Gillian Welch and #The Carolina Chocolate Drops comes @kaiakater . She will be performing w/ Percussive Dance partner Jennifer McKay.
Another lovely Saturday night on #theeasternshore . Music and family. Come on down!! #avalonfoundation #risingtidesociety #easternshore #passionpassport #discovereaston #concert #chesapeakebay
FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC. She has the audience in the palms of her hands. A powerful songwriter with a good sense of humor. Heather Knapp. Stoltz Listening Room. #chesapeakebay #concert #discovereaston #eastonmd #easternshore #passionpassport #risingtidesociety #avalonfoundation #heatherknapp
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The FREE Outdoor Concerts start this weekend. Saturday night come salsa downtown under the stars. Display Vendors open at 6. Music starts at 7. Garrison St next to @thetidewaterinn . COME ON OUT!!
ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY 1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono record "Give Peace A Chance" to close out their "bed-in" in Montreal. John Lennon and Yoko Ono spent their entire honeymoon in bed in an Amsterdam hotel room, inviting in members of the press for 12 hours each day while they talked about peace, love and understanding. That series of events was documented in the hastily recorded Beatles song "The Ballad of John and Yoko," which featured just Lennon and Paul McCartney playing every instrument. That stunt is such a publicity success - despite the press failing to take their message seriously - that the pair decide to reprise it. While the bed-in is in progress, a host of celebrities and media representatives visit the hotel room and John Lennon repeats the phrase "give peace a chance," in various interviews, sparking the idea for a song. "Give Peace A Chance" is recorded live by producer André Perry, using four microphones and a portable 4-track cassette recorder he has borrowed from a local studio. The song features a chorus of contributors including Petula Clark, Allen Ginsburg and Timothy Leary. 1993 - 10,000 Maniacs become the first act to appear twice on MTV Unplugged. The network has a policy against return engagements, but when they learn that Natalie Merchant will be leaving the band, they book them. More 1978 - Bruce Springsteen releases Darkness On The Edge Of Town. It's his first album in almost three years due to a legal dispute with his ex-manager Mike Appel. 1974 - The UK music magazine NME publishes its list of the 100 Great Albums. The Top 3: #3: The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds #2: Bob Dylan's Blonde On Blonde #1: The Beatles' Sgt Pepper 2007 - Contemporary musicians record their own versions of songs from The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's album to mark 40 years since it was released. Acts including Oasis, Travis, The Fray, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, Bryan Adams and The Magic Numbers all work with Geoff Emerick - the engineer in charge of the original 1967 sessions - using the original analogue 4-track equipment to demonstrate the techniques employed for the recording at Abbey Road studios in 1967.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation—Eastern Shore of Maryland
Free Outdoor Concerts start this Saturday!!! Hope you join us!
ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY 2000 - Eminem's second major-label album, The Marshall Mathers LP, becomes the fastest-selling rap album ever when it sells 1.76 million copies in its debut week. On his 1999 breakthrough The Slim Shady LP, Eminem introduces himself through his Slim Shady character - a darkly comic ne'er-do-well who says whatever is on his mind. His next album is titled after his real name and is more personal. For the first time, he has to deal with the fallout of fame, and he doesn't like it. Slim Shady also shows up, going berzerk on Christina Aguilera, Tom Green, and anyone else in his lyrical line of fire in "The Real Slim Shady." It goes on to become the best-selling rap album of all time in America. 1968 - The Beatles begin recording their White Album 1909 - Benny Goodman is born in Chicago. At just 12 years old, he begins performing professionally as a clarinetist; by 14, he joins a musicians union. He records his first solo in 1926 and by 1934 he is the leader of a 12-piece big band.
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