Avalon Ballroom facts for kids
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The building in 2022
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| Former names | Avalon Ballroom |
|---|---|
| Address | 1268 Sutter St. |
| Location | San Francisco, California |
| Coordinates | 37°47′16″N 122°25′16″W / 37.78778°N 122.42111°W |
| Type | ballroom |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1911 |
| Closed | 1969 |
The Avalon Ballroom was a famous music hall in San Francisco, California. It was a popular spot for concerts during the 1960s. Many bands played there, especially during the "counterculture movement." This was a time when many young people explored new ideas and music. The Avalon Ballroom was open from about 1966 to 1969. It also reopened for a few years from 2003 to 2005.
Contents
History of the Avalon Ballroom
The building where the Avalon Ballroom was located was built in 1911. It was first designed as a regular business building.
Early Days as a Dance Hall
Around 1915, it became a dance school called Puckett's College of Dancing. People learned many types of dances there. They even had fun parties like "peanut parties" and "indoor picnic parties." By the 1930s, it was a public dance hall. It was known as the Avalon Ball Room. People could go there to enjoy popular and old-fashioned dances several times a week.
The 1960s Music Scene
In the 1960s, a music promoter named Chet Helms used the Avalon Ballroom. His company, Family Dog Productions, booked many bands. They often had concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Special Posters were made for each show. These posters were created by "psychedelic" artists. Some famous artists included Rick Griffin and Stanley Mouse.
A special Liquid light show often lit up the stage. It made the concerts even more exciting.
Famous Bands and Events
During the 1960s, two bands usually played two sets each evening. Many local bands got their start there. These included Quicksilver Messenger Service and the Steve Miller Band. Other famous bands like The Doors and Big Brother and the Holding Company also performed. Janis Joplin became famous as the singer for Big Brother and the Holding Company.
The Grateful Dead played at the Avalon many times. They even recorded parts of two live albums there in 1966. These albums were called Vintage Dead and Historic Dead.
In 1967, a special music event called the Mantra-Rock Dance took place. It featured the Grateful Dead, Moby Grape, and Big Brother and the Holding Company. Janis Joplin also performed.
What the Avalon Ballroom Looked Like
The Avalon Ballroom was on the top two floors of its building. It had a second-floor balcony that wrapped around the main dance area. The stage was in one corner, where the musicians played. The main entrance was downstairs on Sutter Street.
The Avalon was not as big as some other famous venues. But it could hold up to 500 people. The dance floor was large enough for hundreds of dancers. The amazing light shows were a big part of the experience.
Closing and Reopening the Venue
The Avalon Ballroom closed in 1968. It then became a movie theater called the Regency II Movie Theater. It stayed a movie theater until 2000.
A New Chapter for the Avalon
In 2002, the Avalon Ballroom reopened! A person named Steve Shirley helped bring it back to life. He learned about the building from a psychedelic poster artist. Many new acts performed there, including George Clinton and P-Funk and Arlo Guthrie. Over 70 concerts were held between 2002 and 2005.
After its second closing, the building was used for other things. It became offices for a fabric design company. Later, it was the headquarters for an internet company. In 2013, it was even used as a filming location for a TV show called Real World: Ex-Plosion.
Avalon in Pop Culture
The Avalon Ballroom is mentioned in a famous song. The song "Combination Of The Two" by Big Brother and The Holding Company talks about it. The lyrics say, "Everybody over at the Avalon Ballroom in the San Francisco Bay." The song was a tribute to the rock music halls of San Francisco. It celebrated both the Avalon and another famous venue, The Fillmore.
