Avalon Hollywood facts for kids
The building in 2007
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| Former names | The Hollywood Playhouse, The WPA Federal Theater, El Capitan Theatre, The Jerry Lewis Theatre, The Hollywood Palace, The Palace |
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| Address | 1735 N. Vine Street |
| Location | Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 34°06′10″N 118°19′37″W / 34.1027°N 118.3270°W |
| Owner | Hollywood Entertainment Partners |
| Type | Concert hall, nightclub, afterhours, lounge, restaurant, bar |
| Genre(s) | Big band, rock and roll, pop, electronic dance |
| Seating type | Standing room only, dance floor |
| Capacity | 1,250 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | January 24, 1927 |
| Renovated | 2007–2008 |
| Designated: | April 4, 1985 |
| Part of: | Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment National Historic District |
| Reference #: | 85000704 |
Avalon (also known as Avalon Hollywood) is a famous nightclub in Hollywood, California. It is located near the busy intersection of Hollywood and Vine. This historic building has been known by many names over the years. Some of its past names include The Hollywood Playhouse, El Capitan Theatre, and The Hollywood Palace. It can hold up to 1,500 people. The club is right across the street from the well-known Capitol Records Building.
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History of Avalon Hollywood
The building where Avalon Hollywood now stands has a long and interesting history. It has been a theater, a TV studio, and a popular music venue.
The Hollywood Playhouse
The building first opened its doors on January 24, 1927. Back then, it was called The Hollywood Playhouse. Architects Henry L. Gogerty and Carl Jules Weyl designed it. They used a beautiful Spanish Baroque style.
Federal Theatre Project
During the Great Depression, the theater was part of a special government program. This program was called the Federal Theatre Project. It helped people find work in the arts. The Hollywood Playhouse hosted many government-sponsored plays and shows during this time.
The El Capitan Theatre
In the 1940s, the theater got a new name: The El Capitan Theatre. It became home to a popular live show called Ken Murray's Blackouts. This show featured many different acts.
Famous radio host Bob Hope also broadcast his NBC radio show from here in the 1940s. Later, in the 1950s, NBC turned the theater into a television studio. A very important event happened here on September 23, 1952. Richard Nixon gave his famous "Checkers speech" from this stage. This speech was watched by many people across the country.
In 1952, the first nationally televised telethon also took place here. It raised money for the U.S. Olympic Team. Many stars like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra were part of it. The theater was also where NBC shows like The Colgate Comedy Hour and This Is Your Life were filmed. Later, ABC took over the studio. Their show, The Lawrence Welk Show, was filmed there.
The Jerry Lewis Theatre
In 1963, ABC spent a lot of money to update the building. Comedian Jerry Lewis then used the studio for his weekly TV show. For a short time, the theater was even renamed The Jerry Lewis Theatre. The stage was specially designed for his show. It had a large area for cameras and a special dressing room for Jerry Lewis.
The Hollywood Palace
After Jerry Lewis's show ended, ABC renamed the building The Hollywood Palace. In January 1964, a new weekly variety show started there. It was also called The Hollywood Palace. This show featured different celebrity hosts each week. Stars like Bing Crosby, Liberace, and Judy Garland hosted the show. It was a huge success and ran for over seven years.
The show was known for its amazing stage transformations. The set would change right on camera between acts. This kept the audience watching! Many famous performers from Las Vegas and Reno came to perform. The show helped many entertainers become even more famous. In 1965, the studio was updated to broadcast in full color.
The Palace
In 1978, ABC sold the theater. A businessman named Dennis Lidtke bought it. He worked to restore the building. Four years later, it reopened with a shorter name: The Palace. The old audience seats were removed. The floor was made flat to create a large open space. Bands played on the stage, and people could dance on the floor.
The Palace was featured in movies like Against All Odds and Boiling Point. The famous punk band Ramones played their very last show here on August 6, 1996. This performance was recorded for their album We're Outta Here!. The building has also hosted the American Music Awards.
Avalon Today
In 2002, Hollywood Entertainment Partners bought the building. They renamed it Avalon. Since 2004, it has been a popular spot for electronic dance music (EDM) events. "Avaland" nights feature big-name DJs playing house music, trance, and techno music. Another night, "Control," focuses on dubstep, Trap, and Electro music.
The owners wanted to create a full visual and sound experience for clubgoers. Avalon also had a VIP restaurant area called the Spider Club. This club aimed to bring back the intimate feel of Hollywood's golden age nightlife. In 2008, the Spider Club became Bardot. It is still a popular place to see new and established music acts.
Avalon Hollywood has hosted many special events. These include fundraisers and birthday parties for celebrities like Bruce Willis. Many top EDM artists have played at Avalon. Some of these include Tiesto, Marcus Schulz, and Paul Oakenfold. The success of Avalon Hollywood led its owner, Steve Adelman, to open other clubs. He opened Club 86 in Hollywood and even Avalon at the Marina Bay Sands Casino in Singapore.
See also
In Spanish: Avalon Hollywood para niños
- List of contributing properties in the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District
