Irving Plaza facts for kids
Entrance of venue on December 17, 2018
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| Full name | Irving Plaza, powered by Klipsch |
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| Former names | Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza (2007–2010) |
| Address | 17 Irving Pl New York City, NY 10003-2392 |
| Location | Union Square, Manhattan |
| Coordinates | 40°44′6″N 73°59′18″W / 40.73500°N 73.98833°W |
| Public transit | New York City Subway:          at 14th Street-Union Square NYCT Bus: M1, M2, M3, M14A, M14D, SIM7, SIM33, X27, X28 |
| Owner | Polish Army Veterans Association of America |
| Operator | Live Nation |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Opened | July 14, 1978 |
Irving Plaza is a popular music spot in New York City. It's a ballroom-style venue located in the Union Square area of Manhattan. Sometimes, it's known as Irving Plaza, powered by Klipsch because of a sponsorship. For a few years, it was also called the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.
In 2013, a guide called Complex City Guide named Irving Plaza one of the "50 Best Concert Venues of America." This shows how important it is for live music!
Contents
A Community Hub: Polish Army Veterans' Hall
The building that houses Irving Plaza has a rich history. In 1948, the Polish Army Veterans of America District 2 bought it. They turned it into a special place for the Polish-American community.
Many important Polish figures visited the hall. In 1976, the future Pope John Paul II even spoke there. This shows how significant the building was before it became a music venue.
Irving Plaza: A Rock Music Hotspot
In 1978, the building changed its tune! It was transformed into a place for rock music concerts. Two promoters, Tom Goodkind and Frank Roccio, helped make this happen.
Early Rock and New Wave Music
Soon after opening, the venue became a major spot for new music. Famous bands like the B-52s, Talking Heads, and the Ramones played there. It quickly became known as a top place in America for punk rock and New wave music.
Changes in Management and Music Styles
The venue reopened in 1983 with new management. They brought in different types of music, including reggae and college rock. They even advertised, "We don't have video," focusing on the live music experience.
In 1986, Chris Williamson took over. He started featuring alternative rock bands. For a while, there were talks about closing the club and turning it into apartments. But these plans didn't happen.
Improvements and Hip Hop Nights
In 1987, the club reopened with better sound and lighting. The band Big Audio Dynamite played the first shows. Irving Plaza also hosted popular hip hop nights called "Milky Way."
However, the neighborhood was changing, and some local people didn't like the noise from the club. The venue closed its doors at the end of 1988. The Ramones played the very last show on December 31, 1988.
New Owners and a Name Change
In the early 1990s, Ron Delsener managed the venue. Later, Live Nation, a big event promoter, took over. They renovated Irving Plaza and reopened it on April 11, 2007. For a few years, they changed its name to "Fillmore New York At Irving Plaza." This name was a nod to the famous Fillmore East venue that used to be in Manhattan.
However, many people still called it Irving Plaza. So, in May 2010, Live Nation decided to change the name back to "Irving Plaza." A new sign, just like the old one, was made for the front of the building.
Surprise Shows and Recent Updates
Irving Plaza continues to host many exciting concerts. On February 14, 2015, the legendary musician Paul McCartney played a surprise show there. He announced it only that morning on Twitter, making it a very special event for fans.
In 2019, the venue closed for more renovations. These updates were planned to make the venue even better for future concerts. It was expected to reopen in 2020.
