Empress Theatre
338 Virginia Street,
Vallejo,
CA
94590
338 Virginia Street,
Vallejo,
CA
94590
5 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1911, the Empress Theatre was a large 1,000 seat, two-tiered theater with gold-leafed clouds on the ceiling, red velvet seats and a pipe organ. It has been remodeled several times over the years and has been known as the Republic, Vallejo, Senator and Crest names before being renamed the Empress Theatre in 1978 when it was purchased by William Elliott. The theater closed sometime around 1989 for seismic retrofitting, etc. and never reopened.
The Empress Theatre was later purchased by Robert Litwin and Mel Gomez, then restored and reopened.
Contributed by
Robin Plutchok
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Recent comments (view all 25 comments)
According to the Empress Theater website, this theater was known as the Fox Senator from 1929-1951.
The Empress is once again open for the business. It has been beautifully renovated from top to bottom. We went there last weekend and had a great time. http://www.empresstheatre.org/
This is a 2008 photo.
September 2008 photo
Here is a nice 2009 photo of the Empress.
Another of the Empress Theatre.
View link
I’ve posted information and photos from a recent visit here.
This page at the Empress Theatre’s official web site names the architect of the theater as William A. Jones.
A few 2011 photo can be seen here, here, here and here.
The Historic Empress Theatre is featuring live music every Wednesday Night. Theatre manager, Don Bassey is a very well respected musician, and Vallejoan is bringing a broad spectrum of live music to this very special venue.
The Wednesday Night Ramble on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month featuring Don Bassey and the North Bay All Stars and friends from all over the Bay Area and places beyond.
Soul Shine on the 2nd Wednesday Night of each month featuring Timm Walker and Groove Masters and friends from around the Bay Area. Sista Monica performed with the Groove Masters on March 20th.
Hot House Blues on the 4th Wednesday Night of each month.
Johnny Rawls will be here on March 27th.
Memorial Benefit Concert on Sunday, April 7th, 6:00 PM to raise funds for the family of the late John Seppala. Musicians playing on April 7: PHD’S The Real Imposters The Leo Virgil Jazz Trio Stephanie Teel The Rockin’ Horns The Rob Heart Trio ON2R Stef Burns
Special guests current and former members of: Huey Lewis & the News Tower of Power Santana Cold Blood Starship Pete Escovedo Carlos Reyes & Many more
This is an event not to miss and ticket proceeds benefit the family.
We are also currently raising dollars to purchase a new technology, State of the Art sound delivery and control system for the Empress. Tectonics Audio Labs and A.I.R. sound control system is in our future. Mixing historic with new technology. Come see what the Empress is all about. Vallejo’s Historic Theatre owned by the community, managed by the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation, and funded solely with patronage, sponsorships, and donations.
Sign up for our e-blast at: www.empresstheatre.org