A recent newspaper article August 4 2021 https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/article_83d1c932-f17a-11eb-bce8-f723ceac2054.html?fbclid=IwAR0bV0N5aIeJ6v4Fygt-yvPsqsOQYI_9ckZu5oSoE_QKCJQKHSdbHZ0d0b8
The historic State Theater in Milwaukee’s SOHI District could be reopened for the first time in nearly two decades as an all-ages music club.
The project, called The New State, would also be a combination of non- and for-profit businesses, sharing and collaborating in the space at 2612 W. State St.
The venue will include sober music performances, a professional sound engineering studio, a consignment store for local artists, and classroom and performance space focusing on the development of young musicians and artists.
West Side Arts Un, Limited, a newly-formed non-profit organization that includes developers, architects and business owners residing in the Near West Side, have launched a public financing campaign to raise $250,000 for the project.
That money will be used to stabilize the building and winterize it, said Allyson Nemec of Quorum Architects. Another $2.5 million will then have to be raised to complete the renovations.
The group hopes to open the doors of The New State in 2020.
The building is currently owned by the Milwaukee Redevelopment Authority.
Board members include Nemec, John Hennessy of Hennessy Group, Charles Forsberg of Mammyth Audio and Andrew Parker of Manderley Bed & Breakfast.
The building was known as the State Theater from 1915 to 1955 and eventually became a well-known music club. The venue was at times also called The Palms and Electric Ballroom.
Well-known musicians including U2, Elvis Costello, The Police, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers all played at the club.
It was later renamed Hoops and became a strip club, that eventually closed in the early 1990s. The building stood empty and neglected since.
In February 2017, a two-alarm fire destroyed much of the inside.
Nemec, who also lives in the neighborhood, put together a group to come up with potential renovation and reuse ideas for the property.
In studying the project’s feasibility, creating space that would focus on music and provide a benefit to the community became the answer.
“We read a little bit about the demolition that was being contemplated by the city because no use had come forward, and wanted to do something,” Nemec said, adding that the space will also house Milwaukee businesses FREESPACE and Mammyth Audio. “We talked about it for a long time and decided that combining forces we could all come up with something that supported an all-ages venue at this location.”
Interesting article that appeared in the Chicago reader….
http://m.chicagoreader.com/chicago/now-featured-at-the-sheridan-theatre-squatters-politics-and-two-plans-for-rehabilitation/Content?oid=877825
In the Final Years the store fronts north of the entrance were demolished for parking lot as the Auditorium was converted to a food store for a couple of years. I do NOT recall if the Lobby was retained or also demolished for parking.
In the 1960’s, the building became The Rivoli Ballroom.
I could be wrong, but I believe it was also used for banquets before or at the same time it had Ballroom dancing. I do recall my Uncle once going there trying to secure a location for a bowling banquet.
I do know for the Ballroom Dancing events, The Original Marquee and vertical RIVOLI sign were once again lit up and used to promote the dances. The same bands that performed the over 30 dances at the Embassy and Milford Ballroom began performing here.
I don’t know how long this operation lasted but I remember the facility was closed again before it became Antoine’s Ballroom and Banquets. The Main auditorium was kept intact for Large parties, and the remainder of the stores in the theater building became smaller Banquet Halls.
Antoine’s eventually closed and I can only assume it was because of lack of available private Parking. I performed several Weddings and parties there, and I can assure you first hand…parking was a NIGHTMARE.
As mentioned above… since the early 1980s, the former Rivoli has housed the Muslim Community Center.
Does anyone know what if anything is left of the auditorium as it still appears to be intact. On the Racine side there is a cleanng store built into the rear of the auditorium.
Sometime in the mid 60’s I recall shopping in the area with my parents. After a bit of nagging, they reluctrantly made a special stop for me so I could go in and look around.
At that time it was some type resale store – possibly Goodwill. It still had the high ceilings (but hanging florescent lights had been installed).
The room was designed so the walls narrowed and you could easily make out where the screen would have been (the building was not a box).
I do recall when you entered the building, you walked on a tile floor initially. The lobby wall was removed so the building was one big space. As you continued into the former auditorium, the floor soon became wood. My guess is the incline was still there and the wood floor was a quick way to level the area for retail use.
The Theatre was located on the southwest corner of Central and 22nd street. If I remember correctly, it was a beauty school, for teaching Womens hair styling.
As mentioned above, the alley east of Cicero at one time ran all the way to Belmont until Walgreens was built. The west wall of the theatre bordered the alley.
The Building was owned and operated by Dan Belloc, former band leader and music & record promoter. His name appears on many hit songs including ‘ PRETEND ’ by Nat King Cole.
The last ‘ BIG NAME ’ Big Band to appear here was The Woody Herman Orchestra circa 1976 – 77.
It was NOT a nostalgia concert although they did play a few of their 1940’s hits. The orchestra mainly performed their current style which consisted of Jazz & Jazz Rock – with some 1970’s pop hits of the day ( Jazzman, Alone Again Naturally, Superstar, Where is the Love ) etc. While a few probably tried to dance, it was more of a concert and most everyone just stood on the dance floor listening.
When the Embassy Ballroom sold and ran their official last on Sept 27, 1981, their regular Big Band Dancers were informed the dances would continue at The Holiday Balloom.
Those dances continued until the late 80’s when the ballroom was raised for the New – Jefferson Park terminal expansion.
The Logan Square Theatre can be seen on the front page and it is also the photo of the month of October in the NEW / C.T.A. calendar. http://tinyurl.com/2fyqpga
The Auditorium stood were the incline to the subway is now. Obviously an OLD photo as the side sign is still advertising Vaudeville. You can see it was no SMALL theatre! My Guess is the east end of the building was flush against the remaining buildings.
You can also see it in the background here of photos logansquare07 and crt223 . http://tinyurl.com/29z948d
The above link will display several Embassy Ballroom tickets.
During demolition, I found a whole roll of them just laying on the office floor. (These few came loose from the roll over the years.)
Note.. The tickets were probably never used because they were incorrectly printed with… 3940.
The above heading address for the theatre is also incorrect.
The correct address for the theatre / ballroom s/b 3950 w. Fullerton as that’s the address owner Johnny Burke instructed me to print on the flyers for our 1984 dance.
If any one wants a few tickets.. contact me for my address and then just send me a SASE.
In 2023 the theater is the location used for TV Tapings for WOW - Ladies of Wrestling. https://wowe.com/
A recent newspaper article August 4 2021 https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/article_83d1c932-f17a-11eb-bce8-f723ceac2054.html?fbclid=IwAR0bV0N5aIeJ6v4Fygt-yvPsqsOQYI_9ckZu5oSoE_QKCJQKHSdbHZ0d0b8
Re-opening update ! ! ! ! ! https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/top-stories/peorias-madison-theater-may-open-its-doors-again-after-nearly-two-decade-closure/?fbclid=IwAR045wpXAWB2OEn3Yl-nN-A-jz6RQ_0EVqryEtLNyySxaCu2aMKSSCfiwPk
Dave Wickerham at the Pipe Organ
Since tiny url no longer works… I have added a picture of TWO (2) Tickets that I found during demolition in the 1960’s … to the photos page
The historic State Theater in Milwaukee’s SOHI District could be reopened for the first time in nearly two decades as an all-ages music club.
The project, called The New State, would also be a combination of non- and for-profit businesses, sharing and collaborating in the space at 2612 W. State St.
The venue will include sober music performances, a professional sound engineering studio, a consignment store for local artists, and classroom and performance space focusing on the development of young musicians and artists.
West Side Arts Un, Limited, a newly-formed non-profit organization that includes developers, architects and business owners residing in the Near West Side, have launched a public financing campaign to raise $250,000 for the project.
That money will be used to stabilize the building and winterize it, said Allyson Nemec of Quorum Architects. Another $2.5 million will then have to be raised to complete the renovations.
The group hopes to open the doors of The New State in 2020.
The building is currently owned by the Milwaukee Redevelopment Authority.
Board members include Nemec, John Hennessy of Hennessy Group, Charles Forsberg of Mammyth Audio and Andrew Parker of Manderley Bed & Breakfast.
The building was known as the State Theater from 1915 to 1955 and eventually became a well-known music club. The venue was at times also called The Palms and Electric Ballroom.
Well-known musicians including U2, Elvis Costello, The Police, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers all played at the club.
It was later renamed Hoops and became a strip club, that eventually closed in the early 1990s. The building stood empty and neglected since.
In February 2017, a two-alarm fire destroyed much of the inside.
Nemec, who also lives in the neighborhood, put together a group to come up with potential renovation and reuse ideas for the property.
In studying the project’s feasibility, creating space that would focus on music and provide a benefit to the community became the answer.
“We read a little bit about the demolition that was being contemplated by the city because no use had come forward, and wanted to do something,” Nemec said, adding that the space will also house Milwaukee businesses FREESPACE and Mammyth Audio. “We talked about it for a long time and decided that combining forces we could all come up with something that supported an all-ages venue at this location.”
https://www.biztimes.com/2018/industries/arts-entertainment-sports/historic-state-theater-in-milwaukees-sohi-district-could-reopen-as-all-ages-club/
In the photos section… This is the movie on the Marquee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallelujah_(film)
Movie playing on the Marquee 1929 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallelujah_(film)
Interesting article that appeared in the Chicago reader….
http://m.chicagoreader.com/chicago/now-featured-at-the-sheridan-theatre-squatters-politics-and-two-plans-for-rehabilitation/Content?oid=877825
In the Final Years the store fronts north of the entrance were demolished for parking lot as the Auditorium was converted to a food store for a couple of years. I do NOT recall if the Lobby was retained or also demolished for parking.
In the 1960’s, the building became The Rivoli Ballroom.
I could be wrong, but I believe it was also used for banquets before or at the same time it had Ballroom dancing. I do recall my Uncle once going there trying to secure a location for a bowling banquet.
I do know for the Ballroom Dancing events, The Original Marquee and vertical RIVOLI sign were once again lit up and used to promote the dances. The same bands that performed the over 30 dances at the Embassy and Milford Ballroom began performing here.
I don’t know how long this operation lasted but I remember the facility was closed again before it became Antoine’s Ballroom and Banquets. The Main auditorium was kept intact for Large parties, and the remainder of the stores in the theater building became smaller Banquet Halls.
Antoine’s eventually closed and I can only assume it was because of lack of available private Parking. I performed several Weddings and parties there, and I can assure you first hand…parking was a NIGHTMARE.
As mentioned above… since the early 1980s, the former Rivoli has housed the Muslim Community Center.
Added a few more photos of the murals on the auditorium walls taken 2/12/15. The remainder of the auditorium will probably leveled on 2/13/15.
Seen Today… The Auditorium is fenced in … Machinery on site.. about to begin Demolition in a few day or sooner.
The Park is now the site of a Church’s Chicken.
Streetcar 103 is a West Towns Streetcar. Those streetcars “ never ” crossed Austin Ave. The line ended on the WEST side of Austin.
The address and location is correct. The photo was taken from the west side of Austin and is looking east / north east.
Does anyone know what if anything is left of the auditorium as it still appears to be intact. On the Racine side there is a cleanng store built into the rear of the auditorium.
Sometime in the mid 60’s I recall shopping in the area with my parents. After a bit of nagging, they reluctrantly made a special stop for me so I could go in and look around.
At that time it was some type resale store – possibly Goodwill. It still had the high ceilings (but hanging florescent lights had been installed).
The room was designed so the walls narrowed and you could easily make out where the screen would have been (the building was not a box).
I do recall when you entered the building, you walked on a tile floor initially. The lobby wall was removed so the building was one big space. As you continued into the former auditorium, the floor soon became wood. My guess is the incline was still there and the wood floor was a quick way to level the area for retail use.
Just confirming.. YES … The Salvation Army building in the photo is the former theatre.
The Theatre was located on the southwest corner of Central and 22nd street. If I remember correctly, it was a beauty school, for teaching Womens hair styling.
As mentioned above, the alley east of Cicero at one time ran all the way to Belmont until Walgreens was built. The west wall of the theatre bordered the alley.
The Rock dances continued into the late 70’s.
The Building was owned and operated by Dan Belloc, former band leader and music & record promoter. His name appears on many hit songs including ‘ PRETEND ’ by Nat King Cole.
The last ‘ BIG NAME ’ Big Band to appear here was The Woody Herman Orchestra circa 1976 – 77.
It was NOT a nostalgia concert although they did play a few of their 1940’s hits. The orchestra mainly performed their current style which consisted of Jazz & Jazz Rock – with some 1970’s pop hits of the day ( Jazzman, Alone Again Naturally, Superstar, Where is the Love ) etc. While a few probably tried to dance, it was more of a concert and most everyone just stood on the dance floor listening.
When the Embassy Ballroom sold and ran their official last on Sept 27, 1981, their regular Big Band Dancers were informed the dances would continue at The Holiday Balloom.
Those dances continued until the late 80’s when the ballroom was raised for the New – Jefferson Park terminal expansion.
View link
Another view of the Milford Theatre and Ballroom
View link
Postcard view of the inside of the Milford Ballroom
Finally a photo and a name ! ! ! !
The Logan Square Theatre can be seen on the front page and it is also the photo of the month of October in the NEW / C.T.A. calendar.
http://tinyurl.com/2fyqpga
The Auditorium stood were the incline to the subway is now. Obviously an OLD photo as the side sign is still advertising Vaudeville. You can see it was no SMALL theatre! My Guess is the east end of the building was flush against the remaining buildings.
You can also see it in the background here of photos logansquare07 and crt223 .
http://tinyurl.com/29z948d
Correction…. Johnny Burke instructed me to print 3950 on the flyers and newspaper ads for our 1981 dances.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2vlqmn4&s=7
The above link will display several Embassy Ballroom tickets.
During demolition, I found a whole roll of them just laying on the office floor. (These few came loose from the roll over the years.)
Note.. The tickets were probably never used because they were incorrectly printed with… 3940.
The above heading address for the theatre is also incorrect.
The correct address for the theatre / ballroom s/b 3950 w. Fullerton as that’s the address owner Johnny Burke instructed me to print on the flyers for our 1984 dance.
If any one wants a few tickets.. contact me for my address and then just send me a SASE.