Our (fairly) regular roundup of Music & Arts related news from Chicago-based web media, featuring thoughts and insight from some of the city’s most dedicated writers.
- Congress Theater loses Marilyn Manson; Portage loses its projector
The troubled Congress Theater in Logan Square has lost another high-profile booking—the Marilyn Manson concert that was set to take place on Friday—because of problems conforming to city safety codes.
Meanwhile, owner Erineo “Eddie” Carranza’s second venue, the Portage Theater at Six Corners, now is without film projection equipment.
DNAinfo first reported yesterday that the show by aging shock-rocker Manson was in limbo because of a city order shuttering the venue for numerous code violations. The concert has since been moved to the Riviera Theater in Uptown.
DNAinfo also had the scoop on the Northwest Chicago Film Society leaving the Portage and finding a new home at the Patio Theater at Austin and Irving. The Patio had been set to close this summer because of the lack of air-conditioning equipment, but the society’s diehard fans of classic movies are willing to sweat it out so the shows can go on.
Noted reporter Heather Cherone: “Even if Carranza reopened the Portage Theater immediately, it would be ‘literally impossible’ to show movies there because there is no longer a projector, speakers or organ at the Portage, [Northwest Chicago Film Society executive director Rebecca] Hall said. The theater’s previous operators, who owned the equipment, took it all with them when the theater was closed, Hall added.”
The fate of the Congress and the Portage both are further clouded by the city’s revocation of a liquor license at the Congress, which Carranza is appealing. The law prohibits Carranza from getting a new license at the Portage while his license is revoked at his other venue.
Carranza’s ability to host musical events at both theaters will be seriously hampered if he cannot sell alcohol, and rumors continue to swirl in the local music industry that he is considering selling either or both venues.
One recent tip holds that SFX Entertainment, the quickly growing national electronic dance music promoter, has been eying the Congress.
Questioned about SFX’s interest via email, Carranza wrote, “Thanks to your extensive press coverage you have attracted attention of many music and non-music impresarios interested in our music business. A real estate agent couldn’t get me this many potential prospects. We have many offers but have not made any decisions on Congress’s future at this time.”
Earlier reports about Carranza, the Congress and the Portage theaters:
May 26: The Portage Theater didn’t have to close, but it did
May 24: Congress Theater liquor license revoked
May 1: Is the Congress Theater safe or not?
- Superman Vs. Ethan Hawke
Let’s talk about summer blockbusters; what is and what could be. [ more › ]
- Gossip Wolf: The Empty Bottle seals the deal on Pilsen’s Thalia Hall
The Empty Bottle seals the deal on Pilsen’s Thalia Hall, Weasel Walter returns with Cellular Chaos, and more.
by J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil
Last week Empty Bottle owner Bruce Finkelman closed a deal to buy Thalia Hall, a four-story landmark building near the 18th Street Pink Line stop in Pilsen. Finkelman says all six of Thalia Hall’s storefronts will be commercial spaces, and the corner storefront will become a tavern called Dusek’s (named after John Dusek, who founded Thalia Hall in 1892); its basement will be a separate bar, the Punch House, specializing in punch cocktails.… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
Digest powered by RSS Digest