began as Geller's Theatre, a vaudeville house in the late 20's playing host to the
likes of Jack Benny. Through the middle decades of the century it served as a family
movie emporium, and in the 70's and 80's it was a porn institution (the number one
exhibitor of the X-rated classic Deep Throat). In late 1993 Steve Reischman and
Sally Custer (then of promotions company Showman, Inc.) renovated the old hall into
the shining light of Portland music venues.
is a 620 capacity venue that has won numerous awards as Portland's favorite live
music venue. From quiet "listening" shows such as RAY DAVIES (The Kinks) and LEO
KOTTKE, to loud "rock-out" shows like SLEATER-KINNEY and BLONDE REDHEAD, the Aladdin
has been likened to "music church" and has become a must-play venue on the way up
for many of today's hottest acts. JEFF BUCKLEY, MACY GRAY, ERYKAH BADU, STEVE EARLE,
PAULA COLE, BEN HARPER, DIDO, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, NELLY FURTADO, STRING CHEESE INCIDENT,
NORAH JONES, BETH ORTON, KELLER WILLIAMS, RYAN ADAMS, POE, DIANA KRALL, GILLIAN
WELCH and RUFUS WAINWRIGHT are just a few of the acts in recent years that have
spring boarded from Aladdin into large theaters, amphitheatres, and arenas.
Acts that normally play larger concert halls have found the to be a perfect situation for them to play in
a more intimate environment: BRIAN WILSON (The Beach Boys), DAVID CROSBY (Crosby,
Stills, Nash and Young), RICHARD THOMPSON, JOHN HIATT, JOHN PRINE, BECK, EMMYLOU
HARRIS, EVERCLEAR, ROGER HODGSON (Supertramp), TRAGICALLY HIP, NILS LOFGREN (Crazy
Horse/E. Street Band), and INDIGO GIRLS.
And the
has become a home away from home for the finest acts in jazz, blues, world music,
pop, bluegrass, roots and everything in between: MACEO PARKER, MARC COHN, SUZANNE
VEGA, JOAN OSBORNE, DAVID GRISMAN QUINTET, BILLY BRAGG, PSYCHEDELIC FURS, J.J. CALE,
PATTY GRIFFIN, HENRY ROLLINS, KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE, YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING
BAND, JOHNNY WINTER, DAVID BROMBERG, PAT METHENY, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, CHICK COREA,
MARIANNE FAITHFUL, ROBBEN FORD, WARREN ZEVON, JONATHA BROOKE, YOUSSOU N'DOUR, DAR
WILLIAMS, LEON REDBONE, THE FLATLANDERS, FEMI KUTI, MIRIAM MAKEBA, RALPH STANLEY,
DEL McCOURY BAND and NANCI GRIFFITH.
Former employee Mark Adler became the proud owner of in 2001 and is committed to keeping the flame burning for many years to come with
a dedication to remaining not only a place that artists love to play, but as a place
that music fans come to listen.
Richard Thompson @ Aladdin Theater - 9/10/07 - photo by © Anthony Pidgeon
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