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.
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