Rumors have been swirling around for the past few monthes now. Whispers here and there of Buffalo's infamous West Side venue re-opening its doors. Those who have passed by the Grant St. theater have noticed some work to the building, only adding fuel to the fire. Well, I'm very happy to say that the Showplace Theater is set to re-open and once again host shows.
This is very exciting news, especially if you grew up around Buffalo in the nineties and early 2000's. I can't tell you how many shows I went to at the Showplace. I practically lived there from '96-2000. In fact, I think it was the first venue I regularly attended shows at. From the Misfits, Cramps, Damned, Blood for Blood, Cannibal Corpse and all the major punk and metal shows, if it was at the Showplace Theater chances are I was there. I could probably write 20 pages on my experiences at Showplace but I won't bore you with memories that won't translate anyways. I'll simply give you the facts. This statement was released by (presumably) the new owners on their facebook page.
"Yes!! its alive......
"The Diamond in The Rough"
Yes, all you live music Connoisseur the amazing heart of the showplace theater has been kick started...........
After a long 5 year hiatus... Buffalo's best live music concert hall is around the corner from opening its doors to the public..... Maybe as soon as next year... Maybe....
First, we would like to say thank you to the Goretti family, a little push by the city of buffalo, The Glass Block Guys, and the nice folks who stopped by as we worked hard giving the facade a little face lift, thank you to all the neighbors encouraging us to keep going, Lets keep the talent and entertainment here in Buffalo, NY....
Thank you, thank you, thank you.......
We would love your feedback.... A trip down memory lane, tell us some of the great memories you had as a child watching movies, and some of the live music and talented acts that hit the stage & screen for over 90 years!! WOW!!...... Send any pix you may have.....
We will keep you informed as to the progress and development...."
So there you have it. Straight from the horses mouth. Showplace is set to re-open (hopefully) next year. Until then we must anxiously await. In the meantime I encourage you to get on facebook and "like" the Showplace Theater page and us buffaBloggers will keep you posted on further developments. Leave a comment if you have any memories or stories from the place.
This is excellent news. Here's hoping that the revival of this venue will bring even more bands to Buffalo rather than passing us by en route to Toronto or Cleveland.
link to the FB page??
I saw Blues Traveler there back in high school, so maybe 1999 or 2000. Show was fine and all. I bought a jelly donut from some shady guy outside after the show because I was starving. I took one bite and this huge guy came up to me, and keep in mind I was prob 5 feet 2 in high school, and blew his cigarette smoke in my face and then proceeded to put out his cigarette on my donut.
I look forward to more memories soon....
For some reason I was having trouble accessing the link, which is why I didn't post it. Just search for Showplace Theater and it should come up.
Nevermind. It's up.
Hopefully they do something about the stench in those bathrooms. 5 years of those festering odors might be enough fume strength to kill a being.
Saturday May 11, 1996 - Showplace Theater, Buffalo, 6:30 PM $6
Integrity
Turmoil
Cast Iron Hike
Union
Pride
Wasn't there a big melee at that show? I can't remember what about though...
I never went to a show here, but any new (or old) music venue coming is great fucking news.
I'm so excited!! I went to my first show ever here :)
I have more memories than i can count from all the punk shows at showplace....there was no other venue like it. Later when Xtreme wheels popped up and we would hear our favorite bands would play there this time instead of Showplace...we all looked like kids who just got their halloween candy robbed...the vibe alone at showplace...smh you could feel it. And the best part was when those bands would strike their first chords and you could just feel your ribcage with each note and you could feel the energy from the crowd...you just Knew it was gonna be the best night of the week. Showplace was the only place in the world i could catch a nice kick to the face by an unforseen crowd surfer and laugh about it after. Showplace is where i met my daughter's father...both of us soaked with the sweat from God knows how many people....my limp mohawk..lol still found each other attractive enough because everyone was riding the same high that only that place could bring and no amount of smuged eyeliner or sweat made a difference. If it werent for that place i wouldnt have all these memories and more and her father and i wouldnt have our little girl. Best times of my life we at Showplace Theater!!!