Bluebird Theater

Bluebird Theater
Thompson Theater (1914-22)
Exterior of the venue (c. 2009)
Interactive map of Bluebird Theater
Address3317 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206-1713
LocationCity Park
Coordinates39°44′25″N 104°56′54″W / 39.740331°N 104.948391°W / 39.740331; -104.948391
OwnerAEG Rocky Mountains
OperatorAEG Live
Capacity550
Construction
OpenedJuly 1914[1]
Closed1987-94
Reopened1994
ArchitectHarry W. J. Edbrooke
Website
Venue Website
Bluebird Theater
Arealess than one acre
Architectural styleLate 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements
NRHP reference No.97000018[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 31, 1997

The Bluebird Theater (originally known as the Thompson Theater) is a theater in Denver, Colorado on East Colfax Avenue. The theater was designed by Harry W. J. Edbrooke and built during 1913–1914. It was renamed in 1922.[1][2][3] It is currently used as a live music venue.

It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1997.[1]

History

The Bluebird Theater was built in 1913 and originally named after the prominent Denver grocer and druggist, John Thompson. The theater was renamed in 1922 and became an important part of the community.

During the Fox Intermountain Theaters era, the Bluebird was managed by Harvey Gollogher, who participated alongside Helen Spiller of the nearby Esquire Theatre in a corporate safety incentive program with the Gates Rubber Company that pooled ticket books from nine Denver Fox theaters for Gates' 4,500 employees.[4] In 1949, the Bluebird and the Esquire held a joint holiday toy matinee, partnering with the Denver Santa Claus Shop, the Lions Club, and the American Legion, with films donated by Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures.[5] Denver historian Phil Goodstein wrote that the Hiawatha Theatre (later the Esquire) was built in 1927 "at the behest of John Thompson of the Bluebird," though contemporary sources identify Gordon B. Ashworth as the builder.[6]

The theater was also initially a movie house and went through various phases over the years. In 1994, Chris Swank and Evan Dechtman invested in the Bluebird and it re-opened as a live music venue, as it remains today. The theater is laid out in tiers with a balcony overlooking the entire space. In 2006, AEG Live took over the Bluebird Theater and made significant upgrades.

Noted performers

References

  1. ^ a b c d "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Colorado Architects Biographical Sketch: Harry W. J. Edwards" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  3. ^ "About Bluebird Theater". Archived from the original on June 19, 2011.
  4. ^ "Winners Get Fox Theater Tickets: Safety Contest Opens For Gates Workers". Rocky Mountain News. October 10, 1953. p. 12 – via Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection.
  5. ^ "Esquire Toy Matinee". Rocky Mountain News. December 6, 1949. p. 21 – via Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection.
  6. ^ Goodstein, Phil (2022). "6. The Wyman District". The Ghosts of Denver: Capitol Hill (Revised 5th ed.). Denver, Colorado: New Social Publications. ISBN 978-0-9622169-4-7.
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