Where is the Aztec Theatre located?
The Aztec Theatre is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio at the corner of Commerce and St. Mary's. There are many parking garages within a few blocks walking distance to the venue.
How many guests can Aztec Theatre accommodate?
Located just blocks from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Aztec Theatre accommodates 25 to 1,500 guests, and our talented staff handles every detail, so you don't have to!
What happened to the Aztec Theatre?
The Aztec Theatre was part of the Theater district that included the Empire (1914), the Texas (1926), the Majestic (1929), and the Alameda (1949). Though the theater remained highly popular for many decades, by the 1970s, it was in decline.
What was the architecture like in the Aztec Theatre?
Unlike most atmospheric theatres, the main architectural elements of the Aztec’s auditorium are symmetrical. Monumental Doric columns support the proscenium, flanked on their inner edges by gigantic cut stones gradually stepping inward as they rise from stage floor to the proscenium above.
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How big is the Aztec Theater in San Antonio?
Located just blocks from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Aztec Theatre accommodates 25 to 1,500 guests, and our talented staff handles every detail, so you don't have to!
How many people does the Aztec Theater hold?
1,500Aztec Theatre / Capacity
How old is the Aztec Theater?
96Aztec Theatre / Age (c. 1926)
Who owns the Aztec Theater?
Chris and his brother Jeff are long time Shawnee residents and business owners, and they could see Wade's vision through to fruition. Along with their friend and business partner, Bruce Young, Chris and Jeff formed their company, Aztec Group, LLC, and purchased the Aztec Theater.
When did the Aztec Theater close?
The last movie Calkins saw at Aztec Theater before it closed in 1974 was The Cowboys.
What is the Aztec theater?
Hanging in front of the stage is the original fire screen, a painting depicting the meeting of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519. The interior of the theater is embellished with fixtures, furnishings, relief carvings, sculpture, plaques, painted symbols and architectural elements inspired by the Aztec, Mixtec, Zapotec, Toltec, and Mayan cultures. The theater is housed in a six-story office building.
When was the Aztec Theater built?
Built in 1926 , the Aztec Theatre is a notable example of the impressive exotic-theme motion picture palaces constructed in the United States during the economic boom of the 1920s. The Kellwood Corporation, owned by Robert Bertrum Kelly (the architect on record) and H.C. Woods, constructed the theater in 1926 with the financial backing of Commerce Reality at a cost of $1.75 million.
When did the Aztec Theatre reopen?
Based on San Antonio's Riverwalk, the new Aztec Theatre re-opened in August 2009 as a concert venue. San Antonio Rose Live was a two-hour live show featuring traditional country, western swing, and gospel music. Featuring the San Antonio Rose Live Band composed of 9 world-class musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin and San Antonio. This show closed in February 2012 due to "the current and future economic circumstances".
When was the chandelier in the theater added?
A massive two-ton chandelier dominates the theater lobby. Added to the theatre in 1929 , the chandelier has been completely restored by the grandson of the original designer. The chandelier was installed the same day the stock market crashed in 1929 .
When was the Aztec Theatre built?
The Aztec Theatre opened in June 1926 as a Mesoamerican-themed atmospheric movie theatre, generally considered the most elaborate example of its kind throughout the entire United States. Despite triplexing in the 1970s and an extended period of closure in the 1990s/2000s, the theatre has been restored to its 1920s glory ...
When was the Aztec Theatre in San Antonio opened?
Aztec Theatre, San Antonio. The Aztec Theatre opened in June 1926 as a Mesoamerican-themed atmospheric movie theatre, generally considered the most elaborate example of its kind throughout the entire United States.
What are the main elements of the Aztec auditorium?
Unlike most atmospheric theatres, the main architectural elements of the Aztec’s auditorium are symmetrical. Monumental Doric columns support the proscenium, flanked on their inner edges by gigantic cut stones gradually stepping inward as they rise from stage floor to the proscenium above. To the sides of the proscenium are paired columns with the appearance of cut stone, flanking ornate organ grilles composed of writhing golden serpents (the sacred serpent Quetzalcoatl) amongst intricate wave and circle patterns – Mesoamerican symbols for water and sand. The columns are capped by giant sculptures of Coyolxauhqui, the Aztec Moon goddess. These sculptures have burning red eyes and Aztec sun stones sitting atop their heads. Above the organ grilles the stepped-back “roofs” allude to Mayan or Aztec stepped pyramids.
What is the largest chandelier in Texas?
The impressive four-story colonnaded lobby features a massive one-and-a-half ton chandelier, two stories tall and 12ft wide, hailed as the largest chandelier in Texas when it was added to the theatre in 1929. It was commissioned because theatre management decided they needed to step up their game and elevate the theatre’s level of grandeur in light of the Majestic Theatre opening just a couple of blocks away. The chandelier was constructed out of steel and glass from scratch in just 35 days. Directly underneath the chandelier sat a circular sacrificial altar stone featuring detailed carving (see photo below), however it was removed from the theatre after being sold in the 1960s.
What are the columns of the Aztec pyramids?
The columns are capped by giant sculptures of Coyolxauhqui, the Aztec Moon goddess. These sculptures have burning red eyes and Aztec sun stones sitting atop their heads. Above the organ grilles the stepped-back “roofs” allude to Mayan or Aztec stepped pyramids.
What is the organ grille on the Wurlitzer?
The organ grilles are decorated with wave and circle patterns, Mesoamerican symbols for water and sand. The gigantic columns flanking the organ grilles are each capped with a sculpture of Coyolauhqui, the Aztec Moon goddess.
How many lamps are there in the lobby of the Mayan temple?
Surrounding the lobby at orchestra level there are 16 wall lamps, supported on slender columns rising from the floor which are modeled on ceremonial staffs and feature Mayan detailing. The wall lamps have heraldic emblems and send a gold light outwards and upwards throughout the lobby.
What is the Aztec Theatre?
In the year of 2009, like most of the old-school theaters operating in the United States today, the Aztec Theatre became a venue for live entertainment. The theatre's stage has been graced by the blues gods, with performances by Buddy Guy, George Thorogood and Kenny Wayne Sheppard. You can catch just about anything at the Aztec, from pop to rap, and even a few comedians too.
When did the Aztec Theatre reopen?
Years later, with the growing popularity of San Antonio's Riverwalk, the Aztec Theatre reopened in August of 2009, but not for motion pictures. No, this time around, the theatre became a venue for live music.
What happened to the Aztec theatre in San Antonio?
The explosion marked the fourth stench bombing to occur at a theatre in San Antonio. Prior to the May 4th bombing at the Aztec, thirty operators (projectionists) went on strike demanding the theatres hire extra hands. The theatres decided instead to fire the thirty workers on April 18th, and hired nonunion and less-trained people from out of town (sort of like Teach for America).
Why did the theatres close after the bombing?
Stench bombings were designed to hurt the management and the owners. After an attack, refunds were demanded by patrons, and theatres usually were forced to close for weeks, if not longer, thus costing the theatre owners lots and lots of moolah, dead presidents, Benjamins, cabbage, aka money. As they say, "cash is king." And, just one of these bombs could cause a theatre to lose 4,000 dollars, roughly the equivalent of 70,000 dollars today. So, it's easy to see why this was the goal, the reasoning behind the stench bombing campaigns.
What happened to the handbills in the 1931 movie theater?
Threats in some cities, escalated to violence. In Columbus, Ohio, in the year of 1931, a gunman who claimed to represent the local projectionists' union, kidnapped a man who owned a chain of theatres in the area, in an attempt to "persuade" him into settling the ongoing labor dispute.
Was the Uptown Theatre in San Antonio bombed?
Its lobby was damaged, but no people were harmed. However, a year later, the Uptown was bombed again, and this time it was during a screening, on a busy Saturday night. Amidst the blast, glass ended up shattering, and badly injured a woman seated in the audience.
Was anyone arrested for the theater bombings?
No one was ever arrested for the theatre bombings is San Antonio. Though there was speculation the sulfur bombs "stench bombs" may have been a tactic by the operators who were obviously disgruntled.
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Overview
History
Built in 1926, the Aztec Theatre is a notable example of the impressive exotic-theme motion picture palaces constructed in the United States during the economic boom of the 1920s. The Kellwood Corporation, owned by Robert Bertrum Kelly (the architect on record) and H.C. Woods, constructed the theater in 1926 with the financial backing of Commerce Reality at a cost of $1.75 million.
Architectural features
The Aztec was designed by the firm of Meyer & Holler. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992, it is decorated with vibrantly-colored columns, sculptures, furnishings and murals, many of which are authentic reproductions of Meso-American artifacts. Hanging in front of the stage is the original fire screen, a painting depicting the meeting of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519. The interior of the theater is embellished with …
Retail shops
The remaining features of the Riverwalk level of the Aztec Theatre include:
• GO RIO Cruises: River cruises with entertaining narratives of the rich history of the San Antonio River. http://www.goriocruises.com/
• The Thirsty Aztec: Frozen drink and cocktail bar. https://thirstyaztec.com/
Noted performers
• Alejandra Guzmán
• Ann Wilson
• Better Than Ezra
• Citizen Cope
• Collective Soul
External links
• Cinema Treasures
• San Antonio Conservation Society
See also
House Of Blues