It’s showtime!

Showplace Theater of Buffalo will be opening its doors for a sneak peek Halloween costume party on November 1, 2013 at 7:30pm. I spoke to owner Joe “Roxbury” Breidenstein about the celebrated occasion, and he was over the moon about finally getting the former movie house and concert venue back into the public realm. “While we’re not ready to talk about the types of music that will be played at The Showplace, what I can tell you is that I have promoters beating down my door to get a crack at the venue,” Joe told me. “On November 1, the objective is to get people through the front door to show how we’ve cleaned the place up. We’ve painted, removed the different side levels that were always a problem, and we’ve added theater seating in the back, with standing room only in the front. My hope is that we’re going to attract bands and theater performances, and any other respectable shows that will make this place shine moving forward.”

According to Joe, the building was first built as The Unity Theater (for movies) around 1911. From there it became The Try-It Theater in the 30s/40s (still movies). In the 70s it was renamed The Showplace, and eventually began to feature smut films (as many theaters did around that time). It remained a low end movie house for a time, and it was not until the early 90s that it transitioned into a concert venue. “Times change,” Joe said. “And this place has changed a lot. Fortunately while many of the old venues have disappeared, we’ve held on to this venue until we felt that it was the right time to re-open. We’re going to work out some of the kinks and bugs, and then we’re going to announce the music direction that we’re heading. The place looks amazing on the inside… it has that old theater charm that you can’t recreate. It’s clean, neat and polished, and it’s going to stay that way. We’re going to be applying for a full liquor license soon and we want to connect with the community – people and organizations – to see what they want, and what they need.”

To this day, Joe tells me that people drive by and take pictures and ask when The Showplace will reopen. While many of Buffalo’s historic concert venues have fallen by the wayside, new ones have emerged in all parts of the city. It’s good to see one of the nostalgic theaters coming back to life in Black Rock – in a building that is right around the corner from blossoming Amherst Street. “We’ve got a new attitude about this venue… about this city,” Joe added. “Soon we’ll be starting to film a documentary about The Showplace that will feature the past, present and future of the venue. I think people will be amazed when they see what this place has been through and where it is going.”

The Showplace Theater Sneak Peek Costume Party | 1065 Grant St, Buffalo, New York 14207

Friday, November 1, 2013 | 7:30pm | Facebook

$10 cover charge – Costumes suggested (cash prizes) | 21 and over | DJ Ran Kan | Valet Parking