25th Street Theatre

1006 N. 25th Street,
Waco, TX 76707

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Showing 101 - 125 of 164 comments

micahpatzke
micahpatzke on January 20, 2005 at 12:09 pm

i love the 25th St Theatre and the funny thing is I’ve never even been inside. i used to drive by and fantasize about having the money to buy it and turn it into this or that. I wish ya’ll the best in your campaign to resurrect the place. I’m a journalism student at MCC and would like to raise awareness on the historical significance and current plight of the 25th through a story in our monthly magazine. I see some great quotes on this site if I could get permission to use them from the individuals. My email is Any contributions will be greatly appreciated.
Micah Patzke

ThePilot
ThePilot on January 13, 2005 at 10:01 am

I have yet to find “Frequency” much less “I’m so hot”, but have managed to find “Cadillac w/ the boom”, “I seen your boyfriend”, “Milkyway”, “Do it to me”, “Revolution”, and some of the New Order, 2Unlimited, and 808 State tunes. There was one more song I meant to ask about which was “Saturdays Angel”. They played it once in awhile, but heard it quite often at Club 151 (or 101) near the lake.
Anyway, any info would be greatly appreciated again!

Erik

NickShoop
NickShoop on November 22, 2004 at 10:42 am

Frequency was by Altern-8. Speaking of Eon-Spice was good, but the better song they did was “Fear is the Mind-Killer”.

Nick Shoop

1matt
1matt on November 19, 2004 at 5:33 pm

Or check out Eon. Same artist that had the song “The Spice” must flow.

Also 808 State is another good group Richard Played

1matt
1matt on November 19, 2004 at 5:32 pm

Frequency / Where is your evidence By New Energy. Invasion Recordings.

I could be wrong. But I have an album that has Frequency on it. Came out in 1990.

ThePilot
ThePilot on November 19, 2004 at 3:27 pm

Hello People!
This is a far shot, but I’ll try anyway. I was introduced to the “25th” (as my friends called it) when I was a freshman at TSTC. Being from a small town on the border, I didn’t have much experience in the club scene. Nonetheless, I went there one weekend and was blown away by the experience: great sound system, awesome light show, many people just having a blast and I was hooked! I would say I was there just about every Thur-Sat night. Though I was on a tight budget, I managed to round up some change (even beg for some) and make cover! HAHA Since then, I have yet to experience such an outstanding club environment anywhere. To this day, standing in the middle of the dance floor and “feeling” the music and watching the laser show from the projection booth makes me want to be there all over again!
Now on to my request. Like I said, this is a long shot, but would anyone have any info (or posess for that matter) music they used to play? In particular, one that said “Frequency” that was kinda tribal and another that said “I’m so hot” which was kinda trance/ambient. I have looked for those songs everywhere since then and have not come across any leads. I have been able to find some other songs they used to play which gives me goosebumps everytime I hear them.
Any info would be greatly appreciated at: or or, simply on here.
BTW, I was one of the guys who was always there with 2 other guys dressed with ties and longsleeve shirts. HAHA What a time!

Erik

1matt
1matt on November 9, 2004 at 6:13 pm

Hey Richard,

It is great to hear from you! How is everything? Are you still living in Dallas? I tried to call you about a year ago, but the old ph # I had was disconnected. Do you still talk to Andy, or Jimmy Bartlett?

Jamie and I are doing well. Still living up here in St. Louis. I am working during the week as a Laser Sugery Tech/ Laser Service Tech. I am actually doing what I said I wanted to do when I was in High School. During the weekend I run a mobile DJ company. We DJ mostly weddings. I DJed in the club sceen for about 10 yrs on and off, and realized I could make more money as a wedding DJ. I have 5 employees that work for me. In addition to that we are going to have a baby girl in January. Life really does go by fast!

All I have to say is you must not give up on your dreams. Work towards them, and make it happen. Eventually I would like to find a movie theater up here, and turn it into a club like you and Mousie did. I have found a few since I went out and looked, but they are not demographigally located in a spot that would work. The ones that would work have been picked up by develpoers.

Well Richard shoot me an email if you could. Here is my email address
mailto:

KennaD
KennaD on November 9, 2004 at 10:18 am

Richard-

I hope you read my past entries, I made specific mention of you, I do think of you often and how different I would have turned out had 25th not been such an huge part of my formative years. Outer Limits was a life changing experience for me, I was quite young, we begged and begged my best friend’s older brother to take us, he did. It’s a shame I was too young to really appriciate the great time I had. Thanks a million and I hope you are doing well and life has treated you kindly, keep in touch.

rickeiff
rickeiff on November 8, 2004 at 6:35 pm

Kenna:

Glad that you enjoyed 25th St. Both Richard O and myself loved “our kids.” It’s been quite a while since the club was open and I often wonder where everyone is and what youall are doing. We enjoyed about 10 years in Waco—first at the Outer Limits and then at 25th St. I hope all our customers think of us sometimes and remember the fun times.

Richard K., (Big Richard).

KennaD
KennaD on October 13, 2004 at 11:48 am

Good Morning!

Nice to see there is some fresh interest in the club. I have a feeling you’ll get a warm reception here, depending on the questions you ask and people you know, just kidding. Jake, I tried to call you a couple of times, no I didn’t leave a voicemail, I’m sure you’re busy but write when you are able, I’d love to hear from you. I’ll search for the number and try again. I guess the effects of 25 are far reaching beyond my wildest estimates, stretching across time and generations, boggles the mind!! Hugs to all!
Kenna

KennaD
KennaD on October 13, 2004 at 11:46 am

Good Morning!

Nice to see there is some fresh interest in the club. I have a feeling you’ll get a warm reception here, depending on the questions you ask and people you know, just kidding. Jake, I tried to call you a couple of times, no I didn’t leave a voicemail, I’m sure you’re busy but write when you are able, I’d love to hear from you. I’ll search for the number and try again. I guess the effects of 25 are far reaching beyond my wildest estimates, stretching across time and generations, boggles the mind!! Hugs to all!
Kenna

reaganschildren
reaganschildren on October 13, 2004 at 10:47 am

Hey guys. I am so stoked about this site. I am 24 years old and didnt have a chance to party with any of you guys, but I have always had this idea in my head about what it was like to dance to New Order, Suicide, PIL, Throbbing Gristle, Wire and so on. My imagination has sparked many ideas about what the late 70’s and early 80’s club scene was like and felt like i missed out big time. I have always been into dance music every since i can remember. Anyhoo, I was inspired the other night when I was at Trix’s (i know right?) and WARM LEATHERETTE played! I saw all these older guys get up and started to dance. I have had neighbors, relatives, and random people tell me all my life how incredible this club used to be. So, I am wanting to put together a documentary about the theatre in general. Maybe a little doc. for the city to see and another one more focused on the club scene. The 25th St. Theatre was inspired me so many different times and i’d like to settle all my confusion and hear some awesome stories about what the club was like. I have enlisted a couple of friends from University of Chicago and Fire Escape Films to help out with the doc. I just got the idea for the project like 2 weeks ago and things seem to be falling into place. This can happen with all your help. I am working on an outline and like to start filming by November 2004. My email is

mebryan
mebryan on October 7, 2004 at 7:47 pm

Does anybody read this anymore? Lets get the ball rolling on saving this theater. And not the Demo-Ball.

Matt

Tell Thurman I said hey. Is Michale S. still around?

mebryan
mebryan on October 7, 2004 at 12:32 am

1 Mode Electronics 16 Unit sequencer
1 Lite Lab L8000 LGC memory controller
2 30’ x 30’ robotic trusses
2 15’ x 15’ robotic sub trusses
6 Hitachi one-ton hoist
8 500 sub truss hoist
1 Optikinetics 4 channel strobe controller
4 Lightwave Research Robot projectors
1 Marconi RB2 Track ball and Archline AL-2000
1 Coemar Venus controller
1 Coemar Venus 4 Centerpiece
63 rain lights
4 Helicopters
20 Mode Electronics Arclines AL2 chasers
8 Lightwave Reaearch Pulstar strobes
5 Clay Paky Rotazione Oras
4 HiFi BR-7700U video recoeders
1 For a FA400 digital time base corrector
1 TVM 620 Video Tek Monitor
1 Numark PPD DM 1900 audio mixer
1 JVC TM-R14U commercial scan
1 Video Onics video title makers
1 Video Onics video mixer
6 JVC TM-9U color video monitors
1 Kinyo UV 512 cassette rewinder
1 JVC RM-86u Editing control unit
1 Optimus Sta 300 digital received
3 Sony Umatic BVU-920 SP video cassette players
2 Panasonic Video Camcorders

That is all I have listed for what was in 25th Street and Arcadia. Info copied out of DJ Times Sept 1995 issue pg. 57

mebryan
mebryan on October 6, 2004 at 11:46 pm

Arcadia Equipment List

1 Rane AC 22 Crossover
1 Furman TX 4 Crossover
1MXR Dual 2/3-oct. EQ
1 Rane RE 14 EQ
1 dbx 3bx III dynamic range expander
1 dbx 120 subharmonic synthesizer
4 GII Syatems 750 amps
1 Cerwin Vega A 400 amp
2 Technics SL1200MK2 turntables
1 Denon DN-2000F CD Player
1 Technics RS BR465 cassette deck
1 Rane MP24 DJ Mixer
1 Rane ME 15 micrographic EG
1 Biamp TC 60 pro amp
1 Technics 1700 reel to reel
4 Cerwin Vega V35D Speakers
8 Cerwin Vega L36P Speakers
1 Innova 7 Watt Argon Coherent (Laser Systems Limited Projector)
1 Laser System Maestro-S8000B Laser Controler
1 32’ Video Screen
1 Pulsar 24 Chanel Touch Panel

More to come

mebryan
mebryan on October 6, 2004 at 11:05 pm

Jake this is Matt Bryan from Whitney. Give me a call if you can. 314-803-0357 cell. I live in St. Louis now, but I can try to help. OK x-cellent!

Matt

NickShoop
NickShoop on September 8, 2004 at 12:59 pm

Wow, just found the website and glad to see that something is at least being considered if not done to bring back this wonderful place that I “think” I remember spending a lot of time at! 25th Street Theatre was a place my folks saw movies on the screen when they were at BU and that I saw movies in my head when I was there. It is a huge part of my (de)formative years. Hi Rob Bob and all…waller on the couch!

Nick Shoop
Dallas, TX

glyda
glyda on August 30, 2004 at 7:36 am

Our family lived in Waco from Fall, 1951 to Fall, 1954. My brother and I used to go to the Saturday afternoon matinees at the 25th St.
I remember seeing “Hondo” and “Charge at Feather River” in 3-D there.
I also saw my first CinemaScope film at the 25th St.—“River of No Return”. Other films I remember seeing there from 1951-1954 were: “Arrowhead”, “Duel in the Sun” (re-release), “Abbott & Costello Go to Mars” (single feature), “The Caddy”, “My Paul Gus”, “Shane”, “Take the High Ground”, “Pony Express”, Walt Disney’s “The Living Desert”, “The Vanishing Prairie”, “Rob Roy” and “Peter Pan”, “Hell and High Water” and “Dangerous When Wet”.

Gerald Lyda
San Antonio, TX

rej25th
rej25th on August 27, 2004 at 9:28 am

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy” – Martin Luther King Jr.

rej25th
rej25th on August 21, 2004 at 8:29 pm

jake,

surprised to read your comment on cinema treasures and see your new phone number. the last time we spoke, you had no way to contact the “outside world”. you said you would contact me as soon as you could. no big deal.

as far as my comments about richard’s father’s involvement in the restoration efforts of 25th: i do not know if you are aware of all the details regarding little richard’s relationship with his father and brother? i can tell you one thing, little richard would never go to them for this. now if the only thing richard’s father is involved in is handing the keys over free and clear to an organization to restore 25th – that is okay. but if he will benefit in any way from any transaction, that is not okay. if richard’s father or brother benefits in any way, it will be blasphemy in the face of little richard and will not honor him in any way.

the last time we spoke, you were very cryptic about 25th being saved and little richard’s father’s involvement. over the course of the last couple of months (or whenever it was the last time we spoke), i thought long and hard about richard’s father being somehow involved with saving 25th.

i stand by what i typed on cinema treasures and big richard is in agreement with me.

as i mentioned above, if his only involvement is his handing over the keys and deed to the city of waco or to the “save the 25th organization”, i am in full support. however, if he or his brother will benefit financially or otherwise from this transaction, i will be in full disagreement because little richard’s memory will be smeared by that action.

to change the subject, i hope you are doing well. i have not heard from you in awhile. i got a message on my cell phone with an old 25th street radio ad – was that you? you did not leave a voice message and did not leave any phone number to call you back.

with regards and best wishes,

robert bob

iluvme72
iluvme72 on August 21, 2004 at 5:16 pm

Jake—I went to Connally, graduated in 1990. Let me know if it was school or just around!

JV2k4
JV2k4 on August 21, 2004 at 4:35 pm

Hey everyone …..Sorry its been awhile.
Things are moving along slowly with the theatre but like the old saying goes ROME WASNT BUILT IN A DAY…..so be patient…
Kenna give me a call…254-723-2227.
Robert Bob…..Mr. Olsens only involvement is letting us take over and get something done, which is more than anyone else has tried to do.
Melanie Kirby…..Didnt we go to school together?

KennaD
KennaD on August 20, 2004 at 4:54 pm

Bob
I have to respect and trust that what you and another person I have spoken to know more about this than most. I trust your opinion is backed with objective, sound evidence that involving his father would not be the way Richard would choose to do this. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone directly involved with this rather covert “revitalization” of the 25th Street Theatre is interested in assistance from any of us. As in most situations involving people like Richard’s father, money talks, I bet he has his price and it’s probably disgustingly cheap.

rej25th
rej25th on August 20, 2004 at 4:11 pm

AGAIN, I APPEAL TO ALL OF YOU, PLEASE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SAVING 25TH IF IT MEANS THAT RICHARD OLSEN’S FATHER IS INVOLVED WITH THE EFFORT. see my message above for further details.

KennaD
KennaD on August 20, 2004 at 11:40 am

Many people have offered their support, we’re just waiting to be called to action. Obviously, this place is near and dear to many people for many reasons. The potential is overwhelming, as well as the undertaking. It is so exciting to hear and see the list of concerned 25 veterans grow. What’s next? big hugs to all..

Kenna