At last I found the article that Baylor Journalism student Bryan Smith interviewed me and several others for back in April. He was unsure if any of the information from the interviews would make it into the Baylor newspaper……..Luckily it was.
After reading over the article I did run across a few minor discretions: the address was 1006 N. 25th; construction began in 1944, completing in fall 1945; it reopened Labor Day Weekend, probably on a Thursday (the club operated Thurs-Sat 9pm-???); “The 25th Dimension” actually aired on KCEN-6 (originally on KWKT-44), every Sunday/Monday at 12:30am. But these minor details don’t matter considering the only people who would know that are anal retentive historians like myself. LOL !!!
Anyone thats read the cinematreasures.org/theater/4180 posting that I started is well aware of the ongoing effort involving the Theatre. The building being slated for demolition, and the legal issues still in limbo concerning Richard Olsens estate, is still an ongoing process, that myself and many others are patiently awaiting the outcome. To the best of my knowledge, the process is moving in the direction many of us want. I am not at liberty to offer any other information, at this time.
I would personally like to thank Mr. Bryan Smith for the very well structured and informative article he contributed to the Baylor Lariat. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!
Thanks for continuing to follow, and STAY TUNED!!!
Yes I am still monitoring this board, though not as much as I would like. The condition of the building is still bad, but NOT unfixable….most of the damage is just that the water has taken its toll on the stucco and the Mural that covered the south wall…….The process to get the old girl back to former glory has been slow but is progressing. The legal issues that have plagued it since Richard Olsens death are still being resolved, but have made some headway in recent months. I did manage to locate a photo of the theatre that was taken in June of 1990, the theatre is in great condition at the time….email me and I will send you a jpeg of it. Keep checking back here as I am sure alot/most of you are.
Thanks for being patient as we are all being patient in the Rebirth Of 25th Street!!!
I received an informative email today from a lady and thought I would share it with you.
“Hi – You might be interested to know there is
a very fine painting of the Historic 25th St. Theatre
on display right now at MCC, in Waco. It’s in the front
entrance of the Ball Performing Arts Center with
other paintings exhibited by Art Guild of Central
Texas, being shown for a limited time.
For more information call me, Ellen Foster, 756-0347.”
This Theatre will not be demolished if Myself and several others have anything to do with it. The theatre that needed to be demolished went up in smoke last week, thats the place we should hate, NOT the 25th. We spent the best years of our lives there, and noone can deny that. Now that the Arcadia is gone, ITS O-V-E-R OVER, MOVE ON! Its time to focus all the energy Richard always had on the Rebirth Of The 25th. That was his Baby. Lets make him proud from up above and bring back HIS Theatre back and better than ever. THANK YOU.
I am afraid that this is gonna be a total loss. As a former employee from 92-93(Light Technician), I know that this building was built from wood, brick & stucco. When I saw the roof collapse I knew it was indeed over. Seeing the neon sign on the north end surrounded by flames was intense, especially remembering climbing the latter from the stage to the roof several times. But the roof collapse hit me hardest. Just to think that 13 years ago I was inside that roof helping install and wire the lightshow and now it as well as the rest of the block is gone….forever. GOODBYE ARCADIA!!! YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!
Jeannie I believe Stevie DID infact play there during the 802 when Angus Wynne ran it as a concert venue.
Keisha I was an employee there in 92-93 when it first operated as a nightclub.
OH MY GOD!!! The Arcadia is gone. I always felt this building was cursed ever since my friend & mentor Richard Olsen was murdered in the building November 23, 1993. I guess this fire confirms it.
Now maybe his ghost can rest in peace once and for all.
Sadly this theatre was destroyed by fire today.
Dallas history gone. Big lost for me personally as my friend Richard Olsen once co-owned this venue as a nightclub.
O.K. All you so called 25th Street Theatre Buffs, who can answer these trivia questions and name the songs/artist the verses are from.
What stood where the Theatre now stands before construction began in 1944?
“Walking in a strange light, looking at the walls, The walls are getting higher and I think they’re gonna fall, They’re gonna fall down over me, crush me till I scream……”
What movie played 14 weeks in the summer of 1977?
“If people say I bad then promise you ignore them, my kisses are exclusive, noone can afford them.”
What brand and capacity were the hoist that handled the main light show?
“Brought to you by the United States Air Force.”
What were the dimensions for the dance floor?
“Once I had a vision of you and me and our……”
What was the date the Theatre/ Club closed for good?
“If you need a friend, dont look to a stranger. You know in the end, I’ll always be there…..”
What song received the most airplay and could be defined as “THE SONG OF 25TH STREET”?
What business sat directly behind from the Theatre in 1990?
“And Gillian will meet me like a brother would. I think I remember but it’s twice as good.
Like how cool the rum is from a silver tray”
What song was playing when the tear gas bomb forced evacuation in September 1989?
“But if we should be evicted huh, from our homes, weâ€\ll just move somewhere else and still carry on”
“I think about you lately, More than you will ever know, And if you could just forgive me, You know I’d love you so”
What was the cover charge for minors and adults?
“Turn off the TV, look at a book, Pick up the phone, fix some food, Maybe I’ll sit up all night and day, Waiting for the minute I hear you say”
What were the colors of the curtains, both in front and behind the screen?
“Sodom and Gomarah let the DJ play, cause I’ll only come tomorrow, and here today…..”
Email me for answers, unless you are a 25th Street “know it all”, like myself.
The Hollywood Video is on the opposite end of the block that the theatre was located….. the theatre was located behind what is now Dunlaps (formerly Goldstein-Migel). Sadly this theatre was demolished in summer 2004. The 700 or so red and white theatre seats were salvaged as well as the 2 projectors, and are intended to be reused in another historic Waco Theatre soon facing renovation.
The photo used from Lost Memory was taken around the time you and Richard operated the club….we started out sundays with Retro Dance then later changed the name to Retrocadia……I probably put those letters on the marquee, since Richard had me do it instead of him doing it until I left in March 1993
email addy for more information………
http://www.myspace.com/25thstreettheatre
myspace.com/25thstreettheatre
http://groups.myspace.com/jakendallas
Hello Everyone,
At last I found the article that Baylor Journalism student Bryan Smith interviewed me and several others for back in April. He was unsure if any of the information from the interviews would make it into the Baylor newspaper……..Luckily it was.
After reading over the article I did run across a few minor discretions: the address was 1006 N. 25th; construction began in 1944, completing in fall 1945; it reopened Labor Day Weekend, probably on a Thursday (the club operated Thurs-Sat 9pm-???); “The 25th Dimension” actually aired on KCEN-6 (originally on KWKT-44), every Sunday/Monday at 12:30am. But these minor details don’t matter considering the only people who would know that are anal retentive historians like myself. LOL !!!
Anyone thats read the cinematreasures.org/theater/4180 posting that I started is well aware of the ongoing effort involving the Theatre. The building being slated for demolition, and the legal issues still in limbo concerning Richard Olsens estate, is still an ongoing process, that myself and many others are patiently awaiting the outcome. To the best of my knowledge, the process is moving in the direction many of us want. I am not at liberty to offer any other information, at this time.
I would personally like to thank Mr. Bryan Smith for the very well structured and informative article he contributed to the Baylor Lariat. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!
Thanks for continuing to follow, and STAY TUNED!!!
Jake Vanek
APRIL 20, 2007 ARTICLE WRITEN BY BRYAN SMITH ABOUT THE THEATRE
View link
Yes I am still monitoring this board, though not as much as I would like. The condition of the building is still bad, but NOT unfixable….most of the damage is just that the water has taken its toll on the stucco and the Mural that covered the south wall…….The process to get the old girl back to former glory has been slow but is progressing. The legal issues that have plagued it since Richard Olsens death are still being resolved, but have made some headway in recent months. I did manage to locate a photo of the theatre that was taken in June of 1990, the theatre is in great condition at the time….email me and I will send you a jpeg of it. Keep checking back here as I am sure alot/most of you are.
Thanks for being patient as we are all being patient in the Rebirth Of 25th Street!!!
Jake Vanek
Folks here is a picture I found online of the Theatre in 1990, June to be exact.
View link
I received an informative email today from a lady and thought I would share it with you.
“Hi – You might be interested to know there is
a very fine painting of the Historic 25th St. Theatre
on display right now at MCC, in Waco. It’s in the front
entrance of the Ball Performing Arts Center with
other paintings exhibited by Art Guild of Central
Texas, being shown for a limited time.
For more information call me, Ellen Foster, 756-0347.”
Who was the man you spoke to? Steve Kahn or Andy Krumm? Those are 2 jerks I know that owned it.
This Theatre will not be demolished if Myself and several others have anything to do with it. The theatre that needed to be demolished went up in smoke last week, thats the place we should hate, NOT the 25th. We spent the best years of our lives there, and noone can deny that. Now that the Arcadia is gone, ITS O-V-E-R OVER, MOVE ON! Its time to focus all the energy Richard always had on the Rebirth Of The 25th. That was his Baby. Lets make him proud from up above and bring back HIS Theatre back and better than ever. THANK YOU.
I am afraid that this is gonna be a total loss. As a former employee from 92-93(Light Technician), I know that this building was built from wood, brick & stucco. When I saw the roof collapse I knew it was indeed over. Seeing the neon sign on the north end surrounded by flames was intense, especially remembering climbing the latter from the stage to the roof several times. But the roof collapse hit me hardest. Just to think that 13 years ago I was inside that roof helping install and wire the lightshow and now it as well as the rest of the block is gone….forever. GOODBYE ARCADIA!!! YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!
sorry, that was a type-o I meant the 80’s.
Angus I believe is related to Shannon Wynne, Dallas restauranteur.
Jeannie I believe Stevie DID infact play there during the 802 when Angus Wynne ran it as a concert venue.
Keisha I was an employee there in 92-93 when it first operated as a nightclub.
email me at or call me 303-587-6877
NEWS FROM DALLAS………At 4pm a fire destroyed the historic ARCADIA Theatre in Dallas.
OH MY GOD!!! The Arcadia is gone. I always felt this building was cursed ever since my friend & mentor Richard Olsen was murdered in the building November 23, 1993. I guess this fire confirms it.
Now maybe his ghost can rest in peace once and for all.
Sadly this theatre was destroyed by fire today.
Dallas history gone. Big lost for me personally as my friend Richard Olsen once co-owned this venue as a nightclub.
O.K. All you so called 25th Street Theatre Buffs, who can answer these trivia questions and name the songs/artist the verses are from.
What stood where the Theatre now stands before construction began in 1944?
“Walking in a strange light, looking at the walls, The walls are getting higher and I think they’re gonna fall, They’re gonna fall down over me, crush me till I scream……”
What movie played 14 weeks in the summer of 1977?
“If people say I bad then promise you ignore them, my kisses are exclusive, noone can afford them.”
What brand and capacity were the hoist that handled the main light show?
“Brought to you by the United States Air Force.”
What were the dimensions for the dance floor?
“Once I had a vision of you and me and our……”
What was the date the Theatre/ Club closed for good?
“If you need a friend, dont look to a stranger. You know in the end, I’ll always be there…..”
What song received the most airplay and could be defined as “THE SONG OF 25TH STREET”?
What business sat directly behind from the Theatre in 1990?
“And Gillian will meet me like a brother would. I think I remember but it’s twice as good.
Like how cool the rum is from a silver tray”
What song was playing when the tear gas bomb forced evacuation in September 1989?
“But if we should be evicted huh, from our homes, weâ€\ll just move somewhere else and still carry on”
“I think about you lately, More than you will ever know, And if you could just forgive me, You know I’d love you so”
What was the cover charge for minors and adults?
“Turn off the TV, look at a book, Pick up the phone, fix some food, Maybe I’ll sit up all night and day, Waiting for the minute I hear you say”
What were the colors of the curtains, both in front and behind the screen?
“Sodom and Gomarah let the DJ play, cause I’ll only come tomorrow, and here today…..”
Email me for answers, unless you are a 25th Street “know it all”, like myself.
CHEERS!!!!
http://cinematreasures.org/news/11713_0_1_0_C
Does anyone have any interior photos? Either as a theatre or as a club?
Jennifer,
I would love to see those pics. Could you email them to me?
The Hollywood Video is on the opposite end of the block that the theatre was located….. the theatre was located behind what is now Dunlaps (formerly Goldstein-Migel). Sadly this theatre was demolished in summer 2004. The 700 or so red and white theatre seats were salvaged as well as the 2 projectors, and are intended to be reused in another historic Waco Theatre soon facing renovation.
The photo used from Lost Memory was taken around the time you and Richard operated the club….we started out sundays with Retro Dance then later changed the name to Retrocadia……I probably put those letters on the marquee, since Richard had me do it instead of him doing it until I left in March 1993
Trust me….when the time comes I will definitly let you know….until then I have to keep things low profile.