photo by: Stephanie Mallard Couch Photography
We at The Metronome Society are so psyched to be performing in a venue with such a colorful and notable history as The Rendezvous/Jewelbox Theater. The eclectic artsy vibe is perfect for the fusion of theatre and live musical soundscape that we are creating.
Since 1927 the Rendezvous has been serving up spirits and entertainment. Its location at 2nd and Bell (the heart of Belltown) was smack dab in the middle of what was called “Film Row”. The four block area of 1st and 2nd Ave between Lenora and Wall was designated as a ‘regional exchange’ where all the major studios (MGM,Paramount,Columbia,RKO..etc) and movie theatre managers went to wheel and deal and screen and buy films for distribution. Originally Film Row was confined to one small area because nitrocellulose film was highly flammable and it became a matter of zoning. The Rendezvous is the lone remaining screening room from that bygone era.
During the prohibition era people congregated in the basement speakeasy section of the Rendezvous, The Grotto, where the liquor flowed freely and the music was blasted without the aid of amplifiers. The current decor harkens back to that time of Art Deco decadence. The moment one goes into the space, they are instantly transported back to the jazz age and instinctually look around to find the bouncer to give the secret password to so as to be let in to the swinging joint and imbibe the night away. The Jewelbox Theatre portion of the Rendezvous (where we are lucky enough to get to perform) carries over that same old-timey ambiance. The atmosphere oozes a visceral sense of history and nostalgia. Like any historic building of character the Rendezvous is said to be haunted by several ghosts. There’s the projectionist who loved his job so much he is said to still be trying to do it in the afterlife. Some say there’s a female ghost whose sweet perfumed scent alerts you to her presence. There’s also encounters with a dark swarthy gentlemen who appears at random and odd times as a dark apparition. It is also rumored that the legendary Jimmy Durante (who was famously busted in the Grotto for playing cards) likes to roam the premises of his favorite Seattle haunt.
The Rendezvous has changed ownership many times since B.F. Shearer opened the doors in 1927 and it has gone through many incarnations. Kudos to the team of Jerry Everard, Jane Kaplan, Tia Matthies, and Steve Freeborn for purchasing it in 2002 and restoring the place to earlier glory. Jane Kaplan: There are so few places in Seattle that provide what the Jewelbox provides. We really try to work with all kinds of performers to help them reach their goals as individual artists. This is why the room is so versatile from being able to show films to music performances, fringe theatre productions to cabaret and comedy. We try to have it all available at a very reasonable rate so that the money never gets in the way of the artist’s ability to create, imagine and experiment. This, we feel, is very important…providing a fully functioning theatre, music venue, film screening room, you name it; creating a comfortable and low-risk, artist friendly space so the performers can concentrate on their craft.(Seattle Burlesque Press 2012) Seattle needs more performance spaces like The Jewelbox theatre.
-Carolynne
Since 1927 the Rendezvous has been serving up spirits and entertainment. Its location at 2nd and Bell (the heart of Belltown) was smack dab in the middle of what was called “Film Row”. The four block area of 1st and 2nd Ave between Lenora and Wall was designated as a ‘regional exchange’ where all the major studios (MGM,Paramount,Columbia,RKO..etc) and movie theatre managers went to wheel and deal and screen and buy films for distribution. Originally Film Row was confined to one small area because nitrocellulose film was highly flammable and it became a matter of zoning. The Rendezvous is the lone remaining screening room from that bygone era.
During the prohibition era people congregated in the basement speakeasy section of the Rendezvous, The Grotto, where the liquor flowed freely and the music was blasted without the aid of amplifiers. The current decor harkens back to that time of Art Deco decadence. The moment one goes into the space, they are instantly transported back to the jazz age and instinctually look around to find the bouncer to give the secret password to so as to be let in to the swinging joint and imbibe the night away. The Jewelbox Theatre portion of the Rendezvous (where we are lucky enough to get to perform) carries over that same old-timey ambiance. The atmosphere oozes a visceral sense of history and nostalgia. Like any historic building of character the Rendezvous is said to be haunted by several ghosts. There’s the projectionist who loved his job so much he is said to still be trying to do it in the afterlife. Some say there’s a female ghost whose sweet perfumed scent alerts you to her presence. There’s also encounters with a dark swarthy gentlemen who appears at random and odd times as a dark apparition. It is also rumored that the legendary Jimmy Durante (who was famously busted in the Grotto for playing cards) likes to roam the premises of his favorite Seattle haunt.
The Rendezvous has changed ownership many times since B.F. Shearer opened the doors in 1927 and it has gone through many incarnations. Kudos to the team of Jerry Everard, Jane Kaplan, Tia Matthies, and Steve Freeborn for purchasing it in 2002 and restoring the place to earlier glory. Jane Kaplan: There are so few places in Seattle that provide what the Jewelbox provides. We really try to work with all kinds of performers to help them reach their goals as individual artists. This is why the room is so versatile from being able to show films to music performances, fringe theatre productions to cabaret and comedy. We try to have it all available at a very reasonable rate so that the money never gets in the way of the artist’s ability to create, imagine and experiment. This, we feel, is very important…providing a fully functioning theatre, music venue, film screening room, you name it; creating a comfortable and low-risk, artist friendly space so the performers can concentrate on their craft.(Seattle Burlesque Press 2012) Seattle needs more performance spaces like The Jewelbox theatre.
-Carolynne
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