Civic Auditorium Arena and Music Hall

AZCorey · Post by **AZCorey** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 5:53 pm

Does anyone on here have any interior shots of the old civic auditorium and music hall?? I have not been in the building since they remodeled the outside and some of the inside years ago and was just wondering if there were any photos available....thanks!!

OmahaMan25 · Post by **OmahaMan25** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 11:52 pm

Speaking of old Omaha Arena pics, anyone have any of Ak-sar-ben. Last time I was in the arena was pry 8 years ago and now that its gone I really don't remember what it lookes like.

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 1:32 am

For the Music Hall there is

found at http://www.jonesphillips.com/Prtfolio/Jobpgs/Rearts.htm

at http://www.historicomaha.com

For AkSarBen try:
http://www.historicomaha.com/aksarben.htm
where you can see pics like:

AZCorey · Post by **AZCorey** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 4:16 pm

Thanks for those pics....hopefully there's more out there. I guess now I have another question, if the music hall has been renovated (which it looks nice!), what is the seating capacity for it?? How does it 'compete' with the Orpheum and the upcoming Holland PAC?? Will they all three be used frequently?? Are there any events still being held in the music hall??

Thanks for your time...

AZCorey

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:13 pm

Check out ticketmaster... there are events going on at all these venues all the time (many of which aren't handled by ticketmaster).

As the Performing Arts Society asserted... the Holland Performing Arts Center is just as important in freeing up the Orpheum for other events which would have otherwise not been accomodated... as it is in providing a new world class venue for the symphony and other performing arts.

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:19 pm

FWI
The Omaha Performing Arts Society runs the Orpheum and will run the Holland:
http://www.omahaperformingarts.org/

for tickets :
http://www.omahaperformingarts.org/te_ticketomaha.asp

MECA just took over control of the Civic Center and Hall
http://www.omahameca.com/default.htm

AZCorey · Post by **AZCorey** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:23 pm

yeah....NONE of those websites give the seating capacity of the old music hall, though. I wasn't aware that the renovation of it was as nice as it was....(at least what I can tell from the pic above). So, in actuality, there will be 3 major venues downtown for theater/live events, the Holland, the Orpheum and the music hall....as well as both arenas?? Anyone know the capacity also for the old civic arena??

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:25 pm

I think the Civic holds 10,000 for concerts and 9800 for basketball

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:28 pm

I think the Music Hall, Holland Center, and Orpheum are all in the 2,000 range.

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 5:34 pm

http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/parks/auditorium/main.htm
Since 1956, the Civic Auditorium has been the entertainment place of choice for millions of Omahans’. As a result of its 1995 Renovation, the Civic is ready to entertain another generation of visitors
Actually, this building is comprised of four separate spaces. The Arena is ideal for sports events and concerts. It’s also equipped with ice making capabilities. Quality seating for 9,300 is available for basketball; 8,300 for hockey and 11,000 can attend a concert.
The Civic’s Music Hall is a “black box” theater offering performance space for concerts, meeting and events. It seats 2,257. The Mancuso Hall is utilized for trade shows, dinners, concerts and meetings. There is 25,000 sq. ft. available. The Exhibit Hall offers 65,000 sq. ft of flat space and is usually used for trade shows.
The Parks and Recreation Department contracts with MECA to book the Civic. Call them at 341-1500 for information.

....
The Orpheum seats 2759

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 8:11 pm

Am I missing anything? (over 250 seats)

Holland Performing Arts Center
Concert Hall: 2,000
Recital Hall: 450

Lied Education Center for the Arts (Creighton): 350

Orpheum Theatre: 2600

Omaha Community Playhouse: 600
Howard Drew Theatre: 250

Omaha Music Hall: 2,200

Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center: 900

Southwest Iowa Performing Arts Center (Iowa Western): 650

Strauss Performing Arts Center (UNO): 500

heineken · Post by **heineken** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 8:28 pm

Inside the Joslyn is a hall that holds roughly 1,200. Conner Oberst played there last year. I forget the name of it.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 8:33 pm

You're referring to the Witherspoon Concert Hall... are you sure about that? I didn't think it was that large. I haven't been able to find any numbers on it though.

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 8:42 pm

Witherspoon max holds 1000-1300, I saw Doc Severinson there as a kid.
When I had an early December graduation from Creighton
it was held there - saying it held 900 capacity...

Digz (formerly McCormack's) - Cap: 600 inside/3000 outside.
Ranch Bowl - Cap: 600
Sokol Hall/Undergrouand?
What about John Beasley Theater?

Bellevue Little Theater
Blue Barn Theatre
Brigit Saint Brigit Theater Company
Chanticleer Theater
Circle Theatre
Dundee Dinner Theatre
Grande Olde Players
Ralston Community Theater

and then the churches that hold concerts?

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 9:59 pm

I was focusing primarily on performing arts venues with fixed seating.

I didn't realize the Witherspoon Concert Hall was that large though.

heineken · Post by **heineken** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:17 am

When I was there, I was curious about the capacity. So I asked one of the ushers how much seating the place had. She told me 1,206 seats.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 9:18 am

I really find that surprising... I mean it looks so relatively narrow and confined. But I guess I'll go with 1,200 then.

Well... that's pretty impressive then... all these venues we have (or are coming soon!).

Holland Performing Arts Center
Concert Hall: 2,000
Recital Hall: 450

Lied Education Center for the Arts (Creighton): 350

Orpheum Theatre: 2600

Omaha Community Playhouse
Main Theatre: 600
Howard Drew Theatre: 250

Omaha Music Hall: 2,200

Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center: 900

Southwest Iowa Performing Arts Center (Iowa Western): 650

Strauss Performing Arts Center (UNO): 500

Witherspoon Concert Hall (Joslyn): 1,200