Criterion Concert Hall

[bluedogok]

I guess if all the highly revered architecture critics on here don't like they should just abandon the project......

The layout reminds me of the renovated Austin Music Hall. Yes, they could add some more detail but unless someone wants to throw about $10 million into the project it is never going to look like one of those old theaters, they just don't build those anymore. You add that kind of money to a project it also tends to stress the business model and could lead to closure. I would rather have a good building with great acoustics than a pretty building that sounds like crap, sound quality is the main goal and this size of room has been one of the major holes in the OKC music scene. A lot of those old theaters have bad acoustics for rock, I saw Dream Theater a few months ago here in Denver at The Paramount Theater (beautiful space) and the sound was horrible, their sound was better other times that I have seen them and when I saw them at The Roxy (old Quicksilvers at NW 10th & MacArthur) in 1994 which was not known for its acoustics.

[soonerguru]

I remember when Alice In Chains toured last year they played two shows in Oklahoma: Brady Theatre and Winstar. Hopefully this venue will redirect some shows from the casinos surrounding OKC into the center of OKC.

We can hope. But the Wormy Dog does not host an ambitious club calendar.

[ljbab728]

The image in the Oklahoman must be an old one. Shows the entrance on the east end of the building.

The plans submitted to design review show it on the west end, both in the renderings and floor plans.

When the Design Review Process Works | News OK

[progressiveboy]

Personally, I like the name. It pays homage to the old downtown theatre, and the name has a old feel sound, but with a modern twist! The name is not going to affect anything! This will be great for BT and OKC collectively!

[Edgar]

What should it be? Is it just the name not gelling with the design that is bothersome?

IMO, it's what inside that counts on this, as long as there is brick to match the aesthetic. You can't really tell what the inside will be from these renderings, though. I actually went to the Brady for the first time this week and it's a dump. It won't take much effort for this to be nicer and people seem to like the Brady around here, so how bad can it be?

Maybe I'm just too excited of the idea of having a theater venue of this size (basically in the sweet spot for theater tours, which makes up the bulk of larger acts these days) to get too down on it. I'd always welcome more ornate design, but what's a good example of recent concert theater construction in a stand alone building that has impressive design that wasn't publicly funded?

With the BEC renovations and this, no one could complain about venue assets anymore. It'd just be up to finding a competent promoter to work the market.

The Brady a dump!? You poor artless soul.

[Edgar]

Thanks for talking me down. Hopefully we will have great promoters to attract a ton of decent acts. It sure beats Diamond Ballroom.

Great points, Pete.

They've made some good improvements to the Diamond but it's just too small to handle the amperage of the acts their booking liker the Gov't Mule show. Too much sound for the room.

[Edgar]

I would like to see electronic screens or at least artwork painted onto this building. It might be a little plain jane but that can easily be fixed with minimal effort.

I hope this venue is promoted well and that it can help steal some of the big name shows from Tulsa.

Tulsa sells more tickets, that's why they get the shows.

[bluedogok]

The Brady a dump!? You poor artless soul.

As a building by itself, it could be considered a dump but with its history and feel it is a great room.

Tulsa sells more tickets, that's why they get the shows.

....and part of that is they have had the rooms that are the sweet spots in current tours and OKC hasn't had them. Back in the age of arena shows coming through all the time OKC outdrew Tulsa but both were good markets.

[Bullbear]

The Brady is historic yes. but is not well maintained in my opinion and is not very comforatable for seeing a show. a good reno would do it some good.
this theater will be a good size and fit for OKC we don't have anything that fits that demographic and with a new structure hopefully it is well designed in the interior and will be a great place to see shows of that size. A lot of show just don't fit well in the diamond as it was stated too much sound for the room and the ceiling is just a bit low to accomdate any show with any sort of "Set".

[bchris02]

Tulsa sells more tickets, that's why they get the shows.

Really? Could it be that Tulsa has two music venues suitable for big-name, mid-tier acts and OKC doesn't have any unless you count the Diamond? It would be interesting to see how much of Tulsa's concert sales are from people who live in OKC. OKC residents have no qualms of driving to Tulsa to see a show.

[BDP]

The Brady a dump!? You poor artless soul.

Yeah, petty much. At least relative to most theaters of its size. I was expecting much more character and charm. It's a fine place to see a show, but let's not make it out to be something it's not.

[Plutonic Panda]

The Brady a dump!? You poor artless soul.

Tulsa has some nice theaters man, but they do not live up to the hype. Mainly the hype that is spread around by people in OKC and Tulsa. Brought a friend in from KC and to put it nicely, he was not impressed. By the Brady District or the Blue Dome district, and the theaters they had. They're ok and better than what is currently in OKC, but I'd be careful about calling people artless souls who have higher standards that what Tulsa offers.

[Plutonic Panda]

Tulsa sells more tickets, that's why they get the shows.

Come back in 10 years and say that. Hell, I'll even say five.

[mugofbeer]

Interior of the Criterion & Midwest Theaters - OKC

Lived the days of the old Criterion & Midwest Theaters; they just don't make the cathedral façade and stucco deco theaters like this anymore.

Fast forward, the proposed Criterion Concert Hall will be a nice venue that will give us more options than what's atop of the Farmer's Public Market. The 4,200 seats will allow more capacity flexibility than Civic Center Music Hall or the Bricktown Events Center.

Almost makes me sick to think these were torn down. I remember them as a kid but I sure didn't appreciate them as I would today.

[Plutonic Panda]

Almost makes me sick to think these were torn down. I remember them as a kid but I sure didn't appreciate them as I would today.

I don't remember them at all and I'm in disbelief that these beauties were raped and butchered.

[Urbanized]

Yeah, petty much. At least relative to most theaters of its size. I was expecting much more character and charm. It's a fine place to see a show, but let's not make it out to be something it's not.

Exactly. Great bones, great history (well, except for the pesky race riot connection), great sound, sigh lines and shows. But it's a dank, drafty barn if we're going to be honest. Cain's has much better aesthetics and character. Go to a place like the Chicago Theater or Kansas City's Uptown and then try with a straight face to represent the Brady as some sort of palace. It's not. I love it, but mostly only because of the shows it scores.

[Edgar]

Yeah, petty much. At least relative to most theaters of its size. I was expecting much more character and charm. It's a fine place to see a show, but let's not make it out to be something it's not.

Beholding with these eyes, the Brady is chock full of charm. Sure no self flushing toilets but come on.

[Edgar]

Come back in 10 years and say that. Hell, I'll even say five.

I'd love that, but call me a skeptic until it happens. Half as many folks at the Diamond for Gov't Mule as at a Cains show. Maybe that's the venue or the location of the Diamond, but facts is.

[bchris02]

I'd love that, but call me a skeptic until it happens. Half as many folks at the Diamond for Gov't Mule as at a Cains show. Maybe that's the venue or the location of the Diamond, but facts is.

The Diamond is a very low-quality venue in a terrible location. A lot of people in OKC would actually rather drive to Tulsa to see a show at Cains than go to the Diamond. Things will change once there is a real venue in downtown OKC.

My only concern is that I hope it is promoted well and brings in the big shows and doesn't just steal red dirt acts from the casinos.

[Pete]

If the crowd is half the size at the Diamond vs. the Brady, I see that as a point in OKC's favor considering the difference in the two venues.

[Urbanized]

Brady has the aesthetics of a sale barn at a stockyards. Other than the aforementioned sight lines, acoustics, etc., it has little in common with the ornate palaces that grace a number of U.S. cities. And yet I'd give my eye teeth to have it here in OKC. Great place to see a show, and great shows are there all of the time. But Cain's is the venue long on charm in T-town.

[Edgar]

The Diamond is a very low-quality venue in a terrible location. A lot of people in OKC would actually rather drive to Tulsa to see a show at Cains than go to the Diamond. Things will change once there is a real venue in downtown OKC.

My only concern is that I hope it is promoted well and brings in the big shows and doesn't just steal red dirt acts from the casinos.

Yeah I'm the same if it's not a work night, always love an opportunity for a show at Cains.
If the Wormy is promoting the place expect a heavy dose of Red Dirt. Not a hater but it's rather thick around here. By far the best promoter in Central Ok is Innervisions, formerly of the Zoo now DT Airpark.

[Edgar]

Brady has the aesthetics of a sale barn at a stockyards. Other than the aforementioned sight lines, acoustics, etc., it has little in common with the ornate palaces that grace a number of U.S. cities. And yet I'd give my eye teeth to have it here in OKC. Great place to see a show, and great shows are there all of the time. But Cain's is the venue long on charm in T-town.

True it's not the Beacon in NYC but it certainly has charm and aesthetics. Take a little time and really look around next time. It's most definatly cool.

[Edgar]

If the crowd is half the size at the Diamond vs. the Brady, I see that as a point in OKC's favor considering the difference in the two venues.

The Mule plays at Cains, not Brady.

[Urbanized]

True it's not the Beacon in NYC but it certainly has charm and aesthetics. Take a little time and really look around next time. It's most definatly cool.

I've seen dozens of shows there and guarantee that I look around and soak in old buildings more than 99% of the people in the room. I know pretty much every public nook and cranny of the place. I'm not dogging it, I'm just saying that it's nowhere in the same class as even the Orpheum Theater in Wichita. There is a reason why there are few interior photos online that aren't stage shots during a show.

And yet, it kills the Orpheum on bookings, so I'll take The Brady. A place doesn't have to be a palace to get great shows.