Kristian Knutsen
The Majestic Theatre's marquee stands bare -- excepting "For Sale" signs -- as the New Year begins.
The long-embattled and controversial Majestic Theatre dance club and concert venue on King Street in downtown Madison is shutting down most of its operations, continuing only with a skeleton operation as a bar for one day per week. The Majestic's marquee is already bare, and most concerts scheduled there have been rebooked for other venues. Even the old Majestic Theatre website (www.clubmajestic.net) is defunct, the domain having expired late in 2006.
"We were informed last week by Majestic management that they were no longer going to host live music anymore," says David Maynard, a promoter with Frank Productions. "We were also told they were just going to stay open one day a week as a tavern."
Frank Productions has been booking shows in the theater since it shed its role as a dance club last September, when the City of Madison placed capacity restrictions on the club's alcohol license, effectively prohibiting the club from programming DJs.
Owned by Nick and Jim Schiavo, the club has been at the center of arguments, rumors and rancor surrounding safety in downtown Madison, particularly following a string of high-profile violent confrontations outside its doors on King Street over the summer of 2006. By autumn, the Schiavos placed the club up for sale. It remains on the market for $1.6 million and they say there has been some interest.
At the same time the Schiavos decided to reduce the Majestic to minimal operation as a tavern, they also announced their plans for a new restaurant to be located at the site of the old La Paella in Fitchburg. It will resemble Cafà Continental on King Street, but in a much larger space, and will be called The Continental.
Maynard announced the concert rescheduling and cancellations on Tuesday afternoon. "I wanted to make sure I had notified the agents and found places for the shows before I released it so that nobody panics," he says. With the removal of the Majestic from the city's live music venue pool, Maynard says Frank Productions will be looking closer at venues like the Orpheum Stage Door, where most of the rescheduled shows will be held.
The following shows originally scheduled for the Majestic have been moved or canceled, as reported by Maynard:
Melissa Ferrick, with special guest Bitch and the Exciting Conclusion
Tuesday, January 30
Stage Door Theatre @ The Orpheum (moved from The Majestic)
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $19
Matt Wertz, with The Alternate Routes & Jon McLaughlin
Friday, February 2
Stage Door Theatre @ The Orpheum (moved from The Majestic)
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $13
Glen Phillips, with special guest Craig Cardiff
Friday, February 16
Stage Door Theatre @ The Orpheum (moved from The Majestic)
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $21 Adults, $16 Students
Brett Dennen With special guests Tom Freund & Mike Droho
Monday, February 26
Stage Door Theatre @ The Orpheum (moved from The Majestic)
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7
!!!! Cancelled -- Refunds at place of purchase!!!!
Marty Stuart
Saturday, February 17
Majestic Theatre
8:00 p.m.
The Daily Page was unable to reach the club's owners for details and comment despite repeated requests.
