Columnist Spencer Patterson: ‘Creepy’ Huntridge Theatre due for some modern love

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Oct. 3, 2003 | 8:52 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-2309.

The historic Huntridge Theatre officially turns into a haunted house for three weeks beginning Oct. 10.

But for owner Eli Mizrachi, the place can be plenty scary in its everyday state.

"This place is creepy enough without being haunted," Mizrachi said. "There's a lot of stories that we've heard about this place, and me being here after hours, I definitely believe them.

"(I've heard) some noises, people walking behind you, looking around and nobody's there. And lights turning on and off with nobody being in the room."

Late this year or early in 2004, Mizrachi intends to modernize the 59-year-old Las Vegas venue with a major remodeling project he predicts will last four to six months.

The undertaking, still in the planning stages, will push the Huntridge's parameters into adjoining Cima's Furniture, a store owned by the Mizrachi family. A second room for small shows, a restaurant and an expanded bar area with video poker stations are all on the agenda.

Huntridge regulars will also be happy to know the Huntridge's redesign will include new bathrooms and an improved sound system, says its 31-year-old owner.

"We're doing it all for the concert-goer," Mizrachi said. "This is definitely a new beginning. We'll have a soiree, a farewell show, and then we'll shut the doors and give this place a face-lift to make it more user-friendly."

Mizrachi's family purchased the Huntridge in January 2002 and reopened its doors last November, allaying fears the landmark would no longer host live entertainment.

Since then, Mizrachi has been on site for roughly 130 concerts, and reports that business is steadily improving.

"It's a cool place, and I haven't bounced any checks yet," Mizrachi said.

The Huntridge has been home to several sold-out shows since its rebirth, drawing crowds of around 1,200 for A.F.I., the Used, the Donnas and Finch, among others. Local acts have also regularly rotated through the venue's concert calendar.

Mizrachi said booking agent Tom Anderson will continue to stage national and local shows at other facilities around town, such as Live and the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, during the Huntridge's downtime.

The Huntridge will serve as a haunted house from Oct. 10 through Oct. 31, then will resume its concert schedule. Mizrachi said work will likely begin around the first of the year, though it could start within a month before or after that time frame.

Music notes

Buzzworthy: College rock "It" bands Rooney and the Sounds played the Huntridge Monday night. But it was the third act on the bill, Paloalto, that proved itself worthy of a considerable buzz of its own.

The Los Angeles-based quartet opened the show with a strong set of material drawn mainly from its second CD, "Heroes and Villains." The band's sound is something akin to recent U2, with a bit of guitar distortion mixed in.

The synth-happy Sounds seemed disappointed when the crowd of around 200 failed to respond to its danceably fun brand of indie pop. Regardless, it really wasn't necessary for singer Maja Ivarsson to rain a barrage of F-bombs down on an audience that included a few dozen middle school-aged kids near the front of the stage.

Headliner Rooney was easy to listen to, but didn't do anything particularly specular to warrant its recent acclaim. The band's music was heavier live than on its psychedelically poppy self-titled debut album, but not necessarily any better.

Fade to black: Tickets to Metallica's New Year's Eve concert at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel sold out in approximately 20 minutes last Saturday, according to Hard Rock box office manager Tex Dike. Guess those $300 and $500 ticket prices didn't scare anyone off after all.

Quick hits

A look at a few shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

Heavy metal veterans Great White bring their benefit tour to Las Vegas this weekend, six months after a fire at the band's Rhode Island concert killed 100 fans and injured more than 200 others.

Proceeds from Sunday's show at Live, 5150 Spring Mountain Road, will go to the Station Family Fund, set up to aid victims and their families. Tickets are $15 at the door for the show, a late addition to the club's calendar. Doors open at 7 p.m. Pretty Boy Floyd opens.

Attention moshers! A slew of heavy rock up-and-comers are headed to town for a trio of all-age shows over the next week.

On Saturday, it's the "Playstation2 Road to Voodoo Tour" at the House of Blues, featuring Fuel, Smile Empty Soul and DJ Swamp. Tickets are $15 and $17.50, with doors slated to open at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday night the "Take Action Tour" brings Poison the Well, Shadows Fall, Avenged Sevenfold, Throwdown and This Day Forward to the House of Blues. Tickets are $18, with proceeds going to the National Hopeline Network (1-800-SUICIDE). Doors open at 5 p.m.

And on Wednesday, the Huntridge hosts a bill that includes From Autumn to Ashes, Cave In and Every Time I Die. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the show. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band closes out the 2003 Moonlight Concert series Saturday night at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater. The veteran New Orleans brass band has performed to audiences since 1975 and released one of its occasional studio efforts, "Medicated Magic," last year.

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the show. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

On sale

George Strait plays the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Jan. 31. Tickets are $50, $75 and $95, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the MGM Grand box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at TicketMaster.com

Seal comes ashore at the Palms' Rain in the Desert on Nov. 16. Tickets are $65 and $125 and were to go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the Palms' box office and through TicketMaster.

The Brian Setzer Orchestra performs at The Joint on Dec. 18. Tickets are $55.50 and $80 and go on sale at 1 p.m. Saturday through the Hard Rock box office and TicketMaster. Prices have yet to be announced.

Jonny Lang and Jason Mraz team for a Nov. 5 show at The Joint. Tickets are $43 and go on sale at noon Saturday through the Hard Rock box office and TicketMaster.

Alejandro Guzman plays the House of Blues on Oct. 23. Tickets are $35 and $45 and are on sale at the House of Blues box office, by phone at 632-7600, online at www.hob.com and through TicketMaster.

Monty Python's Eric Idle brings his "Greedy Bastard Tour" to the House of Blues on Dec. 14. Tickets are $27, $37 and $47 and go on sale at noon Saturday through the House of Blues and TicketMaster.