Eastown Theatre (Defunct) (Detroit, Michigan)

 theatre, place with historical importance, historical layer / disappeared object

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The Eastown was one of Detroit's great neighborhood theaters. It opened originally in 1930 for the Wisper & Wetsman circuit. It was mainly a movie house, with a grand stage and large orchestra pit, which also hosted many of the finest stage shows in its early years.

Its decor was a mixture of Renaissance styles, including Spanish and Italian with Baroque and Neo-Classial elements as well. The auditorium, which included a balcony, originally sat just under 2500. It was designed by the firm of VJ Waier & Co.

Though the Eastown closed as a movie house during the mid 60s, its second life was just beginning, for which it would be much better known, as one of Detroit's premiere rock venues.

Beginning in 1969, the list of performers on the Eastown's stage reads like a who's-who of rock and roll of that era. Alice Cooper, the Doors, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, Bob Seger, Jethro Tull and the Grateful Dead are just a few of the bands who played here between 1969 and 1973.

In 1973, a failure to meet health/safety codes by the City of Detroit shuttered the theatre. It reopened as a jazz venue in 1975, but that also closed after about a year of operations. In 1980, under the name "Showcase", the theatre began showing adult films until about 1984, when the service closed.

From 1984 up until 1990, Eastown was home to a performing arts group. During the mid-90's, it was the host of raves and also housed a church. Today, Eastown Theatre remains vacant and decaying. Slated for demolition.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4IhYoCZid4
cinematreasures.org/theater/2075/
buildingsofdetroit.com/places/east
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