Catalina Casino Events
4/11/2022 admin
Catalina Island, CA90704
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The History of Catalina Island Exhibition - Permanent Installation From the island’s discovery some 8,000 years ago to William Wrigley’s purchase of the island and the rise of Avalon as Hollywood’s favorite vacation spot, Catalina Island has a history that is rich in events and personalities.
Casino Building, Catalina Island(Official), Avalon Theatre, Catalina Island
- The Catalina Casino takes its name from the Italian definition of casino, which is more along the lines of a house or a gathering place than a gambling hall — which is why there’s actually never been gambling at the Catalina Casino. The iconic twelve-story-high building with its signature circular architecture and tall pillars sits on.
- Step back 80 years to an era when Big Band leaders were king and “talkie” motion pictures were the latest fad. Walk the back halls and dressing areas where world-famous musicians and Hollywood legends prepared for the performances that would make the Catalina Casino one of the most exciting entertainment venues in the country.
Additional Info
Architects:Sumner Maurice Spaulding, Walter I. Webber
Firms:Webber & Spaulding
Styles:Art Deco, Atmospheric, Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Moorish
Phone Numbers: Box Office: 310.510.0179
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News About This Theater
- Jul 12, 2011 — Amazing Images: Avalon and Pantages
A truly classic movie palace, situated in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, just 22 miles off the coast from Los Angeles. The Avalon Theatre opened on May 29, 1929 with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Iron Mask”. It is located in the Casino Building, built by chewing gum magnet William Wrigley Jnr, and is located beneath the Casino Ballroom. The building was never intended for or used as a casino, but for dancing (which in the era of the ‘big bands’ attracted the likes of Benny Goodman - the King of Swing' to play here to 2,000 capacity dancers. The outer lobby of the building has eight ‘Atlantis’ inspired tiled mural panels, the work of John Gabriel Beckman, who decorated the entire Avalon Theatre in an Atmospheric style. There are painted murals on the side-walls depicting a noble savage hunting deer with a bow & arrow, as a few Franciscan monks arrive by galleon surrounded by stylized hillsides. The rear wall has painted murals of birds and monkeys.
Above the rounded proscenium arch is a re-creation of Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”, whilst on the asbestos safety curtain is painted “Flight of Fancy Westward”, depicting a primitive surfer boy riding the crest of a wave, superimposed on a background of the map of the island. The silver leaf ceiling is made to glow in shades of pink and violet by colored lights hidden behind a low wall surrounding the auditorium.
The Avalon Theatre is equipped with a Page 4 manual 16 rank theatre organ, built by the Page Organ Co. of Lima, Ohio. It is still in working order and is played regularly at film performances on weekends only. Films played daily every evening of the week and were a mix of first run and classic silent movies. The complex is still owned by the Wrigley family who keep the building well maintained.
The Avalon Theatre was closed on December 31, 2019 with Dwayne Johnson in “Jumanji:The Next Level”. The Santa Catalina Island Company citing “operating costs are too expensive and hinder their ‘good business strategy’. It will be maintained as a special events facility, occasional screenings of silent movies and for the Catalina Film Festival and will be available to hire. Tours of the Casino Building and the Avalon Theatre will be available. There was an online petition to reopen the building which gained over 5,000 signatures in 4 days.
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Throughout the year, the calendar of events on Catalina overflows with great things to do. There are so many great island events, in fact, that it can be hard to chose which to attend. Here are our Top Ten events on Catalina.
JazzTrax: For two weekends every October, Catalina Island is filled with the cool sounds of smooth jazz. Artists and bands from around the country perform in the Casino Ballroom, attracting jazz fans from near and far.
Catalina Festival of Art: Catalina’s oldest festival is also one of its most popular. For three days every spring, Avalon’s waterfront hosts artists and art from a range of mediums. Whether you are looking for a personal masterpiece or just looking for inspiration, this September weekend is not to be missed.
Fourth of July: In Avalon, Independence Day is the perfect combination of small town patriotism and island style. A flag-waving golf cart parade along Crescent Avenue, a dance in the Casino Ballroom and fireworks over Avalon Harbor are just some of the ways Catalina does the Fourth of July. This is Catalina’s most popular holidays, so make sure to make reservations well in advance.
Taste Around of Avalon: Catalina kicks off Avalon Restaurant Week with the Taste Around of Avalon, an evening featuring cocktails and culinary creations from some of the seaside city’s best dining establishments. Foodies – and those who just like to eat really good food – won’t want to miss this late spring evening of deliciousness. If your dance card is full that night, check out the Avalon Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour, which was inspired by the event and is held throughout the year.
Catalina Triathlon: With its rugged terrain and splendid scenery, the island has become a mecca for endurance athletes. Marathons, 10Ks and a 50 miler are just some of the races and runs on Catalina. For the ultimate challenge, take on fall’s Catalina Island Triathlon, either as an individual or as a team.
Catalina Wine Festival(s): The most infamous event on Catalina started out as fiction. The Catalina Wine Mixer was a luxury event that drove much of the action in the cult comedy Step Brothers. Always referred to with plenty of, shall we say, colorful adjectives, the mixer looked like too much fun not bring to life and the Catalina Island Company did just that. Every September, the mixer takes over Descanso Beach with an array of movie-inspired shenanigans.
If it’s actual wine you’re looking for, you’d be better off attending the Catalina Women’s Forum Wine Festival, also held in September. That event features live music, appetizers and plenty of wine tasting. Speaking of which, Catalina hosts another annual wine festival, this one at the other end of the island. The Summer Wine Festival happens in Two Harbors in early June.
Silent Film Benefit: The Catalina Island Museum is a must-visit attraction on Catalina. With fascinating permanent collections and compelling temporary exhibits, the museum always offers a reason to return. Each May, you can support the museum and take a trip to the past at the Silent Film Benefit. Held in the Avalon Theatre, the benefit features a classic silent film with period dress optional. Can’t make it in May? The museum’s monthly First Fridays evenings offer an opportunity to learn more while being entertained.
Fallfest (and Springfest): Part of the magic of Catalina Island is that it’s not only a resort destination, it’s also a community – and one of the best ways to see that community is at Fallfest and Springfest. Held every, well, fall and spring, these evenings of community fundraising feature live music, game booths, crafts, food and more, all set up along the Avalon waterfront.
Catalina Casino Ballroom Events
Catalina Conservancy Ball: Thanks to the Catalina Conservancy, the island is a wonderland of wild places and untamed spaces – rather than a continuation of the mainland metropolis. Throughout the year, there are plenty of ways to support the Conservancy, ranging from becoming a member to taking an Eco Tour. Every April, you can also support the Conservancy at one of the most iconic buildings in California. The Catalina Conservancy Ball is a black-tie gala in the Casino Ballroom that has raised millions of dollars for the non-profit over the decades of the its existence.
New Year’s Eve: What better way could there be to ring in the New Year than spending it in paradise? And from a black-time gala at the Casino Ballroom to well-lubricated shindigs at the diviest of Catalina dive bars, the island knows how to do New Year’s Eve celebrations. Make your resolutions now – and your reservations.