Orpheum Theatre

The Historic Orpheum theatre in downtown Minneapolis is a fine place to see a concert, play, or other type of show. This theatre was built in the early 1920's and it's elegance and grandeur has been restored. Back in the early 1980's, previous owners had modernized, and slightly destroyed the place by draping or painting over grand, guilded beautiful architecture. In the 1990's it was restored to it's beautiful old glory. The place is huge; it seats 2400 people, with it's main floor and balcony seating. When you walk into the huge theatre and get a glimpse of its guilded ceiling and huge chandeliers, you will feel like you are taking a step back into the old vaudeville days of 1930. more

I had the good fortune of seeing the Cocteau Twins play here in the early 90's. The Orpheum (as befitting its name) has always had a distinctly Victorian Gothic quality to it-so it was the perfect backdrop for the haunting, ambient goth music of the Cocteau Twins. Soon after, the theatre went through a massive renovation , so the tattered velvet, and worn carpet I remember is now long gone. Today, the theatre hosts just as many Broadway Theatre shows as rock acts. Thankfully, the restoration was a success, and has only enhanced the theatres historic appeal. Prominent alternative acts such as the White Stripes still choose to play in the intimate 2,600 seat space, rather than higher revenue generating venues such as the Target or Xcel centers. more