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Welcome back to Bearsville Theater!
Now under new ownership and new management, we are passionate about bringing this famous and historic music venue back to life. Not purely through renovation of the building itself, but welcoming big name acts that have graced the stage over the years, and also celebrating new and local music from different eras and genres!
The Bearsville Theater and the surrounding buildings were part of owner and legendary music manager Albert Grossman’s creative projects in Bearsville. At a time when the recording studios were their busiest, and the Bearsville Record label was at its peak, Bearsville became the hang out and mecca for big name bands and artists of the 1970’s American rock n roll scene. Todd Rundgren, Jesse Winchester, the Band, Paul Butterfield, Foghat and many others recorded sessions at Bearsville. Todd Rundgren was the inspiration for and the owner of the Utopia Soundstage (which is now home to Radio Woodstock 100.1), and the Theater itself has been host to many legendary artists, including, as well as those above: David Crosby, Graham Nash, Judy Collins, Bob Weir, David Bromberg, Dave Matthews, Lindsey Buckingham, The Band, Hot Tuna, The Pretenders, Steve Miller, The Wailers, Allman/Betts Band, Donald Fagen, Tab Benoit, Dixie Dreggs, Phoebe Snow, Blondie, The Black Crowes, Joan Osborne, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Smithereens, Toots and the Maytals, Ricky Lee Jones, Suzanne Vega, Peter Wolf, Blues Traveler, John Sebastian, Martin Sexton, Psychedelic Furs, Felice Brothers, Dar Williams, Conor Oberst, John Hall, Robbie Dupree, Blind Boys of Alabama, Bobcat Goldthwait, Aztec Two Step, Dick Cavett.
Albert never saw the Bearsville Theater finished, nor the artists on the stage, as it was still a work in progress when he suddenly died in 1986. The work was then overseen by Albert’s wdow, Sally Grossman, who alongside theater designer John Storyk and craftsman Paul Cypert, created a stunning building, full of beautiful carpentry, such as the double-helix wooden staircase that is still there today, as well as keeping to the high acoustic standards that the musicians loved about the recording studio. Bearsville Theater finally opened in 1989 with a performance by Happy Traum & Friends, followed by a season from River Arts Repertory, an Actor’s Euqity Company.
Since the purchase by Lizzie Vann on August 30, 2019, the Bearsville Theater has undergone some extensive renovation work. Major structural work was required, including the roof which was beyond repair and had to be replaced, through to major works inside to bring the theater back up to a standard for respected artists and respected guests!
It is our intention that the Bearsville Theater, reignites as a center for Woodstock music for the community and music lovers. It is steeped in so much wonderful history and was built with a real love and passion that we want to respect, so many of the original features have been repaired and are still in place.
We intend to bring fantastic events, exceptional music and well known artists back to Bearsville Theater, and look forward to presenting those over coming months!