The Ridglea Theater offers a unique, state of the art venue for live music, special holidays and more. This art movie theater and a beautiful, art-“decoish” landmark is located on the West side of Fort Worth. at 6025 Camp bowie Blvd. It was built in 1948 and opened in 1950.
The design of the theater is similar to the other structures, featuring a Mediterranean style. The theater's front facade is clad in tan stone and features terrazzo flooring in the lobby and public spaces and a mural depicting the arrival of Spanish explorers in America. The marquee of the theater projects outward over the sidewalk and above it is a balcony matching the adjacent Ridglea Village II building. The sign for the theater is located on a tower that not only acts as a sign for the theater, but as a sign for the entire development. The tower is also clad in stone and features a hipped tile roof. After movies quit running here, the building was converted into a dinner theater where patrons could eat dinner and watch a movie at the same time. Currently, the theater houses special events.
The introduction of cinema theater complexes changed the entertainment approach of the people towards the existing theaters. They were no more interested in the old theaters. As a result,The Ridglea was turned into a movie/dinner theater in the early 90’s. However, This change turned out to be failure and later on, it was closed after a couple of unsuccessful years. It remained vacant for almost three years.
In 1998, Richard Van Zandt and Wesley Hathaway played an important role in popularizing this historical theater. They leased the wonderful old building. They had their own majestic ideas.They were actually wanting to see their dream come true by presenting Richard’s innovative and unique LASER light shows. While the shows were marvelous, they didn’t pay the rent and the couple turned the venue into a live concert hall with their first musical performance in 1999.
The success of the Live Shows infused a new life into this great theater and It became the premier concert venue of it’s size in the metroplex if not in the state. While still great supporters of local music and bands, the Ridglea has become a destination for National and International bands as well, hosting such notables as Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse,
Deathcab For Cutie, Type O Negative, Cradle of Filth, Therion, The Cult, Hank Williams III, Ministry, Breaking Benjamin, HIM, Willie Nelson and many, many more.
The Ridglea Theatre has become the most popular place for the Rock lovers.For the sixth year in a row, The Ridglea Theater has won Best Rock Venue from the FW Weekly, readers choice!
With numerous "Best Of" awards, Ridglea Theater is becoming the "go to" spot for national touring artists and events. With a fantastic light show, and 20 foot projection screen as the stage backdrop, this is one of the best places in town to see a live show.
The Ridglea Music Festival is an important event which is going to be held in this great theater in March 2007. The festival will contain four Days of music on Four Indoor Stages, featuring over 100 of the top National, Regional, and Local acts of all different Genres. From Rock to Country, Pop to Jazz, and everything in between and the participants will be able to enjoy their favorites at the Historic Ridglea Theater.
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