Kalamazoo State Theatre

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404 South Burdick
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Neighborhood: Central Business District

BUY TICKETS FROM THE SOURCE! You can buy tickets to Kalamazoo State Theatre events online at Ticketmaster.com bit.ly/2A09LYH or in person at the State ... read more

Nov 17	7:00 PM	An Evening With David Sedaris	Find Tickets
Nov 20	7:00 PM	Nick Offerman: All Rise at the Kalamazoo State Theatre (Early Showing)	Find Tickets
Nov 20	9:30 PM	Nick Offerman: All Rise at the Kalamazoo State Theatre (Second Showing)	Find Tickets
Nov 23	3:00 PM	Warren Miller "timeless" Matinee	Find Tickets
Nov 23	8:00 PM	Warren Miller "Timeless"	Find Tickets
Nov 29	12:59 PM	Greensky Bluegrass with Michigan Rattlers 2 Day Pass Tickets (November 29-30)	Find Tickets
Nov 29	8:00 PM	Greensky Bluegrass with The Michigan Rattlers	Find Tickets
Nov 29	8:00 PM	Greensky Bluegrass Friday Event	Find Tickets

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Description

BUY TICKETS FROM THE SOURCE! You can buy tickets to Kalamazoo State Theatre events online at Ticketmaster.com bit.ly/2A09LYH or in person at the State Theatre box office.

The State Theatre has been a fixture in downtown Kalamazoo since 1927. The original founder of the theatre was Colonel William Butterfield. John Eberson was the renowned architect who designed the theatre. In line with theatre design conventions of the era, the idea was to create a unique atmospheric effect. The early roots of the theatre were found in the Vaudevillian tradition of performance. Many acts that frequented the State Theatre included opera, dramas, big bands, ballet, dance reviews, stage shows and movies.

The State Theatre was renovated in 1964. These renovations included the removal of the original theatre sign which was beginning to deteriorate with age. It was replaced with a new marquee that is located above what used to be the original box office. These renovations changed some of the original ornate look and feel of the theatre, but enabled it to continue operating until 1982.

The State Theatre was closed by W.S. Butterfield Theatre Inc. that same year. The closing of such a historic part of Kalamazoo began to mobilize community members. Local arts groups and city officials formed the “Save the State” committee in an effort to preserve the theatre’s legacy along with the building. The solution came when the building was purchased in 1985 by the Hinman Company. The purchase bought about further renovation and worked to preserve a part of Kalamazoo’s history.