![]() Some of the other earlier performances the Bijou hosted included the Marx Brothers and Dizzy Gillespie. The Bijou’s first ever performance was Little Johnny Jones starring George M. The Bijou offers many various types of musical performances, including local jazz ensembles, choral and instrumental groups, opera productions, local musical theatre, acoustic groups, rock groups, and more. By 2005, the building was in danger of defaulting on its mortgage, but was once again saved by local businessmen, and the theatre now strives to stay alive and “set the stage” for 100 more years. Instead, the theatre was simply renovated, and then again 20 years later. However, a group of dedicated Knoxville civilians set up a successful campaign and saved the building from being destroyed. By 1974, the building had been threatened with being completely demolished. Over the next few years, the Bijou featured performances in Opera, comedy, and vaudeville. In 1909, the farthest back wing was turned into a theatre area, and the hotel was renamed the Bijou Theatre. Presidents including Jackson, Grant, and Hayes. During the Civil War, the hotel/theatre was occupied by Union Troops. It was operated under numerous different names, but the most commonly known one is the Lamar House. It was originally designed as a tavern and hotel. The Bijou Theatre was originally built in 1818 by Thomas Humes. The Bijou Theatre went through a major renovation began in 2005.Though the Bijou reached the 100 year milestone just last year, it went through much more to get to that point. Today the Bijou Theatre is largely intact and is a popular venue for small stage shows, acoustic concerts and small bands. The theatre was then threatened with demolition. ![]() It operated as an adult theatre until 1975. It went over to adult films on Apand was renamed Bijou Art Theatre on September 8, 1966. Over the years, the Bijou Theatre lost its small vertical sign and marquee and the tiny boxoffice is long gone. Motion picture projection equipment no longer exists at the Bijou Theatre, though the projection booth which was wedged in between the two balconies still exists and is used as a follow spot location. Old photos suggest a pit-organ or photo-player was used to accompany pictures in the silent era. The Bijou Theatre never had a theatre organ. ![]() The Knoxville Chamber Orchestra performs regularly in the intimate hall. The hall has a brick exterior, but the interior is completely wood and plaster. The ceiling is mostly flat with restrained moldings at the walls. The boxes are flanked by large Corinthian columns supporting cherubs leaning on broken pediments. The upper boxes have their own stairways and do not connect with the balconies. The auditorium features three tiers of boxes on each side of the proscenium, with the orchestra boxes still in place. The lower balcony is attained from stairs at the ends of the standee area. At this time, though large, the upper balcony is only used for technical equipment as emergency egress is quite limited. The Bijou Theatre has two separate balconies: the upper dating from the regrettable era of segregation was accessible only from a side street. The theatre was designed by architect Edward Okel. ![]() The 1909 auditorium was built behind the Lamar House Hotel (c.1840) using the center of the old hotel as the theatre’s lobby. It opened on Maas part of the Well’s chain of theatres and contained 1,503 seats. The Bijou Theatre is a charming venue built for vaudeville and later adapted for cinema.
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