Author: Duke Denham
Seattle is littered with venues with all sorts of shapes, sizes, backstories, and communities. From warehouse behemoths like Showbox SoDo to smaller, volunteer-run places like the Vera Project, every venue has its own character and contributes to Seattle’s diverse music scene in different ways. However, there’s one venue that stands out as being particularly special and significant to the city’s music culture for a number of reasons. That venue would be The Neptune Theatre.
Established in the 1920’s, The Neptune Theatre initially began as a photoplay palace where it screened silent movies. Passing through numerous owners and undergoing multiple renovations, the theatre eventually landed in the hands of Seattle Theatre Group, a non-profit organization in Seattle that’s determined to “create enriching experiences in the arts, engage diverse communities, and steward historic theatres.” I spoke with Marcus Shriver, STG’s Junior Marketing Manager, to discuss what exactly makes The Neptune such a unique and important historical venue in Seattle (quick side note: the opinions presented are from Shriver and not necessarily from STG as a whole). Before we get there, I have to give some background to STG and their approach to pushing for a vibrant art scene in Seattle.
Seattle Theatre Group proclaims to be the “people’s theatre,” a place where all are welcomed, and all are represented. A quick scroll through the Neptune Theatre calendar definitely reflects that. Seattleites can catch Hip Hop veterans like Action Bronson and Indie Rock outfits like Snail Mail all at the same venue. Shriver explained their approach to booking: “we’re trying to make sure that we hit as many different types of people as possible and that we’re putting things out there that Seattle wants.” Rather than branding it as a venue that specializes in a particular genre (sort of like how El Corazón specializes in Punk and Metal-leaning shows), Seattle Theatre Group aims to cater to as many different groups and communities as possible. The Neptune definitely lends itself to this approach, as the smaller size allows STG to book artists that might have a more niche audience and fanbase there.
Not only does the organization try to bring existing fans of an artist to his/her show, they’re also aiming to expand that artist’s fanbase. In turn, this makes art in the city prosper. Shriver explained, “we’re trying to get people out to concerts that don’t normally go out to concerts.” Rather than going to a club or spending time doing a billion other things in the city, Seattleites have the opportunity to check out a smaller artist they might be unfamiliar with for a lower cost at the Neptune. When more people attend concerts, art in Seattle becomes funded and therefore flourishes. Additionally, artists also grow a larger audience, building a relationship between them and STG to play at bigger venues like The Moore or The Paramount in the future.
In terms of the Neptune Theatre itself, the unique decorations and nautical theme are major factors in what makes concert experiences at the theatre so enjoyable for fans and artists alike. Anybody who has been to the Neptune knows about its dome-shaped architecture, the fantastical stained-glass windows of Greek mythology, and the menacing sculpted heads of Neptune, the Greek god, that piercingly look down at you with their blue-tinted eyes. Shriver mentioned, “when you’re going to a show, the feel of that venue really encapsulates that show. The Neptune is one that has some of the most personality because of the old decorations…Whoever put that together in 1920 put a lot of love into it.” By maintaining the historic, vibrant design of the Neptune so well, STG and past owners have allowed artists to have uniquely intimate experiences with fans, experiences that wouldn’t be the same at other venues.
Additionally, STG is preserving a piece of history that artists and fans get to take part in. Shriver stated, “when you’re at the Neptune Theatre, we want to make sure you feel the history while you’re there, and you feel that you’re becoming part of history.” All the sweat that dripped down onto the stage from every performer, the countless beers that were spilled in the bar, and—in the case of The Neptune—the numerous moviegoers that passed through the doors since 1921 add to the history of the venue. Attending a show at The Neptune means contributing another layer to its history that runs back 90+ years. With more and more buildings being torn down in Seattle, it’s becoming more important to uphold venues like these so that: 1) artists have a space to perform in and art continues to grow 2) the deep, intricate history of art in Seattle is preserved and felt.
Besides a few architectural improvements, STG doesn’t plan on changing their use of The Neptune Theatre in the future. They’ll continue to organize shows for various communities of Seattle, grow artists’ fanbases by convincing more people to attend concerts, and stay up to date with changes in the city’s music industry to best advocate for art in the area. Additionally, they’ll be working more with POC and other underrepresented groups. Ultimately, The Neptune Theatre is a crucial, wonderful piece of history to art in this colorful city. It was built with love and creative passion during its conception and has managed to maintain its integrity throughout to years. For that, I thank STG and many others like them for their dedication to art in Seattle and upholding venues like these.
DUKE DENHAM| Support the Neptune! | KXSU Music Reporter