Concert venue on the Hill intrigues artists with its good Boulder vibes
The Fox Theatre has continued to be the music to fan’s ears through booking nationally recognized artists, giving local bands a shot to shine and helping the Boulder community for nearly 15 years.
According to John Caprio, the general manager of The Fox at 1135 13th Street on the Hill, the theatre has sold-out over 75 shows since CU’s scholastic beginnings in August 2006.
“We’re the rock club in town,” Caprio said.
Nationally credited bands contact the Fox through a booking agent nearly 80 percent of the time, said Sarah Finger, assistant talent buyer. When open weeks in the schedule exist, The Fox tries to go after certain bands popular with student listeners and when CU suggestions are lacking, The Fox turns to Radio 1190.
There are many reasons why top bands like Big Wu and Blackalicious return to The Fox, Finger said. One of these reasons being that The Fox is within the top 20 venues in the country.
Competing with the Fillmore Auditorium at 1510 Clarkson Street in Denver, the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. and the Urban Closet in New York, bands keep coming back to Boulder’s Fox Theatre because it’s a fun atmosphere and the fact that, “we have a great vibe,” Caprio said.
According to Shauna Murray, a publicist for The Fox, calling the Fox’s direct line is not the only way to ensure yourself a quality show; a huge part of the Fox Theatre’s publicizing hype comes from its Street Team, not just magazines, newspapers and radio. The breakdown of being on the Street Team: you’re unpaid, but you’ll see whatever shows you help publicize for free.
Production, office and graphics internships are also available for students needing school credit, or just plain experience and the chance to see shows free of charge.
“These internships oftentimes lead to jobs in the industry,” Murray said.
In keeping fresh employees, the Fox has a hard time losing sight of its goal to keep those oh-so reputed, “Boulder vibes” Finger said.
The Fox’s “Three bands, three bucks” is another example of keeping its “Boulder vibes” fresh, Finger said.
Typically on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, Finger said, “local bands like to book themselves a show to get their name out there. What the heck, let them go for it; see what they can do.”
However, the Fox Theatre itself does not always do all the work. The venue can be rented for private parties-most popular are usually graduation or Greek fraternity parties. In addition to renting the venue, a private party can also request a specific band or DJ to play on stage for no extra charge.
Although the Fox Theatre proves to be a Mecca for hip-hop, bluegrass, hippie, reggae and guitar bands, the Theatre also likes to stay true to its Coloradoan roots by donating to 12 different charities in the Boulder and Denver area.
Since the Fox’s charitable onset in May 2005, “close to $20,000 has been raised for the Boulder community” Caprio said, as $.25 of their ticketing profits go to any targeted charity per month.
“Brent’s Place,” an affordable living space for families with children who have cancer and the “Conscious Alliance,” benefiting localized food pantries and destitute Indian Reservations are just a couple of the charities where the Fox Theatre offers their donations.
From the Fox Theatre’s beginnings in March 1992 to its most recent accomplishments in 2007, the Fox continues to keep its fans revved-up.
Merritt Marvin, a senior anthropology major said, “I remember seeing Rise Against when I was a freshman and it was such a phenomenal show considering now they are selling out huge arenas. The Fox has never disappointed me and I’m pumped about this year’s new lineup.”