All-ages concerts return to Jillian's

University Theatre venue had zoning issues, owner says

View file photoThe ska band The START performs in a 2005 concert at Jillian?s. Bands have returned to the Neonopolis venue for all-ages performances. Advertisement

The radio spot running on local rock stations announcing the closing of the all-ages music venue University Theatre comically informs an eager, under-21-year-old music fan of the many venues where they might once have seen a rock show.

The Huntridge, the Castle, Sound Barrier and, now, it explains, the University Theatre, all have come and gone. But, this is not a tale of sorrow.

The University Theatre opened Jan. 22 in a strip mall bordering UNLV at 4737 S. Maryland Parkway and closed at the beginning of June when promoter Brian Saliba found out about further licensing and zoning issues that would need to be dealt with for the theater to keep running. Saliba's lease was up and, rather than go through a lot of time and expense, he chose to move his operation back to its former home at Jillian's, a bowling alley/arcade with two bars, in Neonopolis at the Fremont Street Experience.

Saliba had concerts booked solid, sometimes four per week, through August at the theater, but said rescheduling them went smoothly. He already had been talking to Jillian's general manager Danny Gentile about coming back in July or August, so when the opportunity presented itself early, they both agreed it was time.

"The stars lined up," Saliba said.

Gentile and Saliba worked together for four years before Saliba opened the University Theatre, booking legions of punk, emo and metal bands with a smattering of hip-hop and other genres popular among those who have yet to take their SATs -- or who can, at least, still remember their scores. The teenaged rockers came in droves, and many local bands cut their teeth on Jillian's skee ball- and video game-framed stage.

When Jillian's came under new ownership last year, Gentile said, the new management team chose to discontinue the concert series and take Jillian's "in a different direction."

It didn't work, he said, so, when he became general manager, he wanted to bring Jillian's back to its old direction.

"I brought back what worked for Jillian's, which is concerts and family events in the daytime," Gentile said. "The new owners felt I knew where to take Jillian's."

Family events include kids' days on Tuesdays and Sundays. Kids can pay $5 for a game card or bowling. Day camps also frequent the Jillian's arcade for outings.

The Jillian's that Saliba and his concerts have returned to is even better appointed than before. Gentile said the downstairs stage is larger now and located in the center of the room. He has purchased more and newer sound equipment and lighting, as well.

The first band to benefit from these improvements was ska-punk outfit the Aggrolites on June 7, followed the next night by local emo boys Forget McCarran. Following Internet and radio announcements the week before, the new-old venue was in full swing from the first day. Gentile said he was surprised to see Jillian's drawing crowds of 300 or 400, almost immediately.

Now, Jillian's is booked through August with tentative dates set as far as November.

Concerts are all-ages and start at 6 p.m.; tickets are usually a youth-friendly $10 to $15. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, Smash Magazine's Web site at www.smashmagazine.com or at Jillian's.

For information, call 759-0450 or visit www.myspace.com/smashmagazine.