The Moxi Theater is preparing to celebrate its first double-digit anniversary with a month-long celebration of show and performances.
“It’s been 10 years this April. It doesn’t seem like it,” owner Ely Corliss said, laughing. “We definitely wanted to invite as many as our friends out as we could to celebrate.”
Festivities kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 with performances from INTHEWHALE, Thrash Hard City, Phantomstone and Plasma Canvas.
“INTHEWHALE is a band that I went to college with and were my college roommates,” Corliss explained. “They were involved in our opening weekend. It’s so cool that 10 years later that band is still out there doing it and is a regular Moxi headliner.”
Rising country musician Danno Simpson will perform with Estin & The 86’s and The Barlow at 7 p.m. Friday, April 7.
The Moxi Theater is located at 802 9th St. in downtown Greeley. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
Other bands and artists scheduled to perform throughout April include:
The Wailers (yes, those Wailers) and Juicebox — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 8
Demun Jones and Sam Grow — 7 p.m. Sunday, April 9
Holdfast with Silver & Gold, Wheelright and Violet Visionaries — 7 p.m. Friday, April 14
Hemlock, Koryos and Killing Creation — 7 p.m. Sunday, April 16
Texas Hippie Coalition, XFactor1, Gravel and Heartsick Heroine — 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20
“We are capping it off with the Flobots. They were part of our opening year and it’s been 10 years since we’ve had them back,” Corliss said about the last act on the list. “So that’s really cool.”
Check out the full lineup of performances by going to http://bit.ly/3lRXOyA .
In addition to a packed calendar of performances, Corliss is also offering music fans the opportunity to purchase a VIP 2023 Season Pass for $99, regularly $149, beginning Saturday.
Season passes allow holders to attend every concert at the Moxi offered in April through the end of the year. Season passes also include five buddy tickets to every show.
Prior to transforming the building, located at 802 Ninth St., into the Moxi Theater in 2013, it was a dinner theater.
“When I heard there was an opportunity to lease the dinner theater, I saw it as a chance for Greeley to have a real concert venue,” Corliss said.
The building was built in 1906 and was originally the Greeley Commercial College, offering night classes to community members. Over its lifetime, the space has been home to several different playhouses.
Wanting to highlight the unique character of the historic building, Corliss incorporated some of the brickwork and original woodwork into the theater’s décor.
Over the past 10 years, Corliss has been able to bring a variety of different shows to the theater through tapping into Greeley and northern Colorado’s rich base of artists as well as using his experience in promoting shows.
In 2013, Ely Corliss walked into an empty dinner theater in downtown Greeley and knew he could create something special for the community. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
In addition to live music, the Moxi has hosted weddings, magic shows and private gatherings over the past 10 years.
More recently, Corliss has added comedy to the lineup of shows, utilizing the Moxi’s sister venue, Stella’s Pinball Arcade and Lounge. Stella’s is located downstairs from the Moxi.
“Stand-up comedy is a true American art form that is like the new punk rock. There’s a big scene for comedy these days,” he said. “It’s a big part of our popular culture again. Bringing a real solid comedy vibe to downtown Greeley is going to be a really cool thing.”
Corliss is also adding more matinee shows to the Moxi’s schedule to allow professionals in the community the opportunity to get out to a concert without having to endure the after-effects of a late night the next morning.
“That’s been a lot of the feedback we’ve been hearing. A lot of people, especially professionals, the late time for these concerts has always been kind of a challenge,” Corliss said. “But we are trying to create an approachable as possible concert setting.”
While some businesses, both new and long-time staples in communities across the region, were forced to shut their doors due to the COVID pandemic, Corliss said the Moxi “came out stronger.”
Over the past 10 years, the Moxi Theater has welcomed hundreds of musicians, bands and other performers to its stage in downtown Greeley. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
“During the pandemic I hired some more administrative level people. There’s several talent buyers working for the Moxi now where before it was a one-man show,” Corliss said. “It’s such a competitive Front Range that I really do feel like casting a wider net through BandWagon Presents (an industry magazine published by Corliss) and all the concerts I’m doing across the state and in Wyoming helps put the Moxi on the map and helps put Greeley on the map.”
Cementing Greeley as a destination venue has been a big achievement for Corliss and crew, especially with Denver, Fort Collins and Boulder within a fairly close proximity.
“It’s an uphill challenge for sure, and it’s really a miracle it’s lasted 10 years,” Corliss said. “Hopefully we have crossed that hill and it’s all downhill from here. I really think the Moxi could be around for a lot longer than 10 more years.”
The band Yarn will be taking the stage at the Moxi Theater on March 12. (Greeley Tribune file photo)
To see the full schedule of performances, or to purchase tickets, merchandise or season passes, go to www.moxitheater.com .
This article was originally published in Greeley Tribune