Admiral Theatre (Omaha)
 The Admiral Theatre in 2024 | |
 | |
| Former names | Sokol Auditorium |
|---|---|
| Address | 2234 South 13th Street Omaha, Nebraska United States |
| Owner | 1% Productions |
| Capacity | 1,500 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 19, 1926 |
| Opened | October 31, 1926 |
| Renovated | 2021-2022 |
| Construction cost | $100,000 |
| Architect | Edward J. Sessinghaus |
The Admiral Theatre is located at 2234 South 13th Street in the Little Bohemia neighborhood of South Omaha, Nebraska. It is a local icon for its historical context, as well as modern musical performances for rock and country music. It has a maximum capacity of 1,500. It was originally known as the Sokol Auditorium from 1926 to 2021.
History
[edit]
Sokol Auditorium was built in 1926 at the corner of South 13th Street and Martha Street to house many of the Omaha Czech community’s social activities. Sokols ("falcons" in Czech) were fraternal (and sororal) organizations first founded in Bohemia to promote equality, harmony, and fraternity. As one of four in Omaha, the Sokol Auditorium was utilized for meetings by twenty-five Bohemian lodges, as well as ethnic Italians and American groups. The hall also offered recreation classes for its members.[1]
The Sokol Auditorium in Omaha was one of many such buildings built as part of the Sokol movement. In 1862, a highly educated young Czech intellectual, Dr. Miroslav Tyrš (1832-1884) founded Sokol. His goal was to develop physically strong and mentally alert citizens, and to instill in them a deep love for national freedom as a result of volunteer exercise and discipline.
Sokols have been prominent in the Olympic Games for many years. Sokol Omaha sent Phil Cahoy and James Hartung as members of the 1980 Olympic team; Hartung competed again in 1984.
In 2021, the venue was purchased by 1% Productions, which arranged for a comprehensive renovation. The venue is now called The Admiral Theatre, named after the defunct Omaha movie theater of the same name which was located at South 40th and Farnam Streets and was in operation from 1942 to 1983 before finally being demolished in 1997.
Legacy
[edit]The Sokol Auditorium has been mentioned specifically in a number of songs from the last twenty years. The Faint mentions the Sokol in the song, "Amorous in Bauhaus Fashion," from the album Media. They Might Be Giants wrote the song, "Sokol Auditorium," about the venue. Neva Dinova's music video for "Yellow Datsun," was filmed at the Auditorium, and Johnny Rioux of the Street Dogs collapsed on stage on February 27, 2007 of an apparent seizure while his band was opening for Flogging Molly.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Mead & Hunt, Inc. (2006) Reconnaissance Survey of Portions of South Central Omaha, Nebraska: Historic Buildings Survey.[usurped] Nebraska State Historical Society. p. 6. Retrieved 6/17/07.
External links
[edit]- Map:
| Authority control databases: Geographic |
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