Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club activates new LED marquee at Bethesda Theatre (Photos)

The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club's new LED marquee was activated yesterday. It replaces the traditional marquee outside the historic Bethesda Theatre at 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, which now serves as the club's venue, but the neon signage on top remains the same. As you can see in these photos, the marquee functions as a wraparound screen, capable of displaying images as well as text. It will certainly grab more attention from passersby, if not reflect the art deco aesthetic of the 1938 movie palace.

Dave Chappelle surprises at Bethesda Blues & Jazz sold-out reopening weekend

The exterior of the historic 1938 Bethesda Theatre was lit for the first time in over a year this past weekend, as comedian Earthquake reopened the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club with back-to-back sold out shows. There was already a scent of Hollywood in the air going into the weekend, as the shows were being taped for a Netflix special. But fans and Earthquake himself got a bonus surprise when superstar Dave Chappelle made an appearance at Saturday night's event. 

Rolls-Royce parking only!

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club makes final preparations for Netflix, reopening night (Photos)

The final preparations are being made at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club at 7719 Wisconsin Avenue for tonight's grand reopening. Comedian Earthquake will perform tonight and tomorrow night, shows being taped live for a Netflix special. 

A Netflix banner was put over the marquee out front on Thursday evening. It's almost as exciting as the building's first opening night in 1938, when screen legend Clark Gable sent a congratulatory telegram as the art deco movie palace made its debut as The Boro theater, part of the regional cinema and drive-in empire of the legendary Sidney Lust.

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club readies return this weekend

The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club at 7719 Wisconsin Avenue is preparing for a return to operations this Saturday, when local comedian Earthquake will film a Netflix special live at the venue over two back-to-back nights. Yesterday, workers were readying the historic theater for the weekend, performing painting and other maintenance work. 

Big names who will be appearing at the club this fall include Ruben Studdard, Peabo Bryson and Kirk Whalum. The former movie theater has been known as The Boro, the Bethesda Theatre, and the Bethesda Cinema & Drafthouse over its history, since opening in 1938. You'll find art paying tribute to the iconic movie palace in the TD Bank and Matchbox in downtown Bethesda.

Feel the Bern in Bethesda tonight

Bethesda progressives will Feel the Bern tonight at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders will appear live tonight, October 30, 2018, at 6:00 PM alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous. It's safe to say Nancy Floreen will not be in the building.

All four Democrat candidates for 
Montgomery County Council At-Large have
accepted thousands of dollars from their
developer sugar daddies. Elect
ROBERT DYER, who has taken no
money from developers. Vote early
TODAY at the Jane Lawton Center in
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to learn more about a man who's been
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Now the cartel wants to rezone existing
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Vote like your future depends on it -
because it does

BETHESDA THEATRE FOR SALE FOR $8.5 MILLION

The historic Bethesda Theatre, currently home to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club at 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, is back on the market for sale. Marcus & Millichap, which has a downtown Bethesda office among its 78 locations across the country, is handling the potential sale. Originally opened in 1938 as the Boro Theatre, the Streamline Art Deco movie house has evolved over time into a Cinema and Drafthouse, a home for off-Broadway plays, and now a music and entertainment venue.

Should the theater draw a buyer, the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club will likely remain as a tenant, because it currently has a 10-year lease at the property. Sales documents indicate the club would like the option to continue beyond that lease. Any potential conversion of uses would most likely have to wait until a decade from now. Additionally, the sales announcement stipulates that the club be granted a new 10 year lease "upon close of escrow," and could include "negotiable [rent] increases," and options to renew the lease.

Changes of use are limited, however, as the building's interior and exterior have been designated historic, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It cannot, like so many other classic movie houses such as the Druid in Damascus, Maryland, and the MacArthur Theater in the District, be turned into a drug store. This means that the property owner will not likely be able to charge a market rate rent per square foot.

Why would anyone want to purchase the building with seemingly minimal profit potential? It could be a tax deduction opportunity. Someone with a grand plan to convert it back to a movie palace or some other entertainment use, who can wait 10 years, might be interested. A risk taker might gamble the supper club would fold before the end of the lease. And some real estate investors just like to acquire significant, historical properties such as this.

The building is a real gem, and one of the few significant historic properties still standing in downtown Bethesda. If you have only driven past, you might not realize how grand the interior is. With current operator Bethesda Blues & Jazz, the venue is probably in the best shape it's been in in many decades. It opened in 1938 with a congratulatory telegram from the legendary Clark Gable. Whoever answers this sale ad will decide what the theater's next chapter will hold.

MONTGOMERY'S GOT TALENT RETURNS TO BETHESDA MAY 18

The 2nd annual Montgomery's Got Talent show will be held at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club from 1:00-4:00 PM on Sunday, May 18, 2014. Senior citizens from across Montgomery County will compete as singers, dancers, comedians, or with whatever other skills and talents they bring to this annual event, which recognizes Older Americans Month.

You can order tickets online now. Montgomery's Got Talent is co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Recreation Department's senior programs, the county Department of Health and Human Services, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Inspired Event Productions and Haba Entertainment Group.

Bethesda Blues and Jazz

Supper Club

7719 Wisconsin Avenue

IS BETHESDA READY FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY BURLESQUE SHOW? (PHOTOS)

Adults Only! Must be 18+! Bad girls doing good things!, warns the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club, about what promises to be the closest Bethesda will get to a Bourbon Street-level Mardi Gras celebration.

Burlesque performers and lingerie models will take the stage at the historic former movie theater on Friday, February 28, at 8:00 PM. Performers will include Maria Bella of Baltimore, Miss Bliss Floccare from North Carolina, and Bitsy Buttons from Richmond. The lingerie models will be courtesy of Charm City's Bottom Drawer Lingerie Boutique. Mardi Gras-themed music for the performers - and for attendees who wish to avail themselves of the club's dance floor - will be provided by the Texas Chainsaw Horns.

The club's proprietor, Rick Brown, promised they wouldn't limit themselves strictly to blues & jazz concerts.

This show is likely to draw some attention around town. A representative of the Texas Chainsaw Horns says, "they're probably only gonna let us do this once."

Tickets are $20.00, and can be purchased online.

Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club

7719 Wisconsin Avenue, 240-330-4500

JUDITH HILL LIVE CONCERT IN BETHESDA JULY 14 AT BETHESDA BLUES & JAZZ

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club has booked another big name of the moment for July 14:

Judith Hill (click here to buy tickets), who was a popular contestant on The Voice this season. Coached by Adam Levine, Hill was expected by many to win before becoming many media outlets' consensus choice for "most shocking elimination from The Voice."

Levine and the producers of the show weren't the first to hear something in Hill. She was chosen by Michael Jackson for his ill-fated This Is It tour in 2009, performing duets with him for the show, and solo at his funeral services. Jackson had probably the best ear in pop music, so you can't get a better endorsement than that.

Hill is also currently on the silver screen, as one of the vocalists profiled in the documentary, "20 Feet from Stardom."

With the limited seating at Bethesda Blues & Jazz, this show is almost sure to sell out, so use that link above to get tickets.

CLASSIC 1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA AT CLASSIC BETHESDA THEATRE (PHOTOS)

Last week, Fleming's Ultimate Garage of Rockville displayed a vintage 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS by the historic Bethesda Theatre (now known as the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club).

They don't make 'em like they used to. The Impala hasn't had much style since the mid-90s Impala SS. And while several new movie theaters are under construction in Montgomery County, none are a true movie palace, which the Streamline art deco Bethesda Theatre is.

As both show, with good maintenance, classic icons don't have to be demolished.

Fuzzy dice included!

BETHESDA THEATRE 75TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT WITH BRANFORD MARSALIS

Just before Clark Gable appeared as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, he had the Bethesda Theatre on his mind. Yes, our Bethesda Theatre, right here on Wisconsin Avenue.

On the occasion of its grand opening, the legendary actor sent the following message from Hollywood:

"Congratulations. May the Boro Theatre prove the bright spot of your entire circuit." - Clark Gable

(It was initially called the Boro Theatre.) Today, it is known as the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club.

The club has assembled the quotes of Mr. Gable and his contemporaries Gary Cooper, Spencer Tracy, and Shirley Temple recorded on that date, May 17, 1938.

Why?

BB&J is throwing a big 75th Anniversary party for the beloved Streamline art deco theatre it now calls home.

And there'll be a celebrity guest - in person, this time: Branford Marsalis.

You can purchase tickets (at BethesdaBluesJazz.com or 240-330-4500) for this special event, which will be held - appropriately - on May 17, 2013.

For ticket prices, and a schedule for the evening, click to enlarge the invitation below.

One interesting piece of trivia, which I only found out in recent years: The Bethesda Theatre was built by Sidney Lust, who also built the drive-in theater on Route 1 in Beltsville. The drive-in had a fantastic wall design that faced the road, but - criminally - was torn down. I can remember passing it on the way to the Laurel Drive-in in the 1980s.

The Bethesda Theatre, named to the national list of historic sites, is here to stay, however. Clark Gable would be pleased.

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ SUPPER CLUB SNEAK PREVIEW (VIDEO)

Yesterday I was at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club press conference, and I brought back some video for you of that spectacular Streamline Art Deco movie theater, and from the press conference itself.

Owner Rick Brown said that some regulars at Glen Echo Park's famous Spanish Ballroom convinced him to not only place a new dance floor in front of the stage, but to put a layer of cork beneath it.

Brown also said there is the potential to host a House of Blues-style Gospel Brunch on Sundays in the future.  All of the more general details are covered in the above video.

The club opens Friday.

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ UPDATES BETHESDA THEATRE MARQUEE (PHOTOS)

After years of static and outdated messages (including a personal birthday message that lingered long past the birthday), the marquee at the historic Bethesda Theatre has come alive again, as the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club approaches its grand opening. I'm looking forward to seeing some big names in lights on Wisconsin Avenue in the coming years.

MAGGIE ROSE BETHESDA CONCERT TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club has posted its concert schedule, and the Maggie Rose dates (March 8-9) are now available for purchase.

MAGGIE ROSE TO PLAY 2 SHOWS AT BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ SUPPER CLUB MARCH 8-9!

Blockbuster news from the soon-to-open Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club: one of the first artists to perform at the historic venue will be rising country star Maggie Rose.

A Potomac native who attended Our Lady of Mercy and Georgetown Visitation, Rose is now considered an "It" Girl in Nashville. Among the industry bigshots guiding her career is Tommy Mottola.

Her debut album, Cut to Impress, will be available March 26. But you'll have a chance to hear the material before everyone else at these two Bethesda shows.

Stay tuned for ticket information - I will post it when it is announced. The club is scheduled to open March 1, but show information will be released any time now.

This is going to be a fantastic start for the club.  If you are a longtime Bethesda resident, you know that downtown Bethesda has lacked a music venue that would draw a national recording artist (at least in my lifetime).  It's also very appropriate given that Washington DC was actually a country music town, back in the days of Jimmy Dean and Patsy Cline.

Though we've previously expected just blues and jazz from this club (and Rose's vocal style draws quite a bit from the former), maybe this won't be the last country show in downtown Bethesda.

BOX OFFICE SIGN LIGHTS UP AFTER LONG DARKNESS AT BETHESDA BLUES & JAZZ SUPPER CLUB

The long-dark, neon "Box Office" sign of the historic Bethesda Theatre was aglow once again on Wisconsin Avenue last night.

Now the home of the Bethesda Blues & Jazz supper club, opening March 1, the building is retaining much of its vintage charm. The styles of automobiles have changed, the old Pizza Hut and other nearby structures have been demolished and replaced.  But facing the theater from across Wisconsin, the scene is not all that changed from the 1940s and 50s.  Well, okay, there is an apartment building now looming over it.

The historic theatre was built in 1938, and is an example of Streamline Moderne architecture.

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ RENOVATION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Renovations continue at the historic, art deco Bethesda Theater, which will officially become Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on March 1.

Here is an exclusive photo gallery of the theater and new kitchen:

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ SUPPER CLUB NOW PLANS FEBRUARY 2013 OPENING (PHOTOS)

The new Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club, which had planned to open later this month, has now confirmed February 2013 as its targeted opening date.

Work continues inside, and residents of The Whitney claim to have even heard some music at least once.

This one should be worth the wait, if you are as big a fan of New Orleans and Cajun cuisine as I am.