The Majestic Theater will finally reopen its doors Saturday night, and its new owners hope headliner Mandy Moore will start them on the road toward overcoming the venue's troubled past and re-establishing its reputation as a part of the Madison music scene.
After succumbing to scrutiny last fall for catalyzing a string of high-profile crimes in the King Street area, the hip-hop dance club was sold last spring and converted into a live music venue for nationally touring bands by new owners Matt Gerding and Scott Leslie.
It's going to take some time - I know there's some paranoia involved with this building,"" Gerding said. ""But I think once the community comes out and sees that it's a different operation and a more comfortable setting, eventually everyone will come down to a show they want to see.""
Gerding, who invested $250,000 with Leslie revamping the venue, said they have not sold many tickets for opening night yet, but that, ""there's a lot of buzz in the community.""
""A lot of people just want to come down and see the theater,"" he said. ""We're hoping there's a lot of walkup tomorrow. It should be a pretty respectable number of people there.""
After Moore, the Majestic has booked several acts through December, including Matt Nathanson, Pat McGee, Mat Kearney and The Verve Pipe.
Ryan Matteson, a Madison resident who has operated a local music blog for three years, said none of the acts had yet sparked his interest but that he is glad to see the venue re-open nonetheless.
""When the bands align with the types of bands that I and my readers listen to, I think it will be a fantastic place to catch live music,"" Matteson said.
No matter who the Majestic books, most agree the audience will be drastically different from that of the old club. Many blamed a series of 2006 shootings and stabbings on the frequenters of the former club.
""That problem of having them in the street, and having all the violence and everything, stopped [when the Majestic closed],"" said Sue Kirton, who owned the neighboring Opus Lounge until just recently. ""It completely stopped.""
Kirton said she never wanted the Majestic closed, however, and that she is happy to have ""a new neighbor on the block.""
""I'm hoping that having it downtown will bring a new atmosphere and a whole new feeling to King Street - the way it used to be,"" she said.
MPD lieutenant Joe Balles said since the old Club Majestic closed, he has not had to worry about the area the way he once did. Still, the MPD will be keeping a close eye on the Majestic opening night, according to Gerding.
Gerding has also talked to the mayor's office. George Twigg, spokesperson for Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said the mayor is excited for the reopening and plans to visit the venue Wednesday.
""It's obviously had some challenges in the past, but we're eager to see the lights come back on,"" Twigg said. ""It will bring some positive options to King Street, but just in a way that's constructive and fits in well with the other commercial properties on that street.""
Moore's concert begins at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $18.
