Bend, OR

The Tower Theater located in downtown Bend is a 68 year old historic landmark. Once housing vaudeville shows, plays and a women’s only lounge, to playing first run movies in association with Paramount pictures and now slowly going back towards the theater play end of things this place holds a special place in my heart from my childhood and I am sure as I grow older, it will continue to do so as I continue making the trek to go see a play or sometimes even an independent motion picture film. The history involved in the Tower Theater is impressive at best, having visitors from as far away as Russia, to perform battle songs and dances. There were also the weekly amateur hour, fashion shows, several variety shows. I vaguely remember this era of the theater.

Now I have watched the theater over the years slide away from this impressiveness to one losing itself to multi screens and age of decay and when it was decided to renovate it I was thrilled. The long arduous affair of bringing back the theater was a sight to behold and now that it has been finished I get to once again enjoy the multiple theater plays, orchestras that can be heard through all of downtown when the doors are open, emerging cinematic films, fashion shows, the opera

Sitting on top of the theater is still one of my favorite things to do. From the vantage I get a large view of downtown, of Drake Park and of the different celebrations that are happening around me. This is also a great viewing to watch fireworks come 4^th of July. It may not seem like a lot to some but I’ve watched half of its history and I rather enjoy the plays and seeing the independents and cowboy poetry moments. The Tower is a great little theater for the many who visit downtown and it has something for all in the way of different events. The Tower also can be rented by calling 541-317-0700.