Arlene Schneizter Concert Hall

Chances are if you have been to downtown Portland, you have seen the Schneitzer Concert Hall’s glowing sign. Spelling out Portland in bright lights for all to see, this concert hall is a local landmark as well as an excellent spot for concerts, theatre and the many other events the venue puts on throughout the year.

Its convenient location makes it a must stop for any visitor. Even if you are not going to a performance, just walking by and taking a few photos makes for memorable keepsakes. It is also only a few steps away from the Portland Art Museum and nearby shopping, making the Schneitzer a perfect destination for adding a bit of culture to your Portland visit.

 The Schneitzer Concert Hall’s main tenant is the Oregon Symphony. The symphony's exquisite performances are always classy and exciting. This spring they hosted the Beethoven Festival, featuring Arnaldo Cohen performing the complete set of Beethoven Piano concertos.

The Arlene Schneitzer Concert Hall was originally built and opened in 1928 as the Portland Publix Theatre. After falling into disrepair, the theatre was reopened in 1984 after being extensively remodeled. Named after Arlene Schneitzer, who along with her husband were major benefactors to the local arts community, the $10 million renovation “involved repairing, recasting or replacing much of the theatre's ornate interior as well as making it comfortable and safe for today's audiences and performers.”

The Schneitzer Concert Hall is run by the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. This umbrella organization coordinates the events for the ballet, opera, symphony and other performances at five different venues around town, including the Schneitzer. So if you are in town and there is not event at the Schneitzer for your evening, check the PCPA’s website to see what other events are going on around town.

This landmark really has it all. From history, culture and fun, it is great place to entertain out of town guests or as a surprise gift to a loved one. The sheer variety of events, including arts lectures and modern music concerts, shows off how this piece of Portland history fits neatly into the city’s modern culture.

HelloPortland Tip: Want to go to an event for cheap? Call the PCPA at 503-432-2960. They offer half price day-of-the-show tickets for many of the Schneitzer Concert Hall's events.

- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

William Crane

William Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues. Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.