Listen to a Mighty Wurlitzer before the Movies

An organist playing the Mighty WurlitzerAt the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland you are treated to an organ concert every Friday and Saturday evening. The concert lasts between 10 to 30  minutes and is performed twice before the main auditorium movie.  

I found this to be a real treat in the beautifully restored historic theater. These organs used to accompany silent movies and were produced by the thousands. Today only a few hundred remain.

An organist playing the Mighty Wurlitzer at the Grand Lake Theater in OaklandWhen we entered the theater the organist was already playing even though we were the first audience. My clapping after a set was taken with humor amidst the scarce crowd. But he persisted and a few more people filled the auditorium. I can’t tell you if this is the rule or an exception. It might be the choice of movie? We saw IF, a children’s movie and I think we were the only adults without minors. 

Nevertheless I enjoyed both the performance and the movie.

Outside the Grand Lank Theater at nightThe Northern California Theater Organ Society will at times perform early weekend morning concerts. You can find details on their website.  

Have you ever heard someone play a mighty Wurlitzer?

I have a few short video clips of the organ being played on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCQoyrqaGw38KaO6XVeeceqCp85eorm84