Given ongoing lamenting about the lack of theaters and performing-arts venues in Vancouver and Clark County, here’s a reminder. The Old Liberty Theater in Ridgefield remains a well-kept secret — unless you’ve already got the place on your radar.
The 200-seat Old Liberty attracts national and regional acts that emphasize fine playing, want great acoustics and really don’t belong in bars, according to longtime owner Don Griswold. Regular and recent guests include bluegrass band the Misty Mamas, acoustic guitar wizard Terry Robb, guitar-and-violin duo Fire & Grace, the global New World String Project and even comedy rockers The Strange Tones.
“It’s a listening room,” Griswold said. “It’s an opportunity to have a concert experience and hear skilled players who’d rather not get stuck playing clubs.”
Griswold never wanted to get stuck with a nightclub either. In 2001 Griswold and wife Earleen relaunched the historic Old Liberty (which first opened in 1946 as the Liberty Theater) with a strategy of offering special events, not nightly noise.
If You Go
Where: The following events all take place at Old Liberty Theater, 115 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield.
To learn more: www.oldlibertytheater.com
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What: Cello Jam with Quinn Kun Liu and Deborah Shuster: classical and contemporary duets and solos by two award-winning cellists.
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16.
Tickets: $20.
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What: Fortunate Sons, Harvest Gold: touring tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, local tribute to Neil Young. Includes a fundraiser for a local group called Let’s Celebrate! Silent auction in lobby before show.
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 23.
Tickets: $10.
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What: Meaningful Movies: “Soundtrack for a Revolution”: documentary film about the music of the civil rights movement. Special guest: Jazz singer David Watson, a Ridgefield resident, will speak after the film.
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 27.
Admission: Free.
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What: St. James Gate: fiery Celtic Rock from Portland. “Traditional, popular and original compositions.”
When: 7:30 p.m. March 9.
Tickets: $20.
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What: Terry Robb with Jeff Peterson: acoustic guitar fingerstyle and blues mastery.
When: 7:30 p.m. May 4.
Tickets: To be announced.
“Great shows with great players,” Griswold said. “Not trying to be a club scene, not slinging whiskey every night.” But to generate more cash flow, he added, the front lobby became the Seasons Coffee Shop, open daily.
The Old Liberty’s fortunes have risen and fallen over the years, but given Ridgefield’s recent growth and diversifying demographics, Griswold said, the hometown audience for this level of performance is swelling nicely these days. “We’re getting a lot more interest. We’re enjoying the growth in the area,” he said.
Sufficient growth so that some performers “are bypassing Portland and playing my place. The whole idea is more viable today. It’s so cool to see,” he said.
“I started this 20 years ago with energy and enthusiasm and an idea,” Griswold said. “Now it seems like it’s time. I’ve just got to keep the idea and the energy going.”
