Trocadero Theatre
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- For the origins of the word Trocadero, and other places where it has been used, see Trocadero (disambiguation).
The Trocadero Theatre opened in 1870 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering musical comedies, then vaudeville and burlesque. Later still it was refurbished for use as an art house cinema and fine arts theatre. Burlesque performer Mara Gaye performed at the Troc in the 1950s. In 1986, the Trocadero was again remodeled for its current use as a concert hall and dance club. The Trocadero retains a promoting team and books bands directly. The theater usually books lesser-known heavy metal, punk rock, ska, and industrial/gothic bands. Hip hop groups have also made appearances there, as have rock and roll bands.
The stylish connotations of the name "Trocadero" derive from the Battle of Trocadero in southern Spain, a citadel held by liberal Spanish forces that was taken by the French troops sent by Charles X, in 1823. The battle was commemorated in the Place du Trocadéro, Paris, and the monumental glamor of the Parisian site has given rise to a variety of locales bearing its name.
In London the Trocadero Restaurant of J. Lyons and Co. opened in 1896 in Shaftesbury Avenue, near the theatres of the West End. It offered magnificent settings in an Opera Baroque style, and the various Trocaderos of the English-speaking world have derived their names from this original, the epitome of grand Edwardian catering.
Consequently, Trocadero is the name of several restaurants and clubs throughout the world: see Trocadero (disambiguation).
Many famed bands have played the Trocadero, including Anti-Flag, Rancid, The Early November, Taking Back Sunday, Type O Negative, The Germs, and My Chemical Romance. It was also featured on the MTV program "2 Dollar Bill" when My Chemical Romance was on it. A variety of local bands have also played the venue, including Kill Your Romeo, Ghost Town Locals, Mourning Electra, 9:18, and dozens of others.
