The Kaiser Convention Center is a 5,492-seat multi-purpose arena in Oakland, California that opened in 1914. In the 1950's and 1960's the Roller Derby played there hundreds of times. It was home to the Oakland Skates roller hockey team. Originally known as the Oakland Auditorium, it was renamed in honor of Henry J. Kaiser after a 1984 renovation.
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The building is located next to the Oakland Museum, near Laney College and Lake Merritt. Parking at the building is very limited, which affects the building's viability as a major event space.
In addition to the medium-sized arena space, the building houses a theater and several event spaces. Some of the event spaces have ornate chandeliers. In 2006, Oakland voters defeated a ballot proposition advocating a library space in the building.
From 1985-1989, the Grateful Dead, an American rock band, performed at the Convention Center 34 times, and would typically perform "runs" of shows in which the band would perform several shows over the course of three to four days.[1][2]
Elvis Presley performed at the Convention Center on June 3, 1956 and again on October 27, 1957.