Opened on Thursday, Sept. 24, 1903, the Greek Theatre has always been an important part of Berkeley culture, it has held countless concerts and events in the amphitheater, and has forever instilled its place as a landmark of the Bay Area. The venue can hold around 8,500 people with many different types of seating in its traditional amphitheater format. Whether you want to dance in the pit, relax on the grass, or sit in the amphitheater, the Greek has it all. As the years have passed it has been host to many famous artists, such as The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. Over 100 years later, it is still a special place for those who live in the East Bay, especially for high school students.
“The first concert I went to was Glass Animals. It was really colorful, there were a lot of lights. The main singer, he’s really animated. I remember he was constantly running back and forth across the stage. And it was really loud too, but in a good way. I really enjoyed it,” Berkeley High School junior Joaquin Jackson, said. It’s not everywhere that there is a local venue like the Greek Theatre where students can go to have fun. Numerous BHS students have made lasting memories at the Greek, including junior Rue Bhandari.
“The first one that I can remember was Yo-Yo Ma, and I think the SF Philharmonic there in like, 2016 around then … I remember, like, the sound system and being very impressed,” Bhandari said, recalling her first concert at the Greek Theatre. “It’s a very beautiful space, and I think it holds a lot of like significance for Berkeley too, like historical significance.”
A unique attribute about the Greek Theatre is the architecture. Before its construction, the hill was already a natural semicircle, perfect for the amphitheater format. The venue is very reminiscent of classic Greek architecture, and consists of the stage, with tall pillars; the pit, where during concerts people may dance; the stone amphitheater where the majority of seating is; and the newly renovated grassy area. Despite how open the venue is, it still results in amazing acoustics.
“I think the sound system is great, especially for classical music concerts, because that can definitely be tricky outside. They do a very good job of carrying the sound and everything,” Bhandari said.
The outside weather can elevate the experience, specifically in the warmer days.
“I definitely like that it’s outside, because, especially in summer, it’s so nice to be there. And usually the weather kind of stays consistently pleasant in Berkeley. So it’s definitely nice to have such a gorgeous outside venue,” Bhandari said.
The Greek Theatre holds important memories for BHS students. Generations of students and staff have passed through, attending concerts and events. The Greek Theatre continues to be a special place for many, cementing itself as a core part of Berkeley.