Phoenix Concerts On Track

Concerts at the 720-capacity Phoenix Theatre in Petaluma, Calif. – temporarily halted because of alleged fire code violations – resumed Sept. 17 after a productive meeting between venue and fire officials.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported the alleged violations – an over-capacity crowd of about 900 and blocked exits – were observed by police during a sold-out Smashing Pumpkins show Sept. 8.

However, longtime Phoenix Theatre chief Tom Galley told Pollstar Sept. 15 that report wasn’t accurate.

“The Phoenix was not over-filled and there were absolutely no blocked exits,” Galley said in a statement. “We haven’t been shown credible evidence that any of that occurred.”

Since then, Galley and Petaluma Fire Department officials have discussed the fire marshal’s requirements, which he said were already in place at the theatre.

“The only issue we really had with the fire department is communication. It’s pretty much just a question of documentation,” Galley told Pollstar Sept. 20. “We hired a consultant to come in and he’s been great. I think we’re all on the same page now.
“We have gotten the clearance to continue to have concerts.”

A Sept. 10 concert with Andre Nickatina was rescheduled for Nov. 20 but no other concerts were affected.