Concert News
Dallas' Longhorn Ballroom currently being renovated to open in spring '23
Exciting things are underway at the Longhorn Ballroom.
A Dallas music venue steeped in history is being brought back to life: The Longhorn Ballroom, which hosted countless iconic performers, is in the midst of a renovation by Kessler Presents, the team headed by historical steward Edwin Cabaniss, that restored the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff and The Heights Theater in Houston.
According to a release, the Ballroom will be open in spring 2023 with first shows to be announced soon.
Cabaniss and his team hope to share the story of Longhorn Ballroom not in just a historical way, but as a living, breathing testament to its musical contributions.
Those include legendary performances by The Sex Pistols, Merle Haggard, Tex Ritter, Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, T- Bone Walker, Ernest Tubb, Ray Charles, Asleep at the Wheel, Little Richard, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Ramones, James Brown, Patti Smith, Johnnie Taylor, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Al Green, George Strait, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Selena, and more.
The historical storytelling aspect will be done in part via museum-style display cases with clothing, guitars, and mementos including Tex Ritter's, James Brown’s robe, guitars from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, & BB King, the dress Loretta Lynn wore when she performed, Bob Wills’ fiddle amplifier, and photographs from the venue’s early days.
The venue's official goal is to put these stories in front of the artist, live music patrons, and the music industry alike - to honor and connect the venue’s history to its present and future.
Artist programming at this 2,000+ capacity venue, located at 216 Corinth St. in the Cedars neighborhood, will be a way for Kessler Presents to continue their support of artists within the Dallas touring market, Cabaniss says.
"Our patrons crave authenticity and the magic of discovery in unique settings," he says. "It’s been the model for our successes at the Kessler and now we will apply those same values at the Longhorn."
“We take great pride that many artists build their fan bases at the Kessler Theater and then graduate to bigger rooms.” he says. “With the addition of the Longhorn Ballroom, we can continue to grow with them.”
