North Bay musicians rally to save Petaluma’s Phoenix Theatre

The Phoenix Theatre in Petaluma has the kind of authentic historical cred money can’t buy. The Ramones played there. Ditto for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and other Bay Area locals on their way up such as Metallica, Green Day, Arcade Fire, Primus and even the king of the Bay Area hyphy movement, Mac Dre.

More than being the stomping ground of legends, the theater - which also has housed a movie house and an opera - has found its identity over the past 30 years as a creative incubator for the local youth community, giving new talent here as much of a voice as it does the big-ticket acts.

After receiving a notice from the City of Petaluma to comply with the fire sprinkler ordinance by April 2019, the historical venue faces fines and potential closure if it can’t make the needed improvements.

Rallying to keep the theater’s doors open, local acts have come forward to help raise the $250,000 needed for sprinklers and a new roof via a series of benefit concerts.