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Paramount Theatre Tours – World’s Best Haunted House

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Photo by Philip Greenspun, via Paramount Theatre website

If you’ve never been to the Paramount Theatre, read Christy’s recent post that describes just how rad that place is. It is, by far, my favorite Bay Area venue.

I’ve been wanting to do this, and post about it, for years, but I keep forgetting. Thankfully, I was reminded by my two recent trips to the Paramount to see Sufjan Stevens (and yes, it was as amazing as Christy said) and…wait for it…LEONARD COHEN. There are no words. Dude’s like 200 years old but I’d date that guy in a heartbeat.

Anyway, back to the belabored point: the Paramount Theatre hosts two-hour guided tours on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Now, you might think, who wants to see a TWO-HOUR tour of a theatre? The answer is you. Apparently the old art deco giant is riddled with secret passageways, trapdoors, hidden corridors, wacky machinery, and so much more. You should read Jon Carroll’s article from 15 years ago (he says it’s the world’s best haunted house!). Yep, you’ve been missing out on this for 15 years. Who knew? I did. I just forgot to tell you. But I’m telling you now. So do it!

The Paramount Theatre – Guided Tours
1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 10am-12pm
The Paramount Theatre
2025 Broadway Ave [Oakland]
Meet at the Box Office entrance on 21st Street near Broadway
$5

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Chloe - Pennywise Reporter

Chloe - Pennywise Reporter

Chloe's youth was split between California and Kauai, frolicking on a macadamia nut farm in the tropics and landing finally in the Bay Area. Raised by super-Jew hippies, and the youngest of three sisters, Chloe learned early the virtues of thrift, economy, and green living. To the chagrin of her parents (who hoped, of course, for a Jewish doctor or lawyer), Chloe has put her degree from UC Berkeley to great use by becoming a folk singer. As "Chloe Makes Music" she plays shows throughout SF and beyond, donning vintage frocks, selling handmade merch, and pinching pennies as she sings for her supper. Calling Berkeley home for the last six years, you can think of Chloe as the website's East Bay Correspondent, opening your eyes to the hippie-filled, tree-hugging, organic-loving, vegan-eating, but way-overlooked and awesome assets of Berkeley, Oakland, and beyond.