Tit for Tat in the Venue Wars

By Julene McCoy in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 27, 2006 2:33PM

We told you, not that long ago, that Live Nation had purchased the House of Blues chain effectively throwing another Molotov cocktail at Jam Productions in this war for Chicago’s live music scene. Little did we know that quietly, behind the scenes, Jam Productions, who dominates the small and mid-size venues in Chicago, was shoring up their defenses by purchasing the Riviera Theater in Uptown.

Riviera Entertainment Properties LLC (same managers and address as Jam) scooped up the property for a cool $3 million back in March. Rumors are circling that the theater may be rehabbed using TIF money. Nothing would make Chicagoist happier than to have the Uptown neighborhood thriving as the spot for live music and theater again.