The Kessler in the News
Here is some of the media attention The Kessler has received since its resurrection plans were revealed in 2009
Dallas Observer: Meet the Artists, Crusaders and Revivalists Rediscovering Dallas’ Blues Heritage September 2016
Destination: Dallas Art+Music+BBQ Edition July 2016
The Kessler: An Art Deco Mecca For Music Lovers May 2015
Dallas Observer: The Texas Music Bucket List – #15 Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff Mar. 2015
Dallas Morning News GuideLive: Five Unforgettable Shows from the Kessler Theater’s First Five Years Mar. 2015
Dallas Observer: How The Kessler Theater Pulled Off One of Dallas Music’s Most Unlikely Comebacks Mar. 2015
CBS DFW: Oak Cliff’s Kessler Theater Draws Future Grammy Nominees Feb. 2015
CentralTrack: Circle of Friends – Scenes from Saturday’s North Oak Cliff Music Festival Oct. 2014
Dallas Observer: Best of Dallas – Best Live Music Venue 2014 Sept. 2014
Dallas A-List: Best Live Music Venue 2014 July 2014
Dallas Morning News: Kessler Theater building gains listing on National Register of Historic Places Mar. 2014
Dallas Observer: Best of Dallas – Best Live Music Venue 2013 Sept. 2013
CentralTrack: Kessler Theater Announces Three-Year Anniversary Party Mar. 2013
Oak Cliff People: People’s Choice Awards: Best Performing Arts Venue and Live Music Venue 2012 Jan. 2013
NBC DFW: Kessler Theater Bridges Yesterday and Tomorrow Jan. 2012
Oak Cliff Advocate: Kessler Theater Wins Business of the Year Dec. 2011
Dallas Observer: Best of Dallas – Best Live Music Venue 2011 Sept. 2011
New York Times: Not J.R.’s Kind of Town June 2011
YouPlusMedia: The Orbans Rock The Kessler Theater… Feb. 2011
Oak Cliff People: People’s Choice Awards – Best Performing Arts Venue 2010 Dec. 2010
Oak Cliff Advocate: Kessler Theater/Edwin Cabaniss gets Conservation Award Nov. 2010
Dallas Voice: Art in the Cliff Oct. 2010
Associated Content: Small-business owners lead Oak Cliff’s revival Oct. 2010
Dallas Observer: Best of Dallas – Best Backstage Sept. 2010
KERA Art & Seek: Resurrection of The Kessler Mar. 2010
Critics’ Comments
“The Kessler Theater is one such gem, an Art Deco beauty … for a slice of real life, there’s always the Kessler.” – Ben Fountain, New York Times
“…one of the best listening rooms I’ve ever been in, and was shocked by the hipness of its environs.” – Joe Nick Patoski, author, Willie Nelson, an Epic Life
“Best sounding room in the state…” – Jaime-Paul Falcon, Dallas Observer
“The acoustics and ambiance are spectacular – the Kessler is a true ‘listening room’ with emphasis on the artist-audience connection.” – Dallas Morning News
“…the Kessler, one of the few venues in town capable of cultivating such a setting, the feel of an intimate house show.” – Preston Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“Best live music room in Texas.” – Michael Corcoran, Music Writer
“…the best-run, most consistent venue in all of North Texas.” – Pete Freedman, Central Track
“Its immaculate sound and respectful crowds afford every show the opportunity to be something truly memorable” – Dallas Observer, Best of Dallas Award
“I’m not sure there’s another venue in Texas that can touch the Kessler.” – Chuck Cox, Oak Cliff People
“I think it’s the best music venue in the country.” – Eric Nadel, Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Live Music Fan
“It’s the perfect venue for experiencing music. Acoustically, it is a mini Mort Meyerson.” – Vic Savelli, Pegasus News
“…kick-ass theater… choosy as hell with their programming.” – Dallas Observer
“…the Kessler, probably the best ‘listening room’ in Dallas or Fort Worth since the demise of Caravan of Dreams” – Ken Shimamoto, Ft. Worth Music Critic
“Since its rebirth five years ago, there’s been no better place to catch a marquee act’s performance in the state.” – Jaime-Paul Falcon, Dallas Observer
“If you’re going to see any canonized yet unconventional musician where every note counts, you can do no better than the Kessler’s listening room.” – Christopher Mosley, D Magazine
“…the Kessler is the best small venue in the state.” – Danny Balis, Dallas Radio Personality & Musician
Artists’ Comments
“…phenomenal sound and lights and audience…everything else kinda fell by the wayside when it came time to record a live album.” – Ray Wylie Hubbard
“This is the perfect kind of venue. I love it. This is now one of my favorite venues.” – Lucinda Williams
“…one of the best rooms in the country.” – Bob Schneider
“…a beautiful building with fine acoustics and a very ‘hip’ crowd! Definitely one of the highlights of our tour” – The Zombies
“Dallas finally has a world class venue. The Kessler is perfect.” – Kevin Russell of Shinyribs and The Gourds
“It’s a great vibe and superb place to play. The Kessler puts on a great production that really shows how much they love art and music.” – The Orbans
“What a great space! So many wonderful souls.” – Lisa Fischer
“…one of the best venues in Texas … everything is pretty much perfect at The Kessler Theater.” – Terri Hendrix
“The Kessler Theater is one of my new favorite venues to play.” – Marc Cohn
“The Kessler is the coolest joint in town.” – Hayes Carll
“The Kessler is sexy AF!” – Matt Nathanson
“The Kessler is such a damn great venue.” – Dave Alvin
Awards
2016, Best All-Ages Venue, Best of Dallas Award, Dallas Observer
2016, Best Album Release Show (Jacob Metcalf at The Kessler), Best of Dallas Award, Dallas Observer
2015, Obelisk Award: Outstanding Arts Alumnus, Business Council for the Arts
2015, Best All-Ages Venue, Best of Dallas Award, Dallas Observer
2014, Best Live Music Venue, Best of Dallas Award, Dallas Observer
2014, Best Live Music Venue, Dallas A List
2013, Best Live Music Venue, Best of Dallas Award, Dallas Observer
2012, Best Live Music Venue, People’s Choice Award, Dallas Observer
2012, Best Performing Arts Venue, People’s Choice Award, Dallas Observer
2011, Preservation Dallas, Preservation Achievement Award
2011, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Business of the Year
2011, Best Live Music Venue, Best of Dallas Award, Dallas Observer
2010, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Business of the Year
2010, OOCCL, Ruth Chenoweth Conservation Achievement Award
2010, Dallas Business Journal’s Real Estate Deal of the Year, Neighborhood Impact
2010, People’s Choice Winner, Best Performing Arts Venue, Dallas Observer