El Campanil Theatre

Located in the heart of downtown Antioch, along the waterfront and in what is now known as the Rivertown Business District, El Campanil was owned and operated by the Stamm family for 75 Years, or until 2003. In 2001, a small group of local citizens, including representatives of the Rivertown Business District Association, approached the City of Antioch with their desire to find a way to acquire and restore El Campanil, and to convert its use to one supportive of the Rivertown Renaissance plan. The Rivertown Business District Association took the lead in securing funding from Calpine for the development of a comprehensive business plan for El Campanil Theatre. The business plan outlined the best strategies for moving the project forward and VenueTech Management Group, LLC, was retained to develop the plan. In July 2002, El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation was incorporated as a charitable, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. In early 2003, Calpine Corporation and the City of Antioch entered into an agreement whereby the Foundation received a grant to acquire the Theatre. In July, 2003 El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation purchased the Theatre and began the process of converting the building to a community performing arts venue. On July 4, 2004 the first phase of the rehabilitation was complete and the doors once again opened to the public. El Campanil Theatre presents a wide variety of entertainment opportunities including Foreign and Classic Films, Live Theatre, Concerts, Symphony, Ballet, Comedy and is host to numerous local dance and community based organizations. The rest of story continues today, and we hope to provide a chronicle of this success story through this website. Please check back often.