A positive experience

Growing up in Tulsa, I always heard about Cain’s Ballroom, but in passing. Regardless, I had always expected it to be a formal dance hall as the name suggests. I had always thought it was odd when rock or metal bands advertised they would be playing there but I paid it no mind, figuring the prices to rent it out were better than the BOK center or due to following size. I was wrong, something I came to find out the first time I ever attended for my all-time favorite band. Turns out that Cain’s was one of those places that bands always want to play at least once, having a magical appeal. I can confidentially say that it does have a magical quality about it. 

I’m sure most concert halls do, but something about the rough and not quite dated, but rugged mix of architectural styles of the exterior just doesn’t match the interior and its purpose. The beamed roof and exposed ceiling of course look cool, but the function of it for the acoustics to dome over the crowd can be easily overlooked. 

I will also add that while the interior and exterior of Cain’s is like day and night, so is the exterior during the day and during the night. The lights of the city and their signs just draw your eye, the jagged rooftop line fading at night to focus on the gleams of light passing through the frosted windows along with snippets of music or cheering is such a sharp contrast to its silent, almost intimidating white washed brick structure during the day. One could compare it to a moody, hungover fan come waking up after a night out. 

Featured Image from: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2020/10/22/fundraising-concert-rock-folk-chili-cook-planned-tulsas-historic-cains-ballroom-with-format-pandemic/305132007/

Blog Image from: https://tulsaworld.com/entertainment/star-gazing-who-has-stars-on-cains-ballroom-walk-of-fame/article_a3c05153-6fce-5436-b80c-e6710a8c58f6.html