The Oakland Theater Project is set to transform the former New Parish site at 1743 San Pablo Ave. into a dual-purpose performance venue, incorporating live R&B, funk, and hip-hop shows alongside its theatrical programming.
Brooklyn Sound Lab, led by Ray and Melissa Archie, will manage the music curation for the space.
- Brooklyn Sound Lab will oversee music booking to ensure a high-end, white-glove experience for both artists and audiences.
- The 13,000-square-foot facility plans to utilize the existing outdoor courtyard while potentially removing the wrap-around balcony to improve venue acoustics.
- Live music events will be scheduled during periods when the theater is dark, such as weeknights or gaps between theatrical productions.
The New Parish, which first opened its doors in 2009, served as a foundational stage for artists including Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, Daniel Caesar, and Olivia Dean. KQED reported that Ray Archie, a multi-instrumentalist and former CBS radio music director, intends to honor this history while modernizing the venue’s operational standards.
Archie, who has spent the last four years working with the Oakland Theater Project (OTP) as a sound designer and music director, views the collaboration as a natural evolution.
“From a booking and curation standpoint, it’s making sure that we have our highly curated experience,” Archie told KQED. “Making sure that we’re providing both the audience and the artist a white-glove treatment. Thinking of this as a high-end experience.”
The transition from a dedicated nightclub to a hybrid performing arts center requires significant infrastructure adjustments. Archie said that the building’s wrap-around balcony, which he described as a “noise chimney,” hampers the sound quality required for professional theater. Removing this feature is a priority for the upcoming remodel.
While the main room currently holds a 300-person capacity, plans are in development for a smaller, 125-seat secondary space. This configuration mirrors the symbiotic relationship seen at New York’s Public Theater and Joe’s Pub, where theater and live music occupy the same footprint without direct competition.
| Feature | Capacity / Detail |
|---|---|
| Main Room Capacity | 300 |
| Proposed Secondary Space | 125 |
| Total Property Size | 13,000 sq. ft. |
Archie is acutely aware of the historical challenges surrounding live music in Oakland, specifically the past police scrutiny of rap performances at venues like the site’s predecessor, Sweet Jimmie’s. However, he maintains that the local climate has shifted in favor of artistic expression.
“We’re in a different world,” Archie told KQED, citing the support of the city’s Cultural Affairs Commission and the successful integration of rap programming at established venues like Yoshi’s. While Archie has not previously booked a live music venue, he said that he is currently assembling a team with deep experience in the Bay Area’s live music industry to execute the project’s vision.
The venue will operate on a schedule dictated by the theater’s needs, filling gaps between productions and during daytime rehearsals. Further details regarding the booking team and inaugural concert schedule are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
