Back in the 1950s, Gene Autry opened a movie theater in Dallas that would later become a church and then a sweatshop. Today, the Kessler Theater, now owned by Edwin Cabaniss, has been renovated and reopened as a music and art venue that has been attracting indie bands and local artists ever since.

After being destroyed by a tornado in 1957 and then burned to the bones only a few years later, the renovation was past due. The building was left unused for over 30 years before Cabaniss had the dream to turn it into a Dallas live music venue. During the construction, Cabaniss decided to restore as much of the original charm as possible. His dreams were met when the first band finally played on its stage.

Upon entering the building, Dallas music aficionados are greeted with a mod atmosphere. There is white decor everywhere that is reminiscent of the fifties. The full service bar will fill your glass or your tummy. Once inside the theater area, there are tables and chairs facing the stage. Most days, you will see musical equipment being set up for the evening's concert. The smell of incense always enhances the mood of the room.

Upstairs, there is a small art gallery, complete with couches to sit and enjoy some good conversation. On the balcony, there are even more chairs, some of which are vintage theater seats. There is not a bad seat in the house.

The intimate atmosphere is perfect for enjoying some of the best music Dallas has to offer. Local bands such as Centro-matic, Pleasant Grove and Slobberbone have all performed sets in this cozy environment. The acoustics are excellent, and the sound carries well throughout the theater.

Unlike some other venues in Dallas, this one is far enough away from downtown that parking is never an issue. There are some spaces around the side of the building, but most patrons choose to park on the street. All of the parking is free.

Since its reopening, the Kessler Theater has been booking bands for almost every night of the week. There is not a weekend where one does not hear the bands rocking out when walking past the Kessler.