“Rosebud Theater Shines Bright on Opening Night in Roseburg”
photo by Reed Perry
REED PERRY The News-Review
Roseburg’s long-awaited Rosebud Theater opened its doors on Friday, Dec. 27, marking the start of a new era for entertainment in the city. The venue, located at 663 SE Jackson St, drew large crowds for its debut, and the evening was kicked off with a performance by The Polyrhythmics, which sounds like a heart condition, but is actually a popular Seattle-based funk instrumental group with a brass section.
The Rosebud Theater is housed in a brick building in the center of downtown with a rich history. Originally built in 1909, the space was once home to Chapman’s Pharmacy. Now, it has been transformed into a lively venue, blending the charm of its century-old architecture with a modern, stylish interior. The design features unique details like old pianos embedded into the bar, illuminated with motion-activated LED lights that add to the updated vintage vibe.
The upstairs has seating overlooking the stage, a psychedelic mural and intricately carved woodwork along the antique handrails and balconies.
I had the chance to speak with Kristi Rifenbark, one of the co-founders of the Rosebud, who shared her excitement about the opening. “We have community connections with the Polyrhythmics, so we wanted to have them at the venue. It just happened to be our opening night,” Kristi explained. “We saw them perform in Eugene and loved the energy they bring. We knew they’d be perfect for our first show.”