The KiMo Theatre

Yesterday….

The KiMo Theatre opened on September 19, 1927, as a pueblo deco “picture” (movie) palace and vaudeville theater. On that opening night, an overflow crowd watched performances by representatives from nearby Indian pueblos and reservations. Isleta Pueblo Governor Pablo Abeita won a prize of $50, a magnificent sum for the time, for naming the new theater. Reflecting the optimism of the time, “KiMo” is a combination of two Tiwa words, meaning “mountain lion,” but liberally interpreted as “king of its kind.”

Vivian Vance, who gained fame as Lucille Ball’s sidekick in the “I Love Lucy” series, performed at the KiMo. The theater also hosted such stars as Sally Rand, Gloria Swanson, Tom Mix and Ginger Rogers.

Today….

The KiMo Theatre is a vibrant center for performing arts that strives to entertain, educate and inspire the community with music, dance, theater, film, lectures, and spoken word from around the world. The KiMo also houses a gallery space that can be rented for the presentation of performing arts and private events.

The KiMo Theatre is operated by the Keshet/KiMo Partnership, which is a collaboration between the City of Albuquerque and Keshet Dance Company. As the newly-designated resident dance company of the KiMo Theatre, Keshet will be renovating and then residing in the Freed building, adjacent to the KiMo, which will also provide additional and much needed stage support areas for the historic theater.