The Haight Theater opened on March 8th, 1910 at 1700 Haight Street, at the northwest corner of Haight and Cole in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, with one screen and a whopping 1,310 seats. The theater’s first night was marked by a sellout crowd (organized by the Ashbury Club), as well as a speech by then-mayor Patrick Henry McCarthy. It was built at a cost of $33,000. Since both movies and vaudeville acts were popular at the time, the theater boasted a complicated system of lines and pulleys, allowing it to move backdrops quickly. The Haight orchestra would often play live music to accompany the double features, foreign films, and films of every genre.
By the 1950s, many neighborhood theaters were struggling to survive. Families had moved out to the suburbs, and television was spreading like wildfire, providing stiff competition to the theater experience. When the Haight Theater changed hands in 1964, new owners Bernie Meshioff and Francis Rizzo decided to transform it into an experimental gay theater, the first of its kind.
“The walls in the lobby were painted black, and the murals—newly painted—depicted young men in various poses,” wrote the Chronicle in a July 28, 1964 profile. “Very little was left to the imagination.” Admission was $2, and included a drag show after the movie; the mezzanine featured art exhibits from local college students. The first title shown was Ed Wood’s 1953 camp classic Glen or Glenda, a semi-autobiographical docudrama about transsexuality and cross-dressing.
Given the era, the Haight Theater’s neighbors were outraged. In an August 1, 1964 article, the Chronicle describes a community meeting that attracted 60 area residents, who complained about having to explain the posters on the front of the theater to their children. Many feared that the homosexual theater would be contagious, though at least one student, Stephen De Canio, defended the theater, stating his belief that “this group has a prejudice against homosexuals.”
At the meeting, police assured residents that they were keeping an eye on the theater. In fact, Rizzo complained of police harassment in the July 28, 1964 article, noting that officers went into the theater hourly to stand by the door. Residents falsely accused the theater of showing pornography, demanding that Rizzo and Meshioff either switch back the theater back to showing family-friendly films or close down. The duo refused, citing the theater’s lack of financial success. “This used to be a family theater. It went broke,” Rizzo told the Chron. “They tried everything: art films, foreign films, Spanish-speaking films—and it went bust!”
A few days after the theater’s reopening, a dozen 12- to 14-year-old boys and their mothers staged a protest, chanting “Put the hex on sex! We want Tarzan!” On August 11th, 1964, the Chronicle reported that seven youths from Marin were arrested for disturbing the peace at the theater, while Meschioff was arrested for filing a false police report, after accusing the kids of trying to rob him. An employee later admitted that Meschioff had pressured him to go along with the lie. The charges against the kids were dropped.
In an August 19, 1964 article, the Chronicle reported on the “sordid end” of the Haight Theater. Meshioff and Rizzo had reportedly run off overnight, leaving behind not only the theater, but their Buena Vista Avenue home, a bench warrant and a series of bounced checks and unpaid bills. They were said to have fled San Francisco “in a new convertible with two female impersonators in the back seat.”
The Haight Theater remained vacant for a couple of years, until a group of five young local artists took ownership of the space and reopened it in August 1967. In a riff on the prior controversy, they renamed it the Straight Theater. (The marquee announced that “The Haight Is Straight!”). The group spent 18 months renovating the building’s 4,200-square-foot parquet floor, which had been flooded by two feet of water.
The Straight Theater had a 40-foot-high screen with full projection and sound booths, with a capacity of 1,400. In its first three weeks of life, it hosted a poetry reading, a play, and a Grateful Dead concert. The group had plans to convert the building next door, a former Masonic hall, into a dance and drama school, photo studio, and arts and crafts studio.
In August 1967, the Straight Theater applied for a permit to hold dances, but was denied by the SFPD. At a two-hour permit hearing at the Hall of Justice, representatives of The Straight Theater argued that the dances would bring in money that could fund other cultural programs. But local residents protested a potential influx of people into an area already filled with hippies. As the police noted, there was “a high incidence of crime when folk-rock concerts were held in other areas of the city.”
Despite the denial of their permit, the Straight Theater found a loophole. An October 2, 1967 article described crowds forming to sign up for the dance school, with the Grateful Dead setting up their equipment to play for the dance “classes.” When it wasn’t holding clandestine shows, the Straight Theater still played movies; it was the first Bay Area theater to show the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour. It also hosted weddings, including that of one of the owners.
On October 18th, 1967, the theater played host to a conference about runway kids, which quickly descended into chaos. Protesters angry about various issues, from the Vietnam War to police brutality against African-Americans, got into screaming matches. But the real issue ended up being a nude dance performance that concluded the conference, featuring three women and three men, which caused the police to storm the stage. Though the crowd created a curtain to allow the performers to quickly get dressed, the damage was done.
The Straight Theater held out until the summer of 1969, with a final show from Bessie Jones & the Georgia Sea Islanders. One of the theater’s owners stated that the increased presence of hard drugs and crime in the Haight had ruined the scene at the Straight. By 1970, the Straight had been shut down and abandoned.
From 1969 to 1973, the Straight Theater sat abandoned. Photos from the time show posters lining its exterior, in the manner of a construction site, but no building was actually going on. In April 1973, 30 artists, dancers, and musicians staged a press conference to encourage the city to abandon the proposed $18 million performing arts center downtown and focus on neighborhood community centers instead. They argued that renovating the Straight Theater would cost the city a mere $250,000, “equal to 58 parking spaces in the proposed downtown performing arts center.”
In August 1973, the artists proposed transforming the Haight Theater, the former Masonic hall next door, and six other vacant storefronts on the 1700 block of Haight into a community center that would offer classes in dance, puppetry, painting, sculpture and music. This plan was abandoned when three architects inspecting the site were attacked by members of the White Panther Party and People’s Ballroom Coalition, who also wanted a part of the center. The idea was formally dropped, and in 1981, the Straight Theater was demolished.
The former site of the theater sat empty until August 1987, when drugstore chain Thrifty attempted to move in. Regulations at the time prohibited new stores larger than 2,500 square feet in neighborhood shopping districts, but Thrifty, claiming they had the support of 460 “silent majority” residents, launched a $60,000 public-relations campaign.
The Haight-Ashbury Preservation Society fought the chain, arguing that the neighborhood already had one drugstore and that allowing a chain store would open the floodgates for others. Nonetheless, it were overruled by the Planning Commission, and in November 1987, the Board of Supervisors voted 6-5 to approve the Thrifty.
On the morning of September 22nd, 1988, a fire erupted at the Thrifty construction site. An unknown arsonist started the blaze by splashing gasoline over the floors and wood walls of the building; two five-gallon cans of gas were found at the scene of the fire. A Chronicle article noted that firefighters arrived on the scene to find area residents “standing around, applauding the fire.”
No one was injured in the blaze, though 10 neighboring buildings sustained $3 million in damage, and 60 people were displaced. Mayor Art Agnos offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist, which grew to $25,000 after a contribution from the president of the Fire Commission. Despite the reward, however, no suspect was ever found, and Thrifty abandoned its plans, noting in a statement that "recent events raise serious concerns over the ultimate safety of the neighborhood."
After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake destroyed Goodwill’s headquarters at Fifth and Howard streets, the charitable thrift-store organization decided to embark on a massive expansion, opening their sixth San Francisco store at 1700 Haight in June 1991. They’ve been there ever since.
The Shows
May 19, 1966 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Benefit for the Straight Theater, with Grateful Dead, Michael McClure, Wildflower, Ed Bullins, Black Arts West, The Outfit, Lights by Reginald)
1967
March 5, 1967 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (Benefit for a New Stage and Straight Theater, with Country Joe and the Fish, Moby Grape, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Sparrow & guests Grateful Dead & Michael McClure)
April 5, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Communication Company Meeting. Kiva, Straight Theater, Church of One, Family Dog and Diggers)
June 15, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Christening. Grateful Dead, Wildflower, Straight Theater Dancers, Lights by Reginald)
July 21, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Opening Weekend. Quicksilver Messenger Service, Mount Rushmore, Salvation Army Banned, Mother Earth, The Dossier (Live Theater – Straight Theater Company), Lights by Reginald)
July 22, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Opening Weekend. Country Joe and The Fish, Charlatans, Blue Cheer, Freedom Highway, The Dossier (Live Theater – Straight Theater Company), Lights by Reginald)
July 23, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Opening Weekend. Grateful Dead, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Wildflower, Phoenix, The Dossier (Live Theater – Straight Theater Company), Lights by Reginald)
July 30, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
August 4-6, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Wildflower, (4th) Marlowe, (4th & 5th) Paul Arnoldi, (4th & 5th) Clover, (5th) Second Coming, (6th) Colours, (6th) Melvin Q Watchpocket, (6th) Preston Webster & Co.)
August 7, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
August 11-13, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Patrick Sky, (11th & 13th) Mount Rushmore, (11th) Freedom Highway, (12th) Clover, (12th) Morning Glory, (13th) Mad River)
August 14, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
August 18-20, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller Blues Band, Second Coming, Congress of Wonders, Julius Caesar (Live Theater – Straight Theater Company)
August 19, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Opening of the Straight Theater Company presents "Julius Caesar" directed by Joseph Gostanian)
August 21, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
August 27, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
August 28, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 1-3, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Big Brother and the Holding Company, Southside Sound System & (1st) Freedom Highway, (2nd) Colours, (3rd) Phoenix)
September 4, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 10, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
September 11, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 15-16, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Steve Miller Blues Band, Billy Roberts (15th) Sopwith Camel, (16th) Notes from the Underground)
September 17, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Little Richard with an All Soul Revue, Big Daddy Spencer and his Blue Flames, the Flamettes, the Four Invaders, Kathy Sherman, Little Junior Sharper, Little Dennis)
September 18, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 21, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA ("Equinox of the Gods". Magick Powerhouse of Oz, Kenneth Anger, The Amazing Charlatans, Congress of Wonders, SF Mime Troupe, The Duncan Company, The Haight Street Dancers. On this evening, four 400 foot long reels containing the master cut of the film of Lucifer Rising was stolen from the theater with a number of other items. Kenneth Anger offered a significant reward)
September 22, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (North American Indian Unity Caravan (discussion session), Ron Thelin (films). Around noon the theater was made available to Indians in the North American Indian Unity Caravan. They discussed their religion, prophecies, life plan, or whatever else they wanted to talk about and answered questions)
September 23, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Movies. Starting at noon, movies by McDuck were shown for 25c entry. McDuck was "a non-profit visual organ for the Haight Ashbury and Fillmore District." Movies included "The Deerslayer," and a Laurel and Hardy flick, Putting Pants on Phillip, plus cartoons. Kenneth Anger's home is broken in to and movie equipment stolen)
September 24, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Malachi Price, Max Hartstein's Twenty Fifth Century Ensemble, a seven or eight piece orchestra, making its debut. One of their musicians has her flute stolen and Malachi has his 12 string guitar stolen before going on stage)
September 25, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry, Movies by McDuck - again for 50c "The Bridge" and some Chaplin films. Straight Theater loses it's appeal over gaining a Dance licence)
September 26, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Movies, Magic Powerhouse of Oz Movies (not by McDuck) - a portion of The Lady from Shanghai, Metropolis (with live accompaniment by the Magic Powerhouse of Oz), and Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome)
September 27, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mixed Mediathon Benefit for the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Anonymous Artists of America (AAA), Initial Shock, Poets, Jane Lapiner and Co perform "Waiting and Bodies")
September 28, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mixed Mediathon Benefit for the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Dr David Smith, Mad River, Poets, Jane Lapiner and Co perform "Waiting and Bodies")
September 29-30, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Grateful Dead, Sons of Champlin, First Straight Theater Dance Class)
October 1, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
October 2, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry with Lenore Kandel)
October 3, 1967 The Grateful Dead house at 710 Ashbury and The Blue Cheer House at 369 Haight Street are busted. It is suggested this was revenge for the Dead playing the Dance Class at the Straight to by-pass the ruling that forbade the Straight from holding dances.
October 4-5, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Benefit for the Hip Medical Clinic. Fred Neil, Hugh Masekela, Shel Sllverstein, Sopwith Camel, Jane Lapiner and Co perform "Waiting and Bodies")
October 6-7, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Unknown. Likely date for a cancelled Blue Cheer show)
October 8, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
October 9, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
October 13-15, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Kaleidoscope, Lightnin' Hopkins, Martha’s Laundry, Lights by The Aerial Transit Co., Straight Lightning, Environmental Dance Classes)
October 16, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry with Lenore Kandel)
October 20-21, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Charlatans, Congress of Wonders, Ann Halprin, Original Soft Pretzel)
October 22, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA ("Shire School Benefit". Matinee: Art Lewis, John Handy Quintet, Charlie Musselwhite Blues Band, Jon Hendricks & Others. Evening: Serpent Power, Phoenix, Black Swan, Congress Of Wonder & Others)
October 23, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (The Lady Aoi and Kantan (Noh Plays performed by the Straight Theater Company), Poetry with Lenore Kandel)
October 27-28, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Charlie Musselwhite, Wildflower, Preston Webster and Co.)
October 29, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
October 30, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry with Lenore Kandel)
November 3-4, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Kinetic Dance Happening. The Incredible Fish, PH Phactor Jug Band, Congress of Wonders, Ann Halprin)
November 6, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry with Michael McClure)
November 12, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
November 13, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry with Michael McClure)
November 14, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, John Fahey)
November 17-18, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Quicksilver Messenger Service, John Fahey, Indian Headband, (18th only) Emperor Jones & Jack De Govia (Live Theater – Straight Theater Company)
November 19, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Country Joe McDonald, John Fahey)
November 20, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry with Michael McClure)
November 26, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
November 27, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry with Michael McClure)
December 1-3, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mad River, Santana Blues Band and others)
December 4, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
December 8-10, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mt. Rushmore, The Phoenix, The Psycle, Larry and Sue-Rita)
December 11, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
December 15-17, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Company present Michael McClure's play "Blossom" & Antonin Artaud's play "The Philosophers Stone")
December 18-21, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mt Rushmore)
December 21-23, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Company present Michael McClure's play "Blossom" & Antonin Artaud's play "The Philosophers Stone")
December 22-23, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Clover, Black Swan)
December 24, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
December 26, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (2nd Annual Grope For Peace. Flying Tibetan Phurba, Santana)
December 28-30, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Company present Michael McClure's play "Blossom" & Antonin Artaud's play "The Philosophers Stone")
December 31, 1967 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stoned New Year. Charlatans, Salvation, Clover and Others)
1968
January 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
January 4-6, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Company present Michael McClure's play "Blossom" & Antonin Artaud's play "The Philosophers Stone")
January 7, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
January 8, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
January 9-11, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Notes from the Underground)
January 12-13, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Allmen Joy, The Womb)
January 14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
January 15, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
January 16-18, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Clover, Lights by Brotherhood of Light)
January 19-20, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Salvation, Indian Headband, Liberty Street, Lights by Brotherhood of Light)
January 21, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
January 22, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
January 23-25, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Charlatans, (Antonionni Film) "Red Desert")
January 26-27, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Sons of Champlin, Mad River Band, Peace)
January 28, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
January 29, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
January 30-February 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Santana Blues Band, (Fellini Film) "La Dolce Vita")
February 2-3, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mt. Rushmore, Phoenix, Martha's Laundry, Doug Williams)
February 4, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
February 5, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
February 6-8, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Blue Cheer, (film) "Cosmic Man")
February 9-10, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mother Earth, Wildflower, Liberty Street)
February 11, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
February 12, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
February 16-17, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Sons of Champlin, Salvation, Circus, Allmen Joy, Movies)
February 18, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music. Straight Theater was gassed by Police following violence in the Haight-Ashbury district)
February 19, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Peace and Freedom Party together with Haight-Ashbury residents hold a noon Community Meeting to discuss the previous days violence, Poetry)
February 25, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
February 26, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
February 27-29, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (McDuck, Allmen Joy)
March 1-2, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Charlie Musselwhite, Santana Blues Band)
March 3, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
March 4, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
March 5-7, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Siegel Schwall Blues Band, Movies: "The Island" & "The Freaks")
March 8-9, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mad River, Curly Cook Blues Band Frumious Bandersnatch)
March 10, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
March 11, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
March 12-14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (MT. Rushmore, (12th) Liberty Street, (13th) The Wedge, (14th) Womb, Films)
March 15-16, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Allmen Joy, (15th) Phoenix, (16th) Flamin' Groovies, Initial Shock)
March 17, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
March 18, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
March 19-21, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Kaleidoscope plus different films each night, Lights by Brotherhood of Light)
March 22-24, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (James Cotton Blues Band, Mint Tattoo, It's A Beautiful Day, Lights by Brotherhood of Light)
March 25, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
March 29-30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mount Rushmore, Freedom Highway, Liberty Street)
March 31, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
April 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
April 5-7, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (The Amazing Charlatans, Curley Cooke’s Hurdy Gurdy Band, Marble Farm, (7th only) Flamin' Groovies. Lights by Brotherhood of Light)
April 8, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
April 9-11, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Crome Syrcrus)
April 12-13, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Santana, Mad River, Dandelion Wine)
April 14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
April 15, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
April 21, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Malachi, Ashok Fakair (Holy Music)
April 22, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
April 24, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA ("Time Again to Save the Straight Theater". Big Brother and the Holding Company, Sons of Champlin, Congress of Wonders, Curley Cooke's Hurdy Gurdy Band, Indian Head Band, Ace of Cups, Phoenix , Lights by Straight Lightning)
April 28, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
April 29, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
May 3-4, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Sons of Champlin, Country Weather)
May 5, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Youngbloods, Country Weather, Frumious Bandersnatch, A B Sky Blues Band)
May 6, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
May 7-9, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Kaleidoscope, Santana)
May 10-11, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Santana Blues Band, Clover, Granny Goose)
May 12-13, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Amazing Charlatans, Flaming Groovies, Room Beyond The Closet (Live Theater – Straight Theater Company), Poetry)
May 14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Malachi, Favors)
May 16-17, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mad River, Frumious Bandersnatch)
May 18-19, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Allmen Joy (18th), Flamin' Groovies (19th), Curley Cooke's Hurdy Gurdy Band, Petrus)
May 20, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
May 24-25, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Charlie Musselwhite, Savage Resurrection, Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks)
May 26, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Afternoon. Benefit for the United Student Movement, with Notes from the Underground, Country Weather and Curly Cooks Hurdy Gurdy Band)
May 26, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Evening. Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
May 27, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
May 28-30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Allmen Joy, Indian Headband, Cleveland Wrecking Company)
May 31-June 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Notes From The Underground, Ace of Cups, Liberty Street)
June 2, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
June 3, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
June 7-9, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Salvation, Mt. Rushmore, Tree of Life)
June 10, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
June 14-15, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (The New Charlatans, Cleveland Wrecking Company, Uncut Balloon, Lights by Straight Lightning)
June 17, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
June 23, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Straight Theater Presents Free Music)
June 24, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
June 30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Lanaman (an afternoon of films); Evening: Allmen Joy, Curley Cook's Hurdy Gurdy Band, Jazz Semantics, Melting Pot, Mother Earth, Womb, Films including "West Africa - Another Vietnam?", Lights by Straight Lightning)
July 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
July 3, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Initial Shock, Allmen Joy, Indian Head Band, Phoenix, Poetry)
July 5, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 6, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 7, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 8, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
July 12, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Room Beyond the Closet (Live Theater – Straight Theater Company)
July 14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 15, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
July 19, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 20, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 21, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 22, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
July 26, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 27, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 28, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
July 29-31, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Phoenix, Freedom Highway, Others, Movies, Lights by Straight Lightning)
August 2-4, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Congress of Wonders, Allmen Joy, Phoenix, (play) "Room Beyond The Closet")
August 5, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
August 12, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
August 19, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
August 26, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
August 30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
August 31, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 2, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 6, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 7, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 8, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 9, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Congress of Wonders, Movie: Revolution Movie (featuring Country Joe and The Fish, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Steve Miller)
September 15, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 16, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 20, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 21, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 22, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 23, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Poetry)
September 27, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 28, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 29, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
September 30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class) October 4, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 5, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 6, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 7, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
October 10, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Runaway Emergency Symposium, Huckelberry & Happening House)
October 11, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 12, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 13, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 14, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
October 15-17, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Carnival and Resurrection of the Blind God Orpheus Under the Tower in the Place of the Lost Souls (Nude Theater by Monty Pike)
October 18, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 19, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 20, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 21, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
October 22-24, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Carnival and Resurrection of the Blind God Orpheus Under the Tower in the Place of the Lost Souls (Nude Theater by Monty Pike)
October 25, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 26, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 27, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
October 28, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
October 29-30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Carnival and Resurrection of the Blind God Orpheus Under the Tower in the Place of the Lost Souls (Nude Theater by Monty Pike)
November 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 2, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 3, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 4, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class) November 5, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (The End of the War)
November 8, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 9, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 10, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 11, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class) November 15, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 16, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 17, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 18, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
November 22, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Movies: Magical Mystery Tour, Commision Exhibit 886)
November 24-25, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Freedom Highway, Clover, Psycle, Doug Williams, (25th) Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
November 29, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
November 30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
December 1, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Films)
December 2, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
December 9, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
December 16, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
December 18, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Peter, Paul & Mary; Movie: You Are What You Eat)
December 20-22, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Allmen Joy (20th & 22nd), Clover (21st), Indian Pudding and Pipe)
December 23, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
December 30, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Stephen Gaskin's Monday Night Class)
December 31, 1968 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Indian Pudding and Pipe, Allmen Joy, Freedom Highway, Congress of Wonders, Clover)
1969
January 17-19, 1969 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Magical Mystery Tour, Indian Pudding and Pipe (SF Sound)
March 4, 1969 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Living Theater at the Straight - Live Radical Theater from New York)
March 5-6, 1969 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Congress of Wonders; Movie: Magical Mystery Tour)
March 12, 1969 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Mt. Rushmore, Flamin' Groovies)
March 14-16, 1969 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (MC5, Zenta, Congress of Wonders, Clover)
April 1-5, 1969 Straight Theater, San Francisco, CA (Messiah’s One World Crusade: Sons of Champlin, Passion, Marvin Gardens, The Angels Own Band Chorus, Bicycle, Asoke Fakir, Morning Glory, Congress of Wonders, Rush, Last Mile, Glass Mountain Messiah’s One World Crusade)
August 13, 1979 The Straight Theater is demolished