 The neighboring building, known as the Regency I Movie Theater was formerly the Regency Ballroom.In 2002, after learning from famous psychedelic poster artist Stanley Mouse that the building was available, neo-hippie Steve Shirley (aka Morning Spring Rain) of the Hog Farm commune and backed by partner Michael Lazar (owner of Shadow Lounge), partner Michael Conner and Brian Lucas (aka Moffett aka Chef BeLive), who was given a partnership for dedicating so much time and resources to get the venue up and running by orchestrating most of the volunteers, bringing early acts and many of the first concert goers; together they restored and re-opened the Avalon Ballroom 34 years after it had been closed.They created a delightful space that acts like George Clinton and P-Funk, Robert Hunter, Arlo Guthrie, Spearhead and many others played there.