The Downtown Scene…Gilroy
The District, A Hot New
Entertainment Venue
T
he District Theater is new to
Downtown Gilroy and seems
destined to have a major impact on
the local music scene. Owner, Darin Dixon,
is one of those people whose life is consumed
by live music. Darin has an energy level
that would tire most people. In addition to
the new District Theater, he is the owner of
the Music Tree in Morgan Hill, does sound
mixing for KRTY, and plays music as often
as he can. A conversation with Darin is a
lesson in multi-tasking!
Darin envisions The District as the place
for musicians, and live performances…a local
School of Rock. At the Music Tree he offers
classes, recitals and workshops. The District
is currently open for music on Thursdays,
Fridays and Saturdays. Down the road, Darin
hopes to expand, offering performances on
other nights.
The District is, however, available for
special events seven days a week. Some of
the events they have hosted include birthday
and anniversary parties, a birthday party for a
four-year old that included a jump house and
disco lights on the dance floor, a Bachelorette
viewing party, Golden State Warriors’ play-
off games and a benefit for a boy needing
surgery. The District will soon hosta regularly
scheduled “District High,” an event for high
school students complete with “Moctails.”
20
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
It kind of feels like you are entering a
1920’s speakeasy as you enter the single
door entrance on Monterey Road and walk
down a long hallway, with an antique tiled
ceiling, that opens into a 5,000 square foot
space. The large black space has a raised
stage and a large sunken dance floor. One
side has an Academy Awards-like photo
wall with the mandatory red carpet. The
room is equipped with state-of-the-art
lighting and lasers. There is a sound system
that can handle all types of music. First
time visitors usually react with “Wow.”
In the back is a bar serving wine and
beer. Darin Dixon is very conscious of the
local connection and proudly serves local
wines and California craft beers. Four of
his bartenders also work at local wineries
and share their knowledge of the local
wines. Down the road, Darin is planning
to get a full bar license. Although The
District doesn’t have a kitchen, they offer
food-to-order from the nearby Milias
Restaurant, which delivers food from a
limited menu.
For more information on The District
Theater go to thedistricttheater.com. The
website has a complete list of upcoming
events and happenings. The District
Theater also has a Facebook page under
the name The District.
gmhtoday.com