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The curious name change of Verizon Wireless Theater: It's now Bayou Music Center — except on the sign

Verizon Wireless Theater is now Bayou Music Center. Courtesy of Bayou Music Center
News_Bayou Music Center_logo

Verizon Wireless Theater, that Bayou Place music mainstay, almost quietly has become the Bayou Music Center.

First indications of the new name came in early March, tucked inside of a weekly event calendar update from promoter Live Nation, with a simple acknowledgement in the venue column: "Bayou Music Center (Formally [sic] Verizon Wireless Theater)."

Houston Press first reported that the theater's sponsorship deal with Verizon had expired.

Now, nearly two months later, the signage outside has yet to reflect the name change — but a new website, an overhauled Facebook profile and an updated Twitter handle shows that the theater has adopted the new moniker online. 

Before it was known as Verizon, the venue opened in 1997 as Aerial Theater. The space has hosted a long list of musical acts throughout the years — from Sting to Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton to Kylie Minogue, Wilco to Dashboard Confessional — plus comedy shows, plays and other special events

We think that Bayou Music Center has a nice ring to it — less like a mall kiosk, and more like a downtown destination worthy of the caliber of touring bands it brings in.

Tell us: Which show at the (venue formerly known as) Verizon Wireless Theater did you find most memorable?

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