by Jessica Del Curto
Daily Lobo
For years the Sunshine Theatre has been a reliable venue that has attracted musicians big and small from all over the country.
Since 1984, the medium-sized theater has provided a stage for Grammy award-winning artists such as Pancho Sanchez, struggling local bands and DJs, and has welcomed all ages through its doors.
But since the recent death of 16-year-old Marissa Mathy-Zvaifler of Santa Fe, the music venue has been scrutinized by the public and has left some wondering about its future.
Mathy-Zvaifler was attending an Atmosphere concert at the Sunshine Theatre with friends on July 16 when she got separated from the group and never returned home. Later, her body was found in a storage closet in the theater, having been strangled to death. Dominic Akers, a registered sex offender, was a janitor at the theater and has been arrested in connection with the murder.
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Vincent Johnson, general manager and spokesman for the Sunshine Theatre, said that because of this incident, he now feels compelled to do thorough background checks on every employee, even those hired to clean toilets.
"We have a janitor who has slipped through the cracks, and I think it's raised everyone's level of awareness," Johnson said.
Johnson said that the theater has always exceeded the level of security standards, and that night was no exception. There were about 890 patrons at the event, with 16 security officers on duty.
"This was an isolated event," he said. "As horrific as it was, Albuquerque relies on Sunshine being open, and it's important we continue to do what we're doing."
Many agree that the Sunshine Theatre, located at 120 Central Ave. SW, is important to the culture of Albuquerque. The Sunshine Building, which first opened in 1924 as a 920-seat movie theater, was one of the city's tallest buildings. It continued to show films until the 1980s.
In 1984, the building was turned into the Zone Nightclub, and was remodeled to allow live music performances. Then in 1998, Moonlight Enterprises took over and the Sunshine Theatre became a full-fledged music venue, which now books about 12 shows a month.
"Sunshine Theatre has an atmosphere that no other venue has, and I've been to concerts all over the country," said Gary Allison, a UNM student and hip-hop artist who has performed several times at the theater. "When you enter the dark walkway, and all you see is the stage and the people in the lights, it has a real unique feel."
Allison added that the Sunshine Theatre has a good relationship with promoters, and this is part of the reason that so many bands, with all different levels of fame, grace its stage. "Sunshine promotes local artists, as well as big-name commercial artists, so knowing that I am sharing the stage with groups such as Nas, the Roots, or Outkast is exciting."
Christi Clow, 20, has been to many shows at the theater, and agrees that it is unlike other venues.
"I like how personal the concerts are," Clow said. "It is so small, but they bring in so many big acts. Anyone can get up close to the stage and be within feet from the artist. It's also not uncommon to meet the artists after the show. That wouldn't happen at Tingley."
Johnson said it's frustrating that critics are trying to place the blame for the murder on the Sunshine's all-ages scene and that it's a shame because the level of quality acts have increased since the theater opened its doors to all ages.
"Numerous bands demand that they only perform at all-ages show, and that is one of the reasons we are able to bring so many great musicians to Albuquerque," he said.
Johnson stresses that the Sunshine Theatre has an impressive overall track record, and that it's a relatively safe place.
According to the Albuquerque Fire Department, the theater has received fire code violations in the past, but owners have always complied with the orders issued.
Yet despite what the records say, the murder of Mathy-Zvaifler may linger in concertgoer minds and prevent some from attending shows there.
"It wouldn't stop me from going there, and I'm sure that most college kids wouldn't be too afraid," Clow said. "But I can imagine that a lot of younger kids will be restricted by their parents from now on."
Allison said that as unfortunate as the murder is, he has no intentions to stop performing or attending shows.
"People just need to be aware when they go out, especially at night," Allison said.
For now, Johnson said that the theater plans to go forth with its upcoming shows and continue to bring acts to Albuquerque. Loyal Sunshine fans agree that the show must go on.
"The Sunshine Theatre is part of downtown Albuquerque's history," Clow said. "I have seen so many of my favorite underground artists that I probably otherwise never would have seen. People need to realize the importance of the place."
