Support the Project: Our Crowdfunding Shop is Now Open!
As of October 20th, we’ve raised $41,847 — 38.0% of our crowdfunding goal.
Perks: CDs, Posters, Postcards & More in the Crowdfunding Shop.
Make a Direct Contribution – Proceeds fund the production.
Photo of Vicki Bock (colloquially known as the Organ Grinder’s “Monkey Lady”) with two good friends.
You can help support the project by purchasing from the Crowdfunding Shop.
This childhood drawing was provided by an Organ Grinder fan who spent hours creating elaborate scenes of their dream pipe organ. This instrument has everything – note the inclusion of not one, but two pianos! Sign up for our email newsletter and receive updates about the project. First name Last name Email
Let’s go celebrity spotting… The Organ Grinder was a unique and popular place that drew visitors from all over, including Hollywood celebrities. (And local celebrities, too!) Pictured above is comedian Rip Taylor (center) at Organ Grinder Denver, along with Organ Grinder co-founder Jerry Forchuk (left) and Al Fike, “The modern minstrel man”. After talking with…
Rich Greenland, that’s who! Rich lives near the Wurlitzer Building in North Tonawanda, New York. In 2023, Rich took extensive drone videos of the site, and posted excerpts of the footage to YouTube: Rich has graciously licensed his footage for use in the Organ Grinder documentary. A bit of history: Already an established company making…
As mentioned in our post about the Kenosha Theatre, the story of the Organ Grinder is also the story of the movie palace and the theatre pipe organ. We’ve previously been lucky to obtain and restore rare footage of the Oriental Theatre in Portland, Oregon. The Oriental’s Wurlitzer was the basis of the instrument in…
This week, we visited the Architectural Heritage Center in Portland, Oregon to view the Will Martin archives. Will Martin was the architect who designed the unique Organ Grinder building. Will is most famous for designing Pioneer Courthouse Square in Downtown Portland. Among other items, we found this concept drawing of the Organ Grinder exterior, rendered…
Don Feely performs The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa at the Organ Grinder restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Includes a special appearance by the mechanical chimp! Originally recorded early February, 1996 by Ted Welty. Sign up for our email newsletter and receive updates about the project. First name Last name Email
