Birdland is a jazz club on Sesame Street owned and operated by Hoots the Owl, who typically performs with the house band (the Owl-Stars) or introduces many of their nightly acts.
An early incarnation was first mentioned in Episode 2209 as a club where Hoots used to hang out with Grandma Grace in Detroit. The Sesame Street location opened the following year and was first seen in Episode 2260.
Performers have included Joe Williams, Bobby McFerrin, Dorothy Donegan, and Michael Jeter (as Michael Tweeter). Olivia was also a frequent performer at the club.
Though many humans, Grouches, and monsters attend the club, the joint's main clientele are birds. This is heavily reflected by their menu, which offers such avian delicacies as caterpillar tartar and stuffed grasshopper. The club is also known to throw the occasional "Open Stage Night," where amateur performers can show their stuff.
Birdland primarily existed as an interior location. In season 25, when the show expanded Around the Corner, the club was given a geographical location on the street - right below the Furry Arms Hotel, with a neon sign outside in the alleyway. The location was last seen in Season 31.
Birdland is based on a real jazz club that was inspired by famed musician Charlie Parker, whose nickname was Bird and who served as the headliner for the club. The original Birdland was in operation from 1949-1965, but a club with the same name opened in 1986. That later version hosted a memorial for Mike Renzi after his passing in 2021.[1][2]
See also[]
Sources[]
- ↑ YouTube "Marilyn Maye tribute to Mike Renzi at Birdland" by Erik King, Oct 24, 2021
- ↑ Facebook "Thinking about my old friend and the producer of one of my albums, Mike Renzi, as people gather to honor him at Birdland today." by Bob McGrath, Oct 24, 2021