The Swan Theatre and Supper Club had been operated by Ray Boyle and Robert Goodsitt starting in December 1961 but had suffered financial problems.
Joseph Balistrieri (son of Peter) and Mary Balistrieri, both of 1634 North Jackson Street, signed the articles of incorporation for Bals, Inc in front of notary public Henry G. Piano on June 24, 1965. Throughout its existence, Bals, Inc was a three person corporation —Peter served as president, Mary as vice president and Joseph as secretary-treasurer.
On June 25, Peter Balistrieri (acting as an agent of Bals) took out a Class B liquor license. He indicated that they had a lease on Swan Theatre (624 North Second) through June 1970 for $1,250 per month. The owner of the building was the Antlers Hotel (616 North Second).
July 7, 1965: A lengthy news article said Peter Balistrieri was looking to take over the Swan Theatre in the Antlers Hotel. Sol Blankstein of the Antlers confirmed there were talks, but said it might take “several weeks” for an agreement to be reached.
FBI agents met with an informant on July 16, 1965. The informant said there was someone accompanying Frank Balistrieri around the Swan Theatre lately, where Balistrieri intended to convert the place to a rock concert hall. The building had a capacity for 1,000 people, including 750 seats. The person with Balistrieri was a drama and choreograph enthusiast who possibly recently graduated from Marquette University. Also looking at the Swan were Peter Balistrieri and Joseph Maniaci.
Around July 27, 1965, Milwaukee city council granted Bals, Inc (Peter Balistrieri) a license to operate the Swan Theatre. He planned to run it as a theater, restaurant and cocktail lounge, with no one under 21 permitted.
At a party for Frank’s son Joseph Balistrieri in honor of his entering the practice of law at The Scene on September 5, 1965, attendees included Rockford LCN members Phil Priola, Sebastian “Knobby” Gulatta and Frank Buscemi. There were approximately 500 guests in all, including many, many Milwaukee hoodlums. Peter Sciortino was there with his wife and a son-in-law, dentist Dr. Maglio. Sam Ferrara was noticeably absent. Others present included deputy DA Aladdin DeBrozzo, a deputy clerk of court, aldermen Mark Ryan and Allen Calhoun, and various attorneys.
November 10, 1965: An informant told the FBI about The Scene. Balistrieri apparently treated employees “brusquely” and had a hard time keeping them. Of his original ten waitresses, none were still there. He was also disrespectful to entertainers. Gene Krupa had performed and sid he would never work for Balistrieri again. Chuck Berry made a similar comment, and was specifically upset that Balistrieri was slow in paying. Balistrieri had (redacted) back Berry into a corner and threaten physical violence if he did not perform. Duke Ellington cancelled an appearance, but Balistrieri continued to promote it as though he was still going to be there. In general, Balistrieri was slow to pay bills and had not paid the electrician who hooked up the outside sign.
November 17, 1965: An informant told SA Thompson that he was told by Jerry DiMaggio that when Dick Gregory was at The Scene, the place was empty and lost money. Business was not much better for Milt Trinier.
December 5, 1965: The Teamsters had a Christmas party at the Scene with 250-300 people. Several local politicians and judges were present, including Judge Sullivan.
April 8, 1966: An informant said that Balistrieri was remodeling the Scene by taking out concrete seats to create one large, level floor. After completion (roughly April 30), the venue celebrated with two bands in one night and the place was filled to capacity: 1,000 folks.
Sam Giancana was in Milwaukee on June 15, 1966 and met with Frank Balistrieri at the Scene. Around this time, the Shags were performing five nights a week at the Scene and were being paid $1000 per week to do so. They were not happy with the job; despite being paid well, they did not like the way Balistrieri managed the place and their manager was punched by an employee of Balistrieri’s at Le Bistro. (The FBI categorized the Shags as a band that caters to “the coffee house-student crowd” and “long hair eccentrics”. The FBI said all the band members attended Layton Art School on North Prospect.)
Ray Charles and his orchestra appeared at the Scene nightclub from September 9 through the 14, 1966. The cost for these six nights was supposed to be $20,000. An informant said Balistrieri had paid only $18,000, and also convinced Charles to stay six days rather than three at no extra cost. While Charles was in town, the Scene was frequented by a well-known Milwaukee Negro (redacted) and his two white women, one with red hair and one with black. There was speculation that Ray Charles was “too big” for the Scene, with his price tag making it financially risky for a space that small. Also around this time, Nancy Wilson performed at the Scene.
Employees and Balistrieri would be regularly harassed by the law at the venue, which he used to entertain friends and local politicians. Notable incidents may come up in future podcasts, but it was largely an endless list of small violations like underage drinking. Later (by 1972) the venue became Balistrieri’s Center Stage Playhouse.