Kenyon Hall, one of West Seattle's first performance venues, has often been labeled the place to go for vaudeville and old-fashioned entertainment. But manager Lou Magor would characterize his unusual venue another way.

"We are a community hall," he said. "And as that, we just want to provide a place where people can come and enjoy themselves."

And that has been the case since 1916 when the building was constructed. Even then it was a community hall that held events such as dances, community theater and various musical performances.

"We really get a sense of the history in this area from the people who come in," said Magor. "They'll say, 'Gosh, my wife and I haven't danced here since the 1930s.' It's really great."

Things aren't much different now, said Magor, except Kenyon Hall now offers root beer floats and other goodies to go along with classic silent and sound films accompanied by a live organ, comedy juggling acts and song-and-dance duos with offbeat characters.

"Old-fashioned?" said Magor. "But so are root beer floats. I think (this kind of entertainment) is still viable today. I don't think anyone needs to know the history to enjoy it. Certain things last, and good entertainment is good entertainment."

While performing for an audience is something Magor treasures, at heart he is a music teacher. He earned a bachelor of music education and master of music degrees from Northwestern University in Chicago, where he later became a junior high and high school music teacher.

Magor made his way to Seattle in 1993. That same year he and then-partner Hokum W. Jeebs co-founded the performance hall.

Almost 90 years old, the building hasn't changed much in use or appearance.

But the most recent and probably most noticeable change has been the hall's name. Formerly called Hokum Hall, its board of directors recently voted to change the name to depict the hall's cross street (the hall is on the corner of Kenyon Street and 35th Avenue Southwest).

Magor would not comment on why the name was changed, but did say the board thought it would be easier for people to find. The new sign was painted and hung a few weeks ago.

Magor hopes to someday expand to the sidewalk with a caf/ and atrium. For now, though, the leaky roof must be replaced.

Fund-raising efforts and a small individual grant have moved them $13,500 closer to their goal of $17,000 for a new roof.

"People have really stepped up to donate," he said.

As well as managing Kenyon Hall, Magor teaches Kindermusik classes at the hall in conjunction with Tilden School, a West Seattle K-5 private school.

"It teaches brain development through music and movement, and it's just a musical way of creating healthy brains," he said. These sessions and classes in early childhood education bring in more than a third of the hall's revenue, Magor said.

Many of the hall's regular performers fill the bill, including organist Andy Crow and husband-and-wife song-and-dance duo Connie Corrick and Hugh Hastings. But increasingly more out-of-towners are being drawn to Kenyon's stage, said Magor.

A contact with an agent in Los Angeles has brought talents like well-known New York jazz bassist Jay Leonhart and folk songwriters Lou and Peter Berryman. The grandson of the famous actor and vaudevillian performer Groucho Marx is planning a visit to perform his one-man act, "Groucho's Grandson."

Perhaps what attracts them is the 1929 Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ that takes center stage in all shows at Kenyon Hall. Truly the prized possession of the performance center, the organ is celebrated each time it is switched on. A sign above center stage illuminates its name in green sparkling lights and the organ's pipes belt out each note.

"People love it," Magor said. "Bring your kids, bring your grandparents." He characterizes the material as "squeaky-clean" and said one of the most sought-after treats the hall offers is its somewhat famous root beer floats.

Magor said he often thinks back on what he once heard Groucho Marx say: "The past is dead. Bury the past."

"I like the idea of developing that kind of history with our performers," said Magor. "Do your work now and don't worry about the past or the future. That's how I have tried to live."

Dreams of becoming a destination theater for acts from around the world have been hindered in part because of very little media coverage, said Magor.

"Newspapers aren't sure where we fit in," he said. "It's been a slow building of an audience. You want people to talk about you, and that's what we are trying to create. If it takes root beer floats--fine."

Kenyon Hall is located at 7904 35th Ave. S.W. For reservations call 937-3613 or email reservations@kenyonhall.org. Tickets are also available at the door. The event schedule and ticket prices are available online at www.kenyonhall.org.

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached at rebekah@robinsonnews.com or 932.0300.