The Dickens Opera House, in downtown Longmont, was built in 1881 by a relative of Charles Dickens and retains the feel of an old-time theater. The venue's high ceilings, red velvet walls and black stone bar, while stately, stand in contrast to the overall homey feeling of the place. The Dickens, which can hold around 300 people, brings in a lot of great local talent four to five nights a week, but national acts have played the venue, too, including Kip Winger, Ryan McGarvey, Tesla's Frank Hannon, and high-profile blues acts such as Big Bill Morganfield (the son of Muddy Waters), Kenny Neal and Hamilton Loomis.