Media Kit
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS!!! It was on September 6, 1926 that the 900-seat Arcada Theatre first opened its doors to a Vaudeville audience and a short “Our Gang Comedy” film. Eighty years later, Ron Onesti came to St. Charles to take over the reins of the theatre, which was days away from becoming an office complex, and turned it into one of the most popular live music venues in the country.
The Arcada Theatre, located in downtown St. Charles, is nearly 100 years old! With over 200 concerts and events each year, it’s clear why it has been voted the “Best Live Music Venue” by Daily Herald readers year-after-year. Theatre highlights include a Venetian-style outdoor patio space, video gaming machines, a nightclub complete with blinged-out walls and disco balls, Rock ‘N Za – a rock ‘n roll pizza experience with vintage rock pinball machines, Rock ‘N Ravioli – a classic style Italian Restaurant, and Club Arcada 1920s Speakeasy & Restaurant.
After a complete renovation in 2020, The Arcada Theatre is enjoying a revitalization few venues get to boast. Ron Onesti, President & CEO, is “thrilled to show our loyal customers and our beloved bands just how much we appreciate them with better facilities and equipment to make their experience here even more memorable. And of course, I’ll still have my meatballs to give them. They are what REALLY keeps them coming back!”
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS!!! The Des Plaines Theater was opened as a vaudeville/movies house on August 9, 1925 with Adolphe Menjou in “Are Parents People” plus five acts of vaudeville on the stage. Built for the Polka Brothers circuit, the theater was designed by architect William B. Betts of neighboring Park Ridge, who also designed the Glen Theatre (now the Glen Art Theatre) in west suburban Glen Ellyn among other theaters. The Spanish Moorish style foyer led into a Spanish Renaissance style auditorium, which originally seated 1,018 patrons and had a large stage and orchestra pit. The theatre was equipped with a 3 manual Geneva theatre organ which was installed in December 1925 and removed from the theatre in August 1934. The theater’s exterior was in an Art Deco style, complete with bright, multi-colored terra cotta on the facade.
In 2014, The Des Plaines was closed and remained closed for 7 years. In 2018, Ron Onesti and the City of Des Plaines embarked on a complete transformation of this historic gem. After a 3-year massive renovation, the theatre re-opened in the Fall of 2021 to a week-long celebration with sold out concerts and special events.
This 900-seat theatre boasts musicians, comedians and performers from around the world. Mirroring its sister property in St. Charles, the building located at 1476 Miner Avenue, houses a Roaring 20s Speakeasy, Bourbon ‘N Brass and Des Pizza, a rock and roll pizza experience along with Big Al’s Saloon. The theatre hosts over 200 concerts, live events and private parties each year.
Ron Onesti
FOUNDER OF ONESTI ENTERTAINMENT
Ron Onesti is a nationally recognized entertainment executive, producer, and cultural ambassador known for revitalizing historic venues and creating unforgettable live experiences. As President and CEO of Onesti Entertainment, he has transformed two of the Midwest’s most iconic vaudeville playhouses —the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles and the Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines—into thriving, state-of-the-art entertainment destinations.
A leader in hospitality and culinary innovation, Ron is also the Executive Chef/Owner of several acclaimed restaurant concepts, including Club Arcada Speakeasy & Restaurant, Bourbon ’N Brass Speakeasy, Rock ’N Za Pizza Experience, Rock ’N Ravioli Italian Restaurant, and Des Pizza. He is also the founder and producer of the Taylor Street Little Italy Festa, one of Chicago’s best-known Italian celebrations.
Throughout his career, Ron has collaborated with a remarkable range of performers—from industry legends like Kevin Costner and Howie Mandel to contemporary stars such as Luke Bryan or Eric Church —earning a reputation as a trusted producer capable of bridging eras, genres, and audiences.
Ron’s deep commitment to heritage and community has led him to prominent leadership roles within multiple organizations. He serves as President of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, where he leads initiatives that preserve, celebrate, and advocate for the Italian American community in the Chicagoland area and across the nation.
An accomplished writer, Ron has authored more than 300 published articles and continues to share his behind-the-scenes stories through his weekly Daily Herald column, “Backstage with The Arcada Theatre’s Ron Onesti.” He is also a frequent guest on radio and television programs discussing entertainment, culture, and community leadership.
Ron has been honored with numerous awards, including Italy’s Cavaliere Ufficiale—one of the country’s highest civilian distinctions—and the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. As a producer, his PBS special earned three Emmy Awards, highlighting his artistic impact and storytelling excellence.
Born on Chicago’s historic Taylor Street in 1962, Ron grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, pride, and tradition. His father, Alberto, was a tailor, and his mother, Gabriella, a seamstress. He is the oldest of three siblings and a graduate of Weber High School, later attending DePaul University to study Marketing. Today, his brother Richard serves as Vice President of Onesti Entertainment.
With decades of achievements spanning entertainment, hospitality, media, and community service, Ron Onesti continues to celebrate the past, elevate the present, and shape the future of live entertainment and Italian American culture.