Photo: Leila Bodreuil at ISSUE Project Room in Brooklyn, NY
The Toolbox grant provides venues with funding ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to support crucial areas such as ensuring compliance with regulations, enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities, and upgrading ticketing and point-of-sale systems.
This financial support is geared towards empowering venues to prioritize audience experiences, foster a supportive environment for staff and talent, and unlock new avenues for revenue generation.
Previous Grantees: Fall 2023 | Summer 2023
Fall 2024 Grantees
Black Cat, San Francisco, CA
The Black Cat is a true jazz supper club. There’s nothing else like it in San Francisco: World-class jazz artists from all over the world performing nightly, a meticulously crafted cocktail program, a wine list highlighting international and artisanal varietals including classic champagnes and new American cuisine served late in an intimate underground jazz club environment. True to its roots, the space combines grit with glam in the city’s historic Tenderloin arts and entertainment district.
Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz, CA
Kuumbwa Jazz has been celebrating creativity since 1975. From grassroots beginnings, Kuumbwa has grown to present over 130 concerts annually, as well as year-round music education programs. The welcoming listening room environment sets the stage for artists and audiences to find joy in shared musical experiences.
X-Ray Arcade, Cudahy, WI
X-Ray Arcade is an artist-owned and operated venue that aims to provide the Milwaukee area with the finest in Electric Entertainment: live music, food & drink, games, movies, DJs, art vendors, pop-ups, and more. They strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone to feel the power of gathering together to enjoy these things, so events are all-ages as often as possible.
Silvana, New York, NY
On the street level, Silvana is a cafe/boutique carrying an ever-changing selection of local and global goods. Venturing downstairs, you’ll discover a speakeasy-style restaurant/bar/lounge with a nightly lineup of several live bands and a deejay. The cabaret-style tables near the stage are decorated with images that evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of a Middle Eastern market.
The 5 Spot, Nashville, TN
Located in the heart of East Nashville, The 5 Spot has been a hub of Nashville's independent music scene for more than two decades. Central to their mission has been a concerted effort to be as inclusive a space as possible - physically, artistically, and demographically. They feature an eclectic calendar balancing regularly scheduled weekly/monthly events with some of the coolest one-off shows in Music City.
Red Clay Music Foundry, Duluth, GA
Eddie Owen Presents is a songwriter's best friend, offering a music venue, music school, and a welcoming space for performing songwriters and their fans. They are located in Duluth, Georgia, at Red Clay Music Foundry, a 260-seat listening room that showcases some of the most talented musicians on the planet.
The Jazz Gallery, New York, NY
The Jazz Gallery is America’s premier performance venue for emerging artists who challenge convention, take creative risks and lead their field as performers, composers and thinkers. Through residencies, commissions, performances, and exhibitions, The Jazz Gallery provides a platform for artists to discover their unique voice and a home for established musicians to continue to experiment and grow while being committed to removing barriers to participation and to advancing a diverse representation of cultural backgrounds. At The Jazz Gallery, artists and audiences come together from around the world to explore new creative ideas, collaborate and celebrate jazz as a dynamic art form that reflects our ever-changing world.
Lucia, Lawrence, KS
Lucia is a live music and entertainment venue in historic Downtown Lawrence, Kansas. Open since 2016, Lucia hosts a diverse lineup of local and national acts across a wide variety of genres including bluegrass, Americana, hip hop, and indie rock, and is known as the local destination for Afro-Latin and world beat music. Lucia hosts multiple free, recurring events each month and also regularly collaborates with local visual artists, makers, poets and comedians.
Brick & Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
Brick & Mortar Music Hall, which opened its doors in March 2011, stands as one of the few remaining independently owned music venues in San Francisco. Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Mission District, the venue has become a staple of the city's live music scene, hosting more than 300 events annually. From a diverse array of musical genres to private gatherings, Brick & Mortar is known for its intimate atmosphere and commitment to showcasing both emerging talent and established acts.
Snug Harbor, Charlotte, NC
Since 2007, Snug Harbor has dedicated itself as the premiere small music venue in Charlotte, NC. A magnetic hideout where genres collide and boundaries are broken, it is known for its welcoming vibe, intimate atmosphere, and eclectic lineups. Hosting everything from local favorites to international touring acts, Snug Harbor prides itself as a haven for all live music lovers.
The Sound Room, Oakland, CA
The Sound Room is aptly named. The focus is on the sound or the music. Unlike clubs where the performance may be peripheral to the experience, at the Sound Room the performance is the experience. They are an all-ages listening room, existing to present great music and promote jazz as an art form.
Lager House, Detroit, MI
Located in the heart of Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood, Lager House has a storied past and a vibrant present. The building at 1254 Michigan Avenue began its journey as a Prohibition-era speakeasy, disguised as a furniture store, and quickly transformed into a beer garden following the repeal of Prohibition. Renamed The Lager House in 1965, the venue has since become a cornerstone of Detroit’s music and cultural scene. During Detroit's garage rock heyday of the 90s and early 00s, members of the White Stripes could be found hanging out at the bar. A hub for diverse genres and styles, Lager House remains dedicated to fostering Detroit’s music community and providing an unforgettable experience for performers and audiences alike.
ISSUE Project Room, Brooklyn, NY
ISSUE Project Room is a pioneering Brooklyn-based performance nonprofit founded in 2003 , presenting projects by interdisciplinary artists that expand the boundaries of artistic practice and stimulate critical dialogue in the broader community. ISSUE serves as a leading cultural incubator, facilitating the commission and premiere of innovative new works spanning genres of music, dance, literature and film.
Groundworks, Tucson, AZ
Groundworks Tucson is an all-ages music venue and youth arts space in Tucson, Arizona. Groundworks is an all-volunteer run nonprofit that hosts over 150 events per year. The mission is to promote the youth-driven music and arts community in town going beyond the scope of a traditional venue by providing youth with access to gallery space, art supplies, a recording studio, education space, and more!
Churchill School, Baker City, OR
Churchill School is an all-ages venue in Baker City, OR located in a former elementary school, programming a wide range of music, comedy and film events. Opened in 2018, they have since hosted Blind Pilot, Blitzen Trapper, Shamarr Allen, Mattiel, Maria Muldaur, Lizzie No, Bad Bad Hats, and Jon Langford to name a few. They consider their entire operation an arts incubator for the community.
The East Room, Nashville, TN
The East Room, located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, is a beloved hub for creativity and connection, fostering a welcoming community for musicians, performers, and audiences alike. Known for its down-to-earth vibe, The East Room is a place where both seasoned artists and up-and-coming talent find their footing and grow their craft. The venue's inclusive ethos creates a space where new ideas flourish, and the spirit of collaboration thrives.
Jamey’s House of Music, Lansdowne, PA
Jamey’s House of Music is one of a kind. It is a multi-award winning, exquisitely crafted 60 seat venue for original live music featuring a world class listening room, an art gallery, taproom and full-service restaurant. Said one patron, “No kidding - Jamey's House of Music just might be the best music venue on the planet. If you enjoy live music and fine dining-go there now!"
Ojai Underground Exchange, Ojai, CA
Ojai Underground Exchange, established in 2017, is an intimate arts venue nestled in the heart of Ojai, California. Known for its eclectic programming, it serves as a hub for live music, theater, dance, and creative collaborations. With a mission to uplift both local and touring artists, the Ojai Underground offers audiences a chance to experience performances up close in a warm and welcoming setting. It’s where creativity thrives, connections are made, and the arts come alive.
SPACE, Portland, ME
SPACE is a nonprofit organization that supports contemporary arts projects, champions artists, and encourages an open exchange of ideas. The 300-capacity venue presents over 75 touring and local music events annually, hosts a local grantmaking program for new music projects, and features a dynamic range of interdisciplinary and community programs.
The Holland Project, Reno, NV
The Holland Project is an independent and DIY art, music, and culture initiative by young people, for young people, located in Reno, Nevada since 2007. Its aim is four-pronged: visual art access; music access; diverse workshop opportunities; and community involvement and collaboration. Holland is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization. Governed by members, a volunteer board, and committees, they seek to propel Reno’s all-ages movement and wholeheartedly support and champion opportunities for young people in the community.
Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club, San Francisco, CA
Mr. Tipple’s is a stylish jazz club serving craft cocktails in San Francisco’s Civic Center. With live music every Wed-Sun, Mr. Tipple’s has repeatedly been awarded Best Jazz Club in San Francisco. Mr. Tipple’s heralds back to a secluded, 1950s NYC basement. Cozy. Dark. Boozy. The intimate setting features local jazz artists up close and personal. It’s a joint where you come as you are, hear great jazz, tap your toes, and sip a properly chilled cocktail.
Make.Shift Art Space, Bellingham, WA
Make.Shift Art Space is a non-profit all-ages arts and music venue. Their mission is to engage the community by providing all-ages spaces for art and music in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Make.Shift began in 2009 as a support network for local musicians and is now home to art gallery and music venue, affordable art studios and band practice spaces, weekly workshops, and a low-power community radio station, KZAX 94.9 FM. Their 200+ capacity venue hosts all-ages shows on Friday and Saturday nights with a focus on local and independent music.
Kilowatt, San Francisco, CA
Kilowatt has been an absolute staple of independent music and community gathering since long before its current naming, and there is a rich history of culture and sanctuary within the walls of the business. With live music shows virtually every night, from some of the world’s biggest acts to bands who are playing a venue show for the first time, Kilowatt is an incredibly unique and beloved music venue.
Rhizome DC, Washington, DC
Rhizome DC is a community space dedicated to art, activism, and collective power. They provide a home for unconventional and experimental programming in DC's local artistic and cultural scene through new music, visual and performance art, experimental film/video, interactive installations, experimental poetry, DIY workshops, youth programs, etc. The Washington Post has called Rhizome “the city's most vibrant venue for underground jazz and experimental music” and "DC's best music venue”.
The Pocket, Washington, DC
The Pocket is a funky and intimate venue located inside 7DrumCity, the hub for DC’s local music scene. Opened in 2019, The Pocket’s mission is to serve as a springboard for up-and-coming local acts and emerging touring artists of all sizes and genres, and as a community performance space that connects 7DrumCity’s music school for adults and youth, 15+ practice studios, and events. At 75-capacity, The Pocket offers a unique concert experience that fosters connection between musicians and audiences, and amplifies talent from around the world and across the region.
The Focal Point, St. Louis, MO
The Focal Point is St. Louis’ Premiere Roots Music Listening Room Since 1975.It was established to meet the need for a venue where local and traveling musicians can perform in a warm friendly atmosphere to an audience of all ages who can be exposed to their artistry. The Focal Point consistently features top-quality performers whose expertise in various musical traditions educates and enlightens audiences while providing top-notch entertainment.
The Loading Dock, Littleton, NH
The Loading Dock is located in Littleton NH and dedicated to providing a venue for performances from emerging and established artists, fostering a creative space for the community to connect around a shared appreciation of the Arts. The venue began as a DIY performance space in 2015 and has recently gained non-profit status and continues to serve as a community hub in northern NH for artists and musicians.
Jazz St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
For nearly three decades, Jazz St. Louis has been the foremost jazz presenter in St. Louis and throughout the region. Dedicated to preserving the legacy of this musical genre, hundreds of local and nationally renowned musicians have graced their stage. Year after year, Jazz St. Louis strives to be the leader in showcasing unique and diverse jazz performers and preserves the shared cultural heritage embodied in jazz music through their educational programs.
The Apohadion Theater, Portland, ME
The Apohadion Theater is a small all-ages venue in Portland Maine that is staffed and volunteered by artists and musicians. The theater hosts more than 200 live music events a year as well as occasional film showings, theater productions and other social events.
Conor Byrne, Seattle, WA
Nestled in the heart of Ballard, Conor Byrne Co-op is a beloved community hub that celebrates live music, connection, and creativity. Known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and rich history, this iconic venue showcases local and touring artists across genres, fostering a space where music lovers, performers, and neighbors come together. As a cooperative, Conor Byrne is committed to supporting the arts, building community, and preserving the vibrant spirit of Ballard.
Fremont Abbey Arts Center, Seattle, WA
Fremont Abbey Arts Center is a nonprofit providing creative events in Seattle. Abbey Arts-produced events focus on the beauty of live music and the arts. They aim to create affordable, welcoming, and inclusive experiences where people can learn and develop through education and performances.
Rosa’s Lounge, Chicago, IL
Rosa's Lounge operates in the hallowed tradition of Chicago blues lounges, family owned and operated by an Italian immigrant Tony Mangiullo, who came to Chicago in 1978 after meeting Jr. Wells and Buddy Guy in Milan. Tony found the true spirit of the blues at South side lounges like the legendary Theresa's Lounge, and he opened Rosa's as a tribute to those cradles of blues tradition, and named it after his mother who had followed him here to help.
Siberia, New Orleans, LA
Siberia first opened as a bar and live music venue in 2010 at the edge of New Orleans' Marigny neighborhood. 14 years later, with many changes to the bar and the neighborhood, the taxidermy-lined walls of Siberia remain a home for alternative, underground, and loud music every night of the week. The stage plays host to everything from touring metal bands to local burlesque performers, up and coming punk bands, and much much more.
El Rio, Your Dive, San Francisco, CA
El Rio began her life in 1978 as a Brazilian Leather Gay Bar aiming to serve the surrounding Mission District neighborhood and all good folks. They are a queer run community space, an event space, a gathering place, a venue, a Mission mainstay and many other things to many people. El Rio is a resource to an extremely diverse intersection of communities in San Francisco.
Fall 2023 Grantees
20 FRONT STREET, Lake Orion, MI
Regarded as one of the top independent venues in the country, 20 Front Street engages guests with an intimately immersive sonic experience unlike any other. In 2016, several families joined together to transform this old antique shop in Lake Orion, Michigan into a beautiful, intimate music venue. Artists from all over the world have shared their gifts in this divine, up-close and personal listening room.
ALEX’S BAR, Long Beach, CA
Alex’s Bar in Long Beach is a high-energy punk rock bar & live music venue. The space is drenched in blood red decor with velvet paintings of Elvis Presley, Mexican wrestlers and conquistadors hanging on the walls. Thick red curtains skirt the stage where acts like the Offspring, Black Flag, Eagles of Death Metal, punk legend Mike Watt and John Doe of X have performed.
BEAT KITCHEN, Chicago, IL
Located in the heart of Roscoe Village, Beat Kitchen has been serving up Chicago with an excellent variety of live music, food and beer since 1994. The historic building was constructed in 1889, with the back room previously serving as a neighborhood butcher shop prior to being converted into a live music space. Both touring and local musicians, comedians and artists grace the stage with shows almost every night, including some of the biggest names in live music & comedy.
BELLTOWN YACHT CLUB, Seattle, WA
BYC was established independently in 2018 in the basement of the historical Barnes Building, right in the heart of the Belltown neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. The underground club has hosted artists and musicians from all over the world, from Grammy-Award winning, to first-timers and everything in between. Their stage is home to many independent touring acts, as well as many artists from Seattle’s thriving pre-existing and emerging music scene.
CAFE COLONIAL, Sacramento, CA
When Cafe Colonial was at risk of shuttering in 2018, Gabriell and Ben Garcia took over the lease for the beloved DIY club. Since then, Cafe Colonial has been considered the place to go for live punk, metal and alternative music by Sacramento locals — with the DIY spirit still alive.
CASBAH, San Diego, CA
The Casbah opened in 1989 in a location just up the block from the current site. Acts such as Nirvana, Lemonheads, Smashing Pumpkins, Drive Like Jehu and The Jesus Lizard all performed there in the early ‘90s. They moved into their current location in January 1994, and in January 2024 will celebrate their 35th anniversary of booking local, national and international acts 7 days a week.
DRKMTTR, Nashville, TN
For over five years, Drkmttr has served Nashville as one of the only all-ages DIY spaces, hosting underground music, community gatherings, drag nights and more. The volunteer-run arts collective strives to be a center for community, meaningful change and a safe space for all.
FLOYD COUNTRY STORE, Floyd, VA
The Floyd Country Store is renowned as a place to experience authentic Appalachian music, and is home to a group of musicians, flatfoot dancers and cloggers who are carrying on the tradition of their families who’d pass the time playing music and dancing together. Everywhere they could, these folks would gather with their friends and families, from their front porch to the neighbor’s kitchen. In the 1980’s, Folks in Floyd took to coming out to the General Store and began the Friday Night Jamboree tradition that continues today.
HOOSIER DOME, Indianapolis, IN
Hoosier Dome is an all ages music venue in Indianapolis and a long-running staple in the midwest. Since 2010, Hoosier Dome has been building the music community by hosting both emerging and established artists. Hoosier Dome is always dedicated to creating a safe space for all people to come and enjoy live music in a positive and intimate setting. Dome is home.
JALOPY THEATRE, Brooklyn, NY
The Jalopy Theatre and School of Music is a multi-faceted arts space showcasing evolving folk and traditional music and art from New York City, the Americas and the world. Their programming supports artists, fosters multi-generational community and provides enrichment and education about their shared musical heritage.
LA PEÑA CULTURAL CENTER, Berkley, CA
Since 1975, La Peña Cultural Center has been a central site for Latinx, Caribbean and Indigenous diasporic communities of the Bay Area to preserve and celebrate cultural traditions, present new interdisciplinary creative works and nurture grassroots social justice movements with artists, activists and allies. Their founding as a "peña" — or place offering music, food and political support to cultures of resistance in South America in the 1960s-’70s — has guided their program of challenging dominant narratives and centering marginalized positions for nearly fifty years.
MOE’S ALLEY, Santa Cruz, CA
Since 1991, Moe’s Alley has been a musical institution, featuring live music from local and regional to national and international artists. They pride themselves on offering a diverse range of music with top-notch sound in an inclusive and safe environment. With a full bar, large outdoor heated patio and tasty food from a local food vendor, it’s everything you need to enjoy a great night of music.
NATALIE’S GRANDVIEW, Columbus, OH
Natalie’s, founded in 2012, is a dynamic venue that features two separate live music stages presenting a variety of local, national and international acts. The venue also provides full-service food and bar service for each stage. Natalie’s regularly programs three separate events each Wednesday through Sunday in addition to other special programs.
NEW DEAL CAFÉ (NDC), Greenbelt, MD
The New Deal Café serves as a "watering hole” or "living room" for the Greenbelt community. They invite a broad and diverse audience into their living room and have created an engaged and connected community. The New Deal Cafe music program this year has won first place in Washington City Paper’s 2023 Best of DC for Best Place to Experience Local Music and Best Place to Have Dinner with Live Music, plus additional recognition for Best Jazz/Blues Venue, Best Music Venue, Best Performing Arts Venue and Best Neighborhood Music Series.
NEXT STAGE ARTS, Putney, VT
The Next Stage Arts Project is a non-profit organization that stimulates cultural engagement by creating opportunities for collaboration among audiences, artists and educational and arts organizations. Located inside an historical 18th-century building in the small, Vermont village of Putney there is a 200-seat, state-of-the-art, fully accessible performance venue with an art gallery and community space.
NO CLASS, Cleveland, OH
No Class is a female/POC-owned and operated small music venue in Cleveland, OH, that was recently voted Best Metal Bar, 2nd Best Gay Bar, and placed top 3 for Best Hip Hop, Comedy and EDM club. They take pride in their inclusive and diverse programming, hosting everything from punk rock to drag, death metal to R&B, techno to flea markets, and everything in between.
ONE LONGFELLOW SQUARE, Portland, ME
One Longfellow Square’s (OLS) mission is to engage their community in the shared experience of a broad range of exceptional live music and support musicians at all stages of their artistic journey. OLS is one of Portland, Maine’s most versatile, non-profit performing arts and concert venues, showcasing the work of folk, bluegrass, Blues, jazz, Americana, roots, rock, local and genre-defying artists. Each year, OLS presents upwards of 150 performances, supports over 500 artists, and connects with 12,000 audience members.
OPOLIS, Norman, OK
The Opolis has been Norman, Oklahoma’s staple micro venue and vegan food restaurant located in the heart of downtown for 20 years. In February 2023, the venue transitioned into a worker-owned cooperative. Each member of the co-op has lived and worked in downtown Norman for the last decade and the Opolis is where most of them got their start in musical performance. The previous owners, Andy and Marian, built a legacy for providing a unique creative space for all types of events and the co-op is determined to carry that legacy into the future.
PAUSA art house, Buffalo, NY
PAUSA art house is the winner of JazzBuffalo Poll 2022 - "Best Small Jazz Venue" and is located in the Historic District of Allentown, Buffalo New York. PAUSA presents a wide variety of music shows and artistic exhibitions from local, national and international artists. The relaxed atmosphere of the venue attracts patrons who wish to attend an intimate concert or an art exhibit while enjoying a glass of wine, beers, spirits, tapas and panini sandwiches.
PORTLAND HOUSE OF MUSIC, Portland, ME
At the heart of Portland's vibrant arts and entertainment scene, Portland House of Music stands as a beacon for music enthusiasts, culture aficionados and community-seekers alike. Nestled in the eclectic and lively city of Portland, their establishment is more than just a venue — it's a destination that celebrates the magic of music and the spirit of togetherness.
RAMBLING HOUSE MUSIC BAR, Columbus, OH
Rambling House was originally created in 2014 as a craft soda production facility, before expanding into the Rambling House Music space, a bar and music venue located in Columbus, OH. Now, Rambling House Music Bar is a favorite community place to see live music, comedy and entertainment. Patrons enjoy a welcoming space to sip cold brews and cocktails made with their delicious sodas, while soaking in the sounds of talented local and national artists on their legendary stage.
REAL ART TACOMA, Tacoma, WA
Real Art Tacoma is an all-ages event space and music venue whose aim is to create a space for young people to exist; to express themselves, to find and build community and to be empowered through art, music and the free exchange of ideas.
ROOTS MUSIC PROJECT, Boulder, CO
Roots Music Project is a Boulder nonprofit whose mission is to empower musicians, audiences and venues to connect and create a thriving and inspiring local music scene. In their venue, they book local emerging artists and host workshops and classes to help musicians hone their craft.
SHAPESHIFTER LAB, Brooklyn, NY
ShapeShifter Lab is a performance space in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Opened in 2011 and originally located in Gowanus, they host some of the world’s most innovative artists who are looking for a flexible platform to present their work.
THE EGREMONT BARN, South Egremont, MA
The Egremont Barn has been voted the Best Small Music Venue in the Berkshires every year since it opened in 2016. The venue is housed in a renovated barn built in 1820 that is listed on the National Historic Registry. In that time, it has produced well over 1000 shows and become a community hub in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts and been featured in such national publications as Vogue and Rolling Stone.
THE GOODFOOT, Portland, OR
In early 2001 The Goodfoot opened to little fanfare on once-quiet Stark street. Word quickly spread of the music venue that shunned plastic cups, favored local organic ales, and hung rotating art shows. By summer, sweaty crowds packed the dance floor to a rotating cast of DJs and bands — both local and national. With the upstairs pub renovated and roaring, The Goodfoot settled in, got comfortable and became a neighborhood staple. Nearly two decades on, they’ve hosted thousands of musicians and artists, welcomed the thirsty and watched as Portland transformed into an international city.
THE HIDEOUT, Chicago, IL
The Hideout is located in a 100-year-old balloon-frame house, built in two days, still here a century later. It is surrounded by factories, and the looming City of Chicago Fleet Management Facility. Every night for over a decade, punk rock, alt-country, indie rock, post-rock whatever break out their instruments and play like it is the last night on earth. City workers and grade school teachers, art students and plumbers, bikers and bike riders all converge at the corner of Ada and Wabansia Streets to dance and sing along to their favorite and obscure bands.
THE LOST CHURCH, San Francisco, CA
This Lost Church is a nonprofit arts organization that serves their community by creating, sustaining and defending spaces for live performance. Their two theaters in the San Francisco Bay Area host over 450 performances a year featuring regional and touring artists.
THE PARLOR ROOM, Northampton, MA
The Parlor Room was founded in autumn of 2012, when Signature Sounds Recordings moved to a new location in downtown Northampton. The record label's original vision for the venue was to host occasional performances by label-affiliated artists, but the new venue proved quite popular. The Parlor Room hosted over 1,000 performances in the following decade and is now Northampton's beloved artist-and-audience-friendly listening room/performance space/school of music.
THE VENUE, Aurora, IL
The Venue is a live music performance space in downtown Aurora, Illinois. The flex-space listening room can be configured for reserved high- and low-top tables, general admission or standing room only shows. They book nationally recognized talent in all genres of music from blues and big band, to rock and world music, and everything in between. Frequently, their opening acts feature regional and local musicians and songwriters.
xBk, Des Moines, IA
xBk is a state-of-the-art 250-capacity performing arts and music venue/listening room. Having opened in September 2019 as an homage to owner Tobi Parks’ former Brooklyn, NY home, xBk is dedicated to creating superior live event experiences in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Summer 2023 Grantees
CACTUS CLUB, Milwaukee, WI
Cactus Club is an artist-run, queer-owned, multi-disciplinary arts and performance space in Milwaukee, WI. Engaging with a culturally expansive and intergenerational cross-section of the city, the venue aims to foster meaningful relationships, highlight important artistic voices, develop local talent, and provide high quality arts programming to folks near and far. The organizers work to provide a supportive and amorphous platform for creative experimentation, tastemaking curation and interactive educational opportunities.
GRAND ANNEX, San Pedro, CA
Grand Annex is a 150-seat cabaret venue run by Grand Vision in the heart of San Pedro’s thriving arts district. Grand Vision Foundation and renters regularly produce excellent performances here. State-of-the-art sound enhances a unique listening experience, complemented by a commitment to community.
HUNGRY BRAIN, Chicago, IL
For over 20 years, Hungry Brain has presented jazz and improvised music in Chicago. Musicians Mike Reed and Josh Berman began hosting the weekly Sunday Transmission concert series in January of 2001. Over the next two decades, the series served as a local incubating clubhouse for up-and-coming musicians. It has also become another anchor on the international stage for free-wheeling improvisers. Since 2015 the musical offerings at Hungry Brain have grown to also include early jazz & blues, electronic explorations, and forward-thinking singer-songwriters.
MAPLE LEAF BAR, New Orleans, LA
Maple Leaf Bar is an iconic neighborhood watering hole located on the funky Oak Street corridor, way uptown, New Orleans, Louisiana, and host to live music seven nights a week for most of its existence. You’ll find a unique mix of local legends, Grammy Award winners, musical heroes and up-and-coming talent on the stage nightly, and on occasion — all at the same time.
PERFECT NOTE, Hoover, AL
Karen and Tremayne Thompson said their lives have always been about music, and they achieved a lifelong goal with the opening of their own jazz supper club in Hoover, Perfect Note. “Our tagline is, ‘the perfect place for your live music and dining experience,’ and so far, our customers’ response supports that claim,” said Karen Thompson. “Doing this has always been our dream.”
RUMBA CAFE, Columbus, OH
Established in 2006, Rumba Cafe has grown into one of the top and most reputable small concert venues in the country. Rumba provides an intimate small venue capacity concert space with advanced sound and lighting in the Old North Columbus Neighborhood.
SKYLARK CAFE AND CLUB, Seattle, WA
The Skylark is an extension of your living room, a place where you can relax, be comfortable and have a good time. Nested between Delridge and Pigeon Point, The Skylark provides an oasis for the community in West Seattle, providing: weekend brunch, live local music, Seattle's best open mic and weekly trivia, highly curated local tap rotation, scratch made menu and house smoked meats and veggies with GF/V options.
THE FALCON, Marlboro, NY
The Falcon is a multi-level music & arts space, restaurant & bar, nested in the hamlet of Marlboro NY. The Falcon was created by Tony Falco, a visionary & patron of the arts who dreamt of a place where music could be performed at the highest level and shared with everyone, no matter their financial status. The Falcon’s top floor is a 150 seat theater, restaurant and bar with high vaulted ceilings and rotating art gallery wall space. Designed for great acoustics and furnished with top of the line instruments, the space creates an intimate environment for music to be presented at the highest level.
THE FOOTLIGHT, Ridgewoood, NY
The Footlight is a community supported art space providing a platform for emerging artists in Ridgewood Queens since 2016. The Footlight hosts a variety of programming from open mics and workshops, to live music, dance, and new works theater performances. They also self-publish and distribute an in-house Zine, The Footlighter, curated by resident visual artist Tim Shea. In addition, as part of their programming, they have partnered with the Self-Portrait Project since 2018, enabling guests to tell their own visual stories on their own terms at their events. Footlight prides itself on hosting a multitude of inclusive and diverse events.
THE FOUNDRY CONCERT CLUB, Lakewood, OH
The Foundry Concert Club, located on the border of Lakewood and Cleveland, is one of the area’s underappreciated but acclaimed music venues. Cleveland Scene has named the space Northeast Ohio's best metal club for multiple years. The Foundry caters to niche audiences, earning it the reputation as a home for hard-rock and heavy-metal bands, but also includes an eclectic mix of performers on its schedule, including hip-hop groups and DJs.
THE HOTEL CAFE, Los Angeles, CA
From a close-knit family of local singer songwriters, to well known icons opting for a more intimate setting, the Hotel Cafe has been celebrating the live music experience for over 20 years. By hosting early career performances from names like Adele, Katy Perry, The Lumineers, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Leon Bridges, Mumford and Sons, Sara Bareilles, and many others, it has been labeled a break out room for many independent artists.
THE WORD BARN, Exeter, NH
Originally the horse stable of Raynes Farm (circa 1695), the renovated barn provides an experience unlike any other. The intimate setting, welcoming vibe, and vibrant energy has kept performers and patrons alike coming back for more, time and time again. The Word Barn serves as a unique and intimate glorified house concert setting and concert experience unlike any other. With impeccable acoustics, inspiring setting, unique interaction with performers, and a combination of seats, stools, and balcony, it provides a superb community gathering space centered around quality events.