In 1944, Jack Loeks opened the Foto News Theatre at 123 Pearl St. And though we have plenty of entertainment in the form of niche eateries, breweries, live music and theatre, and more art events than you can shake a stick at, one form has been decidedly sparse downtown (aside from UICA and Wealthy Theatre) since the early 1970s: the movie theatre. In the past 20 years, Grand Rapids has made a habit of creating new or rehabbing old venues to account for economic growth, evolving trends, and changing interest. In his new role at Studio C, Mathews will spend several months working alongside architects, acoustical engineers, sound and interior designers and others “to make this a comfortable, exciting and incredible sounding room to take in the art of music.Beer, music, art, and outdoor spaces. “We’ve got to keep the momentum of the arts moving along here in our community,” said Mathews, acknowledging that he’s never experienced anything like the wave of support he’s received in the music community since moving here from Nashville four years ago with his wife, Channing Lee. But he conceded he’s also thrilled about the opportunity “to help curate a new live music venue to continue artistic expression” in Grand Rapids. Mathews said it was a difficult decision to leave WYCE after serving as station manager since August 2016, when he succeeded AJ Paschka in the position. Loeks said he views Mathews as “a triple-threat guy” and “the perfect fit” to lead and curate the listening room because of his experience as a touring musician with the Channing & Quinn indie-folk duo, his leadership at community radio station WYCE and his enthusiasm and familiarity with West Michigan’s music scene. “It’s a more personal sort of space,” suggested Emily Loeks, public relations and community affairs manager for Studio C, who also described the intended vibe as “house concert-like” and (The Studio C project also will include 106 apartments and 16,000 square feet of retail space.) Seating types and elevations will vary inside the 4,000-square-foot listening room, which also will feature a bar. We’ve found unanimous enthusiasm for the idea.”Īiming for “a jazz club feel,” the new venue will be adjacent to Studio C’s nine-screen theater complex and atop a planned new restaurant, with a hotel directly above.
… There’s not a venue (in Grand Rapids) doing exactly what I’m interested in seeing. “Arena shows have their place, but I prefer not to be fighting crowds. “This is the way I want to see music live,” said Loeks, who professes a love for singer-songwriters performing in acoustically engaging settings. Loeks, president of Studio Park developer Studio C - which operates Celebration! Cinema movie theaters and ShowSpan - said he’s personally excited about creating a special, intimate concert experience for music fans.
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