The Dark Room @ The Grandel Supplies Distinctive Alternatives for Native Musicians, Photographers and Audiences

From its humble beginnings in 2014 in a small storefront location on North Grand Boulevard, to its present state-of-the-art house inside The Grandel, The Dark Room has supplied a novel area for St. Louis musicians and photographers to hone their craft and for patrons of the humanities to expertise new sights and sounds in an intimate setting whereas supporting the mission of KAF.

A premiere stay music and artwork venue and a staple of the Grand Center Arts District, The Dark Room options quite a lot of musical performances every weekend by high native musicians and rotating images displays that seize the true essence of St. Louis. Enhancing the expertise, the full-service bar provides a inventive cocktail menu and choose reveals function a tasty menu of meals by Michele C Catering. 

As the house of KAF’s Music Artist in Residence Program for over a decade, The Dark Room stage offers a secure area and alternative for St. Louis musicians to develop, construct their viewers and carry out with out the stressors of a typical venue setup. Artists are paid knowledgeable assure, supplied bonus buildings, supplied with a backline {and professional} sound operators, and even fed earlier than performances, with KAF protecting all overhead and gaps — permitting them to focus solely on growing their music and efficiency abilities.

The Dark Room can also be house to the Wednesday Night Jazz Jam—a free, family-friendly weekly occasion hosted by Bob Deboo that brings the enjoyment of jazz music inside attain for folks of all ages and backgrounds. Taking place from 6-9 p.m. every Wednesday night, Deboo and a rotating roster of particular company kick off the night with requirements and originals, adopted by a jam session open to all in attendance (even the children!) for a real group expertise.

“The Dark Room was created to be a true gathering space for musicians, artists and patrons of the arts in St. Louis, where they can be close to the action and fully immerse themselves in the work of some of the best talent our city has to offer,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “I’m truly proud to see how it has grown and evolved over the past decade while remaining true to the values and mission of the foundation at all times.”

In addition to supporting native artists, The Dark Room employs dozens of gifted employees members, serving to foster their careers on the operations facet, in addition to producing priceless tax income for the City of St. Louis.

The Gallery at The Dark Room is open to the general public every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. and through occasions. Regular month-to-month programming contains:

• Lou Vibes (First Friday of the month: Enjoy recent sounds from rising and established artists throughout all genres.
• KAF Presents: Soul of the City (First Saturday of the month): An evening devoted to showcasing core native artists and rising stars who’re making waves in our music scene.
• Saturday Night Spotlight (Fourth Saturday of the month): Highlighting native heavyweights with their unbelievable expertise and distinctive sounds, creating an unforgettable evening of music that celebrates the artists who form our metropolis’s vibrant scene.

For a full calendar of occasions and extra info, go to The Dark Room web page on the KAF web site and observe The Dark Room on Facebook and Instagram.