New venue alert!

Recently, Stillwater Music announced the upcoming grand opening of The Light Box, a “versatile venue” at the music education hub’s space at 1316 Main Ave. (next to Jimmy John’s in the strip mall).

According to Stillwater, the new venue will host a variety of events, including music, dance, visual arts, theater, poetry slams, fashion shows, recitals and more.

“We held a soft opening last fall and have been hosting or renting the space out,” Stillwater Music Executive Director Jeroen van Tyn said in a prepared statement.

The 2,000-square-foot venue can seat up to 110 people. In addition to being used by Stillwater’s students, upcoming shows include Elder Grown on May 12 (also the grand opening) and Leslie Mendelson on June 10.

“The creation of this venue is aimed squarely at addressing Durango’s persistent shortage of performing venues,” van Tyn said.

The perceived shortage of venues in Durango (which we covered in a June 16, 2022, story) is typically a hot topic among local music lovers. Of course, there are plenty of bars and niche venues, like The Hive and iAM’s iNDIGO Room, offering music. And in the summer, there are shows at outdoor venues like Buckley Park and Tico Time. (Speaking of which, iAM is taking over E. 2nd Ave. between 7th and 8th streets this weekend for the iAM Music Fest. For deets., see. p. 5)

And of course, there’s the two biggies: FLC’s Community Concert Hall and Animas City Theatre (which will return to live music this summer after hosting magic shows last summer).

Jana Leslie, program director for Stillwater, said The Light Box, however, will put an emphasis on the performance of music itself. “It’s not a bar; it’s a performance space, and you’re here for the music,” she said. The venue, though, will serve food and beverages.