Their event line-ups and themes have carried out their goal of a guaranteed good — and free — time for everyone who attends.
Universe City is Norman, Oklahoma’s progressive oasis, offering an art studio stocked with supplies, bi-monthly open mic nights, and poetry readings for anyone needing to express him/herself.
There is also a library, free school, and an art gallery open to anyone wanting to learn or be inspired. There is no cover for shows, but donations are welcome and are given to the bands.
According to 1919 Hemphill’s website guy, Al, the venue is a “volunteer-run community and performance space that follows the DIY ethic. We have shows of all kinds; a free store; a book, zine and music library; and we offer an alcohol- and smoke-free environment for all kinds of events and meetings.”
The Bike Barn is the northern-most DIY venue we have profiled so far. Known as Falmouth, Maine’s only interesting attraction, the barn is a popular destination for locals and tourists when the weather is warm.
For more than four years, this space has hosted performances and classes. Currently, a house is being built so that shows can continue through the winter months.
This week, we bring you a DIY pioneer. During the 15 years this space has been open, a tight-knit community of anarchists, punks, and musicians has been established. Try as they may, authorities cannot shut this place down. The Trumbullplex plans to continue its promotion of music as a weapon for years to come.
Dayton, Ohio’s Third Street: home to the local porn store, church supply outlet and The Dayton Dirt Collective. If horror make-up workshops, intimate musical performances and community service opportunities are not reason enough to visit the collective, then the neighboring establishments might be.
Rererato is undergoing new management, but the former managers liked to think of the events that took place as private house gatherings that just so happened to be open to the public. Art showings, music performances, figure-drawing classes and TV-show productions have all occurred in the space that used to be a Hare Krishna temple.
To follow up on the venue’s status, check its website or MySpace page. For now, click onward for our DIY spotlight.
The WonderRoot Community Center supports and encourages a variety of creative endeavors; they are the elementary school art teacher of DIY venues.
Members of this non-profit arts organization strive to inspire positive social change; they feel that artists have the ability to change the world. Those who enter WonderRoot can expect an accessible, low-pressure environment where self-expression is welcome.
The inhabitants of 591 55th Street (or The Basement as it is commonly called) spend plenty of time playing Street Fighter and drinking. A few months ago, a combination of boredom and distaste for venue promoters prompted The Basement to dedicate some time to hosting bands.
Since then, a variety of musicians have performed in their space. Word has spread and many shows have reached capacity. 591 55th Street will be expanding in the near future to accommodate the crowds.
The Whitehaus Family Record is a three-story house located in the lush town of Jamaica Plain, Massachusettes. Inside this house, a variety of performances such as fire breathing, live radio drama, music playing, and weekly hootenannies occur in the living room. The Whitehaus Family plans to continue these shows until they die.
Saving the youth of Appleton, Wisconsin from radio rock, the BFG House has been hosting punk shows for over a year. The BFG was established to share new music and an alternative way of life with the Appleton community. Bands who play here can expect home cooked meals and an audience of punks, neighbors and the occasional ‘townie.’