We have been in negotiations for several weeks with the owners of the Thorpes building, 533 Cherry Street. Yesterday we found out that the building's sprinkler system was operational and passed inspection. We also received approval from Planning and Zoning for a place of gathering - Art and Music Venue. With that, the 567 has a new home!The new space will allow us some great opportunities in the city. Downstairs will likely host an Art Gallery that will also serve as a lobby. Beyond the lobby we hope to finish out a large gathering area with stage, lighting, and seating for 300. Upstairs we will finish out a more intimate gathering space for smaller shows like we have at our current location. We will also have enough space upstairs for class rooms, studios, and offices. We hope to be able to offer 'incubator' office space for a couple of new businesses willing to locate downtown.
We are excited as well to work with the Refuge here in Macon as they continue bringing music from all over the country to Macon. This automatically doubles the number of shows that the 567 has been doing on a monthly basis and more than doubles the number of people coming downtown to enjoy great music and hopefully dine in our great restaurants. The additional space will allow guys like Sean Pritchard, the Blue Indian, and our own Heather Kemp to bring bigger shows to Macon as well. Upstairs will allow space for our local artists and musicians to teach others their art through art and music classes and summer camps. The possibilities are almost endless...
Oh yeah, and New City Church will have an opportunity to lease Sunday morning space from the 567 - that means our New City kids will have their own designated class space and we won't have to tear down and set up week after week, we should save some $, and I'll have my own quiet office! Stay tuned, we'll post some video soon.
