What might seem like an unconventional venue for live music has been a big hit at its opening shows with more booked in future.
Ted Crouch, who is organizing concerts at the It’s Handmade Artisan Collective in the old Canadian Tire building, said the venue’s opening shows received overwhelmingly positive feedback from artists and audience alike.
“The nice thing about It’s Handmade is the people who run it are willing to go any night of the week, which makes it really nice if someone is coming through on a Monday and Tuesday kind of thing. We can certainly present them and with enough notice it gives us chance to promote it in the community,” Crouch said.
The venue currently seats 60 but Crouch says there are plans to expand that to 80 and then eventually 100 seats.
“To get 100 people in there it would be cozy. We’re not there yet, what we work with right now is working fine,” Crouch said.
Although it might be a tight squeeze for 100 people in It’s Handmade, which sells various products from local artisans by day, Crouch said a venue of that size has been requested by both audiences and music industry members in Salmon Arm.
Local musicians were initially skeptical about the acoustics of the venue. Being a former automotive garage, It’s Handmade still has high ceilings and lots of exposed glass and concrete.
“It’s turning out be a really warm sound. I think going forward if there are any fine adjustments to be made it will be to make sure we have a good PA system.“
Feedback on acoustics and ambience has been very positive so far, Crouch said.
The next show will feature Keith Scott a blues player from Chicago.
Scott will perform on Thursday, Aug. 25. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30.
Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance at It’s Handmade and Acorn Music.