Square Room offers old-school feel for local artists | Arts & Culture

The Square Room, which has been generating buzz around town for its intimate atmosphere and support of local artists, is a venue that believes in thinking outside of the box when it comes to booking entertainment.

Nestled down a cobbled alley in Market Square, the venue's lit sign, reminiscent of what might have highlighted the entrance to a 1940s night club, hints at the old-school charm awaiting inside.

Dark curtains flank a stage whose grand piano serves as focal point; large linen-clad tables dot the dance floor; a bar offering beer and wine borders the back of the room. A bygone audience of dapper dans and dames, puffing on cigars and pinching cigarette holders between gloved fingers, easily could fit in here.

It is exactly this cozy and nostalgic charm that The Square Room, which shares a mutual building and owner with Caf 4, prides itself on.

"One thing that's unique is that it is smaller and intimate," said Kenny Woodhull, director of public shows and ticketed events. "We really strive to create a listening environment. Other small rooms have more of a bar scene, and the music can become second priority."

That's not the case at The Square Room, where the artist on stage is clearly the focus, Woodhull said.

"Some clubs you go to for the night and it's a cool thing, but you wake up in the morning and don't really remember the band you heard," he said. "We want you to wake up in the morning and think, 'Wow, that was one of the best concerts I've ever been to.'"

The range of performances seen on The Square Room's main stage run an impressive array of genres.

"We try to create programming that is consistently excellent and reaches a diverse audience," Woodhull said. "Our audience demographic runs the gamut from UT students, to people in their mid-20s and 30s, to alternative folks, the jazz community and classical enthusiasts. In addition to musical diversity, we've also hosted storytelling and small theater productions.

"We have an eclectic nature to our programming, but the common thread is quality and the listening environment."

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Square Room offers old-school feel for local artists | Arts & Culture