The Peace Center plans to amplify the local music scene with two new performance venues opening soon in downtown Greenville.
The Mockingbird will open its doors on Jan. 16 and 17, offering an intimate listening experience for audiences to enjoy. A two-story, standing-room-only live music club named the Coach Music Factory will also host its first performance in early February.
Both venues were created as part of a multi-million campus expansion of the Peace Center. Three historic buildings located on the performing arts center’s campus were repurposed to house the new music venues. Renovations began in late 2022 after approximately two years of planning.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Megan Riegel, CEO of the Peace Center.
The Mockingbird
The Mockingbird was strategically designed to bring musicians, songwriters and storytellers closer to audiences. The 180-seat listening room features a cabaret-style seating layout, with patrons viewing performances from tables surrounding the semi-circular stage. The venue’s stage stands in front of an expansive glass wall offering views of downtown and the Reedy River.
Patrons will be able to enjoy small plate offerings while viewing performances at The Mockingbird. Drinks will be served at the venue’s full-service bar next to a casual lounge area with couches and chairs. Additional seating is located on the venue’s outdoor patio overlooking the Peace Center’s campus.
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The Mockingbird is housed within the historic Gullick and Markley buildings on South Main Street. The venue draws inspiration from the historic structures by blending together industrial and Art Deco design elements.
The Peace Center will present a yearlong music series called Song Sessions to launch The Mockingbird. Each month, Nashville singer-songwriter Maia Sharp will be joined by special guest artists to perform at the new venue. The guests artists for opening weekend will be acclaimed singer-songwriter Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.
Coach Music Factory
The Coach Music Factory, located between the Peace Center Concert Hall and Gunter Theatre, creates a unique club-like atmosphere for patrons to enjoy live music. A range of music, from rock to electronic dance, will be performed at the 1,100-person venue.
Patrons can view the venue’s stage from either the ground floor or mezzanine level. Retractable glass garage doors are located behind the stage and open to an outdoor patio. Drinks will be served at three full-service bars located within the Coach Music Factory. A private event space for weddings, corporate events and other special occasions is also located on the building’s third floor.
“Every once in a while we will get artists that don’t want to play in a proscenium hall, which is what the (Peace Center) Concert Hall is and what the Gunter (Theatre) is. They want to be right there mixing with the crowd,” Riegel said. “The crowd wants to be right there mixing with the artists and holding a beer in their hand. So that’s what you’re going to have at the Coach Factory.”
The historic Roe Coach Factory, built in 1857, was repurposed to house the new live music club. The structure’s original brick walls and hardwood floors were preserved to maintain an industrial feel within the Coach Music Factory.
Opening night of the Coach Music Factory will be Feb. 7 with G. Love & Special Sauce, an American hip-hop blues band from Philadelphia. Other announced artists include The Lone Bellow performing on March 27 and The Infamous Stringdusters performing April 26.
The Peace Center arts education center
The Peace Center’s new Arts Education Center located above The Mockingbird was created as part of the multi-million campus expansion. The Arts Education Center offers dedicated instructional space, collaboration areas and a conference room for the performing arts center’s education programming.
Artists dorms
The Peace Center created dorms directly above The Mockingbird for performing and instructional artists visiting Greenville. The space includes three bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, along with a small kitchen and common area.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source greenvillejournal.com ’
