Madison’s newest live music venue and community space, the Atwood Music Hall, (AMH) will open June 13, featuring a month-long showcase of local artists.
Founder Toffer Christensen sees AMH as an upgrade to the smaller venue, The Bur Oak, which he owns with partner Corey Lockett. The venue will house standing-room, open-floor shows at an approximately 700-person capacity and fully seated shows at a 375-person capacity.
Christensen said the AMH will “fill a void” as a larger independent venue in the area.
“I can take a band, and they can play the Bur Oak, and if they do well, now I can put them at the Atwood,” Christensen told The Daily Cardinal. “And then if they do well there, then they can go down the street and play The Barrymore.”
The month of shows honoring local artists will begin on June 13 with a tribute to longtime Madison resident Clyde Stubblefield, one of artist James Brown’s original drummers. All ticket sales for the event will benefit local community radio station WORT.
Other notable shows include Kevin Farley, Spooner and University of Wisconsin-Madison alum Rainer Maria.
Christensen and his team kept history in mind when redesigning AMH.
“Madison really influenced how I appreciate the arts and why I went into the arts as a career. I really wanted that to be reflected in the original kind of grand opening booking,” Christensen said.
Originally constructed in 1931 for the Madison Gospel Tabernacle, the building is one of the only buildings left in the Midwest with its distinct Lamella roof structure. While the soundproofing must be upgraded, Christensen is committed to keeping the design consistent with its original style, especially its iconic ceiling.
“It was built for gatherings. It was built for music. This is kind of just an extension of its original use, in a modern day form,” he said.
Beyond housing local musicians, AMH has partnered with the Goodwin Center’s Lussier LOFT for their Students of Live program. Starting in the fall, this semester-long program will expose students from local high schools to the live music industry.
Christensen, who attended East High School and Marquette Elementary, is excited to connect with the Madison community through the project.
“I grew up in this neighborhood. I really wanted to try to give back to the city and especially give back to kids and try to get them interested in the live music industry,” he said.
Christensen's goals for the venue are simple.
“Let's have some fun, have some good music and comedy, but let's also enrich our community at the same time,” Christensen said.
