ATTN: Music-Lovers — HELP SAVE THE BRASS LANTERN
Due to the relentless recession, the steady decline of patronage, and for various other reasons (any thing that could possibly break in the last year, HAS), the Brass Lantern joins the long list of privately owned companies in serious danger of closing its doors forever!! The venue is currently on the market and will continue to be, until sold or until their business begins to thrive again.
The Brass Lantern has been a landmark for live music in Reading, Pennsylvania since around 2001, hosting prime national touring acts such as Melvin Seals & JGB, DJ Flow (of the Chappelle Show), The Recipe, RAQ, and Michael Glabicki (of Rusted Root), just to name a few. More importantly, it has been the “stepping stone” venue for hundreds of smaller jam bands, building solid fan foundations for bands such as Lotus, Pnuma Trio, Quagmire Swim Team, Juggling Suns, Frog Holler and many others.
These bands played (and some are still playing) multiple shows at the Brass Lantern in order to capture the hearts of Reading live music fans and create the “travelling music fan” in an era where live shows (and turnout for live shows) is in direct proportion to keeping each band travelling and performing, thus keeping the band together. Some of these bands have moved on to bigger venues and large festivals largely in part to building their fanbases at the smaller clubs across the country like the Brass Lantern.
By consistently providing the quality live music stated above, and using mainly word-of-mouth promotion with bits of Internet blogs and posts by its proud staff and satisfied patrons over the years, the Brass Lantern has gained the reputation as “PA’s Best All-Around Small Venue“, and truly is a hidden gem (although scuffed) nestled in the city of Reading. People connect at the Brass Lantern, whether it’s over a fine craft beer or a top-end mixed drink, over a game of darts or pool, or over some top notch live music; all patrons, whether it’s their first time there, or they’re a regular customer, are assured a safe and fun time. It is for this reason that people want to come back. Many patrons who come in from out of town remark, “this bar reminds me of my hometown bar” and it’s because we treat bands and out-of-town concert-goers so kindly and with open arms (yes, this is still possible in the heart of the city).
Simply put, the Brass Lantern is the reason PlusVibes Productions was even created.
So, I plead with you to KEEP THE BRASS LANTERN ALIVE.
Come in and spend a little money – have a drink or have a bite to eat, catch up with good friends and good people, see the best live music that Reading has to offer, and TELL SOME FRIENDS ABOUT the Brass Lantern. We honestly have some of the best food & drink specials around the city and we absolutely need all the business we can get, plus we love seeing new faces!
I actually bartend every Tuesday evening from 5pm until 2am, with our $1.25 Taco special (chicken, beef, or beans, 7-10pm) along with $6 domestic pitchers. I am also usually playing some of the best Brass Lantern live show recordings from over the years on our soundsystem. Do you have a request? Do you want to talk about good music? I would love to chat.
Is there a live show from the Brass Lantern that you would love to have a copy? I personally extend an invitation to anyone wanting a copy of a live recording to come in, have a couple drinks, maybe eat some tacos, write down the show you want, and I will personally make you a copy for free(first come, first served). It will be ready for pick up the following week (there, I got ya’ for two visits). All I ask is that you buy a drink or two each time you stop by!
I thank you for your continued support of live music in the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, and I hope to see you soon.
Chris K
Founder, +VIBES Productions
Entertainment Director, The Brass Lantern
More information, including a full band schedule can be found here.
The Brass Lantern
1350 North 12th Street
Reading, PA 19604
610/372-9311
Hours: Mon thru Sat 5pm-2am
Hey Chris, lets put on a 2-3 day festival, roy hobbs would play for free , we are willing to try and help save this place. I know it will take more bands than us, but are willing and every other one should be willing too. Lets talk about this. Your good friend, jordan simms
Hey Chris — my first ever BP show was at the Brass, on 5/13/05 — it was a turning point in my life, and I hold the Brass partly responsible for a lot of friendships I have today.
I’ll never forget showing up hours early to the show (even before the Brass’ doors were unlocked) so as not to miss any of BP. The bartenders not only let me in to watch the soundcheck, but they cooked me a free meal and extended warm hospitality throughout the night.
I would like to donate to the Brass. I can’t afford very much right now, but if you were to set up a Paypal donation in the Brass’ name and put it on the this web site, I’ll give what I can.
Jordan – interesting idea. Something I’ve always wished we could do….with food/BBq in the lot and music inside. Being a benefit makes it that much more feasible. Let me think about it.
Swiffer – I definitely remember that day….was one of the first shows I really booked and remember letting you in for soundcheck, etc. I’d like to think we’d treat any music lover like that! Thanks for kind words. Never done a PayPal thing, but I think maybe try to come in more often and/or tell all your friends to do the same! We miss all those faces!!!!
Thanks, guys. I will be in touch.
Benefit show/festival for the brass lantern…
NO BRaINER!!
The Basement Generals are in and will gladly play, eat, drink and donate!
also- sell some t-shirts and a live compilation CD of best of the brass lantern
hey chris! yummy tacos last night! i will definitely try to be in more often. the brass was my regular stomping grounds for years!!!
swiffer – the brass was also the location of my first bp show – june 14, 2002!
Ratty,
Alpha-Zulu and his new company would be happy to sponsor a night close to Christmas. We can easily draw 40-80 people for an Alpha_zulu live/crashbounce event if it starts around 6:30 pm.
Maybe a Tuesday night
Drop m a line
i’ll talk to drew who runs phan phest in kepmton pa. i kno alot of bands that play there got their start at the lantern. maybe he’d like to get involved and help out. he’s a great guy who’s all about the music.
i’ve only lived in the area for a year but when i found out there was a local venue that had all the music i love i was so happy.
you guys showed me the best time recently on my birthday. jeff bujak is an amazing artist, i just wish he had a bigger following out this way.
and thanks to you guys i made a few awesome friends that i kno i will be hanging with forever.