When, where: Feb. 6 at Empyrean Coffee House, 171 S. Washington St.
Cover: To be announced.
Empyrean Coffee House is cozying up to its new home.
The coffee house, local arts hub and all-ages music venue re-opened at the former Big Dipper space, 171 S. Washington St., a couple of weeks ago.
While the sign on the south outside wall still reads Big Dipper, on the inside it's all Empyrean, as evidenced by the paintings of female Siamese-twin side show freaks anchoring the circus mural and coffee drinking owls on chalkboard menus.
With a few finishing touches in the works - like the staircase to upper seating area, and the addition of 10 beer taps behind the bar - Empyrean already has a full schedule of literary and local and touring music events, highlighted by Chinatown dance-rock band The Slants, which comes to Empyrean on Feb. 6.
The main difference inside between the old Empyrean and the new space is that Empyrean no longer has it's signature dedicated listening room for music, but owners Chrisy and Michelle Riddle enlisted the help of the local music and arts scene to re-sculpt the space to serve as a venue and a coffee shop in one and continue to serve its vital role as one of only a couple of dedicated all-ages live music venues left in town.
"Another goal we had when we first opened Empyrean three years ago was that it would be a community center not only for music but for art and writing as well," Chrisy Riddle said. "When we moved, we asked friends who are artists to be in charge of various areas... which is why we have a circus theme mural on the bathroom doors and, you know, a figure of female siamese twins... "
Even with the addition of more seating in the adjusted floor plan, Empyrean's new occupancy is 110, slightly larger than the Madison St. space, and that will change once the staircase is open to the upper viewing area.
Empyrean is also expanding its menu, offering homemade hummus and pizzas for the lunch crowd.
Tonight at 7 p.m. Empyrean hosts local favorite Hey Is For Horses, with White Buffalo and Joe Firstman. Saturday at 7 p.m. is the CD release party for local experimental band Portrait of a Gentleman.
Hailing from Portland, The Slants have been featured on NPR and they have packed crowds at both rock clubs and anime festivals.
The members of The Slants are all of Asian descent, which they are proud to point out through tongue-in-cheek lyrical references set to Brit-synth-pop inspired dance gems.
Future highlights at Empyrean include The Maldives, The Cave Singers, David Bazan and The Appleseed Cast. Empyrean's Grand Re-Opening Party happens Feb. 19-21. Details to come.
Check the video panel to see footage of opening day at the new Empyrean - including an acoustic performance by John Blakesley - along with an exclusive interview with Empyrean Owner Chrisy Riddle.
(A version of this story appeared in today's Spokesman-Review Newspaper.)
