The Sunset Junction -- it's not just for strippers and drunks anymore.
For years Patrick Kendrick's Platform Booking has been raising the standard for indie shows in Spokane, from the legendary Rock Coffee shows to establishing Caterina Winery as one of Spokane's premiere venues for all-ages music.
Kendrick is expanding his reach even further at the turn of the new year, as Platform Booking takes over marketing and promotions at the Sunset Junction, located at 1801 W. Sunset Blvd., at the edge of Browne's Addition.
Kendrick will continue to book shows at Caterina - through likely fewer of them - but there is a lot of potential in the Sunset space, especially considering it's under new management and is going through a rebranding process to clean up its reputation as a skanky dive bar.
And Kendrick plans on opening up that potential to the entire community.
"I want this space to be utilized by everyone in town," Kendrick said. "I'm calling out to everyone who has any influence in this town to give this a shot. We need something new and lasting."
It's true, while the local scene has been going through some upheaval in lieu of the new sprinkler law, which effectively wiped out RAWK from its Big Dipper home and prompted Empyrean's transplant, having someone like Kendrick stepping up to help re-invent a venue fixture with the attitude of getting other scene leaders involved is a needed dose of hope.
The Som Show will be helping run a Whammy Wednesday open-turntable weekly cominig soon to Sunset. Any interested DJs should contact me at thesomshow@gmail.com.
While the Sunset space is 21-and-older, and has a full sprinkler system, it has a capacity of 200 in the main space, and 65 in the basement.
Caterina is closing in for renovations as the winery shifts its focus back to showcasing great wines and hosting private events. However, Platform will continue to place shows there as well as other spots, such as Mootsy's and The Blvd.
Platform Booking Presents back-to-back Caterina Remodel Kickoff Weekend shows starting Friday with Oil of Angels and its members' many side projects, Space Station Revival, Hallelujah Soul-Explosion and Henry Nordstrom and Vaughn Wood.
Saturday's Caterina Kickoff Weekend Pt. II features more affiliated action with Belt of Vapor and its side projects, Beluga, Fjords, and Seafloor Spreading.
Both shows start at 8 p.m. and have a $5 cover; all-ages welcome.
There's a story on the move in today's Inlander, and one coming in tomorrow Spokesman-Review. Read the Inlander story here.
