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    Music

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    After Skull Alley closed its doors a group of people came together and decided that Louisville needed

    an all ages venue, thus

     the Chestnut House opened its doors at 

    714 East Chestnut Street as a DIY music venue. For those who don't know what DIY stands for, it means “Do It Yourself.” As a general philosophy, it’s about taking direct action to live independently from capitalist society.  The young people who are trying to make this venue succeed are trying to create a space that fosters the music community and doesn't operate solely on selling alcohol. They are creating a venue that nurtures Louisville's 

    community of artists, activists, musicians, anarchists, punks, crafters, queers, writers, lovers, fighters, haters, and builders.

    The group moved into the house May 5, 2010 and shortly after started having shows.  The Chestnut House has since hosted a slew of shows including these bands:

    1994!
    Admiral Ackbar

    Agitator
    Agress

    Agnostic Front
    Alcohol Party
    Algernon Cadwallader

    All Teeth
    All Dinosaurs
    Another Mistake
    Antilles
    Bane
    Black and Blue
    Black Breath
    Brain Trust
    Brave Youth
    By The Grace Of God
    Chicken Little
    Cornered
    Damaged Goods
    Daylight
    Daytrader

    Downpresser

    Enough
    Evil Grimace
    Expire
    Foundaton

    xGreat

    Scotsx

    Harms Way
    Holger

    Ivy League
    Kills and Thrills
    Late Ones
    Lay Down And Die
    Madeline Eva
    Minus

    Mother Of Mercy
    Mountain Asleep
    Mote
    Mustangs
    New Morality
    Native
    Neighbor
    Noose
    Overrule
    Overseer
    RazorXFade

    Pomegranates
    Product Of Waste
    Ramshackle Glory
    Rotting Out
    Savages
    Snowing
    Soul Search
    Straight A's
    Such Gold
    Take Offense
    The Foxery

    The New Mexico
    The New Yorker
    Tin Armor
    Title Fight
    Trap Them
    Twitching Tongues
    Two Hand Fools
    Vaderbomb

    Vegasus

    Vices
    Walkthrough
    Written Off
    Xerxes
    Young Lions

    And many more...

    Recently the police started checking out the place after an anonymous caller started filing several noise complaints. The Chestnut House is seeking to be a legitimate music venue to save what they've grown to love, so they are now striving to sound proof both front rooms as soon as possible.

    Since they also charge cover at the door they may also have to obtain a commercial license which will cost them a pretty penny.  For those who love this venue and want to see it keep going the Chestnut House is taking donations to help offset these costs. You may make a donation by sending it through paypal to Alexandrarhema@gmail.com.  For further questions you can email chestnutxhouse@gmail.com

    The Chestnut House has also issued these new rules to help prevent any further police issues:

    1. Absolutely no drinking/alcohol is allowed in or outside of the show.

    2. If you come to a show there you must stay inside the yard (past the black gate) or inside the show at all times. 

    Photo: courtesy of the Chestnut House Facebook page

    Anna Blanton's picture

    About Anna Blanton

    Anna Blanton holds a Bachelors of Arts in Music (violin) and a Minor in Marketing from the University of Louisville. Anna currently plays with the Paducah Symphony, Southern Sirens, and The Porch Possums. She is also organizes the backup string section for the Beatles festival, Abbey Road on the River.

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