The Listening Room | Fargo ND

The Listening Room in Fargo is just what the name implies. A cool
little studio/gallery that caters to the performing songwriters/storytellers
and pulls in the audience that comes to listen to them. I'm looking
forward to my third time in. Eric Taylor - bluerubymusic.com

The Listening Room is a live music venue located at The Spirit Room, 111 Broadway North in Fargo, ND. Dedicated to creative, contemplative and healing arts, the Spirit Room is pleased to partner with this listening experience.

Listeners sit comfortably on padded chairs in this intimate setting where the musicians are only a few feet away. To get any closer, you would have to invite them into your living room... which is really what this is all about. This is a place where the performers are able to connect with the audience in a way that cannot be experienced in concert halls or outdoor festivals.

During the break and after the show people get to know the musicians and one another. It is a music community where friends meet and newcomers are welcomed as old friends.

If you are looking for a place to listen to music without the distractions of a noisy bar - or if you are a musician who is looking for a place to be heard, you have found it.

Our format is very similar to what you find with House Concerts. Musicians receive 100% of admission. The Spirit Room generously provides the space and advertising, and the manager donates his time and equipment. We are proud to host quality musicians from around the country.

Check us out and you will see why The Listening Room is the favorite music spot for both musicians and listeners!

______________________
From The Manager

I worked my way through school writing songs and playing in restaurants, bars and coffee-houses. Knowing how good it is when musicians have a listening audience, I started this venue where the focus is the performer's music.

My acoustic music listening roots grew out of Houston's Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant in the early 1970's. I heard the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Eric Taylor, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, Lyle Lovette, Ramblin Jack Elliot, and Lucinda Williams. It was (and is) an old comfortable building with a great listening room, a library where you could sit on one of the ratty couches or stuffed chairs and pull a book off the shelf. It was a community of musicians and music lovers.

When people sat in the listening room, they listened. The music was why they were there. It was a place where musicians and their music were respected. If someone were foolish enough to start a conversation during a performance, someone would not-so-gently suggest they go out to the bar or to the library if they wanted to talk.

With the ongoing support of Dawn Morgan, executive director of Fargo's "Spirit Room", and the Spirit Room Board of Directors, The Listening Room begins its second year. "The mission of the Spirit Room is to enrich people's lives through the development and practice of creative, contemplative and healing arts." The Listening Room is proud to partner with the Spirit Room in their mission.

2009 was a great year and we met our goal of 10 concerts, taking off the summer as planned. This year we will add one, possibly two more concerts. We have confirmed bookings through October and tentative dates for November and December. We are in the process of becoming approved as a non-profit organization. Our hope is to secure grants and more sponsors to increase our advertising and to be able to offer small guarantees to our performers.

Putting together a good stage and sound system is one of my favorite hobbies (not to mention my most expensive vice!) With the new year will come a new stage lighting system and some additional sound equipment. I used to wonder if one could ever have enough guitars. Now that I am selling some guitars to afford more mics, I wonder if you can ever have enough mics!

I am committed to bringing quality musicians to the stage and providing a place where musicians like to play. If you have been with us this last year, keep coming and bring your friends! If you haven't been yet, come join us and enjoy the most unique music venue in Fargo!

Scott Curfman