Three words: Sexual. Ghost. Energy.
| By Becky Lang |
|
Rumor has it the space occupied by the new West Bank Social Center used to be a brothel. The Center is directly above the Nomad World Pub, and its former tenants, the art collective Hardland/Heartland, warned WBSC director Colin Kloecker that the building was full of “sexual ghost energy.” Considering the fact that the venue is an after-work labor of love for a small group of creatives devoted to creating a space unlike any other in the city, hey—any energy helps.
Kloecker, his girlfriend Shanai Matteson and three others leased the space in hopes of conjuring the building’s essence of amorous spirits (the drinkable as well as the séance-able kind) into an informal, DIY, anything-goes venue in the vein of the recently closed Belfry Center for Social and Cultural Activities in south Minneapolis.
“I feel like it’s been percolating in the city,” Kloecker says of his desire to provide a home for Twin Citians’ rampant creative impulses. He and Matteson were running a variety show called “Salon Saloon” out of the Nomad when they discovered that the space right above the bar was available. With a kitchen, a bathroom and plenty of open floor area, it seemed perfect for anyone—be they art school students or passersby hungry for free wi-fi—to do pretty much anything. Which is exactly the point.
The five directors pay the studio's rent out of pocket and plan to throw parties to cover the bills. Additionally, the West Bank Social Center will host artist talks, dance parties, brunches, “guided adventures,” group nap time (pillows provided) and even a 100-course meal. “It may just be a cracker or a grape course,” Kloecker says, explaining that the ideal function of the space is to allow creative people to turn such Mad Hatter-esque ideas into reality. In the future, the group plans host an event already popular in Chicago and Brooklyn called “Feast,” a dinner party during which guests provide small donations and listen to pitches for artistic projects. The diners vote on the best pitch, with the money going to the winner as a micro-grant.
The directors of the center all have day jobs, so the best way to plan a visit is by checking the event calendar on their web site or following them on Twitter (@wbsc), where they swear to update whenever the doors are unlocked and visitors are free to come in, drink coffee and hang out.
Events
Biophilia
A bi-monthly dance party with a science theme, featuring DJs, a face painter and—trippiest of all—Planet Earth playing on as many screens as possible.
Coffee Klatch
Stop by on Tuesdays between 1–5 p.m. for a cup of coffee and free wi-fi. Swapping stories, books, art and ideas is encouraged.
Sunday Brunch
From 11 a.m.–3 p.m., visitors can enjoy pancakes off the griddle or bring their own bacon and eggs to fry up.
Kloecker, his girlfriend Shanai Matteson and three others leased the space in hopes of conjuring the building’s essence of amorous spirits (the drinkable as well as the séance-able kind) into an informal, DIY, anything-goes venue in the vein of the recently closed Belfry Center for Social and Cultural Activities in south Minneapolis.
“I feel like it’s been percolating in the city,” Kloecker says of his desire to provide a home for Twin Citians’ rampant creative impulses. He and Matteson were running a variety show called “Salon Saloon” out of the Nomad when they discovered that the space right above the bar was available. With a kitchen, a bathroom and plenty of open floor area, it seemed perfect for anyone—be they art school students or passersby hungry for free wi-fi—to do pretty much anything. Which is exactly the point.
The five directors pay the studio's rent out of pocket and plan to throw parties to cover the bills. Additionally, the West Bank Social Center will host artist talks, dance parties, brunches, “guided adventures,” group nap time (pillows provided) and even a 100-course meal. “It may just be a cracker or a grape course,” Kloecker says, explaining that the ideal function of the space is to allow creative people to turn such Mad Hatter-esque ideas into reality. In the future, the group plans host an event already popular in Chicago and Brooklyn called “Feast,” a dinner party during which guests provide small donations and listen to pitches for artistic projects. The diners vote on the best pitch, with the money going to the winner as a micro-grant.
The directors of the center all have day jobs, so the best way to plan a visit is by checking the event calendar on their web site or following them on Twitter (@wbsc), where they swear to update whenever the doors are unlocked and visitors are free to come in, drink coffee and hang out.
Events
Biophilia
A bi-monthly dance party with a science theme, featuring DJs, a face painter and—trippiest of all—Planet Earth playing on as many screens as possible.
Coffee Klatch
Stop by on Tuesdays between 1–5 p.m. for a cup of coffee and free wi-fi. Swapping stories, books, art and ideas is encouraged.
Sunday Brunch
From 11 a.m.–3 p.m., visitors can enjoy pancakes off the griddle or bring their own bacon and eggs to fry up.
link
email
print
