Live Music Matters
Antone's to close, making way for The Infest, a DIY music and art space to open this spring
A DIY music and arts space is set to move into Antone’s live music club at Fifth Street and Lavaca streets and open by April 1, 2013, CultureMap has learned.
The space will be known as The Infest and is being opened by Michigan natives Ben and Chelsea Riseman, who had been in talks over the summer to move into the former Emo’s location on Red River. That deal fell through in August, opening up the chance to move into the iconic blues and rock club Antone’s, which is closing due to declining attendance in recent years.
Riseman, 30, ran a similar space, called Project Infest, out of a converted Los Angeles warehouse from 2009 to 2011 but had to close down that operation because of difficulties gaining permits. While live music heavily focused on punk rock was a big ingredient of Project Infest, the space also featured open mic nights, art exhibits, plays and even, on some occasions, massive games of community dodge ball.
Riseman said a similar spirit will inhabit the former Antone’s space, which he plans on keeping mostly in its current configuration.
“There will be a large music base along with live drawing, open mics, spoken word performances and different kinds of plays,” he said. “In L.A. we let anything happen under the sun there and so what we do here is based largely on what ideas people bring forward, and how involved the community gets.”
Riseman moved to Austin last year because of the city’s live music reputation and friendlier business climate and said he’s looking forward to keeping music and art in a space that could’ve easily given way to condominium development. And he said he and his partners plan to work hard to build a positive reputation in one of Austin’s most iconic rooms and turned down an opportunity to move into the nearby Republic Live space.
“People hopefully will understand that we’re trying to take this over in the right way and keep the spirit in there of a club that started out kind of a cult place, on the fringe of what people listened to,” he said.
“We want to prove a platform for people who want to get all different kinds of things out there. Punk rock will be a big piece of what we do there, but we don’t want it to seem like this is just a bunch of punks coming in and taking the place over.”
Antone’s could find a new home at Beauty Ballroom, Frank Hendrix tells CultureMap. Read more about the fate of Antone's and other properties run by Emo’s East owner Frank Hendrix.
One of the weekend's major talking points was the addition of the new Paddock Hospitality track at the top of Turn 1. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although he is not in contention for a repeat championship, Lando Norris remains a crowd favorite. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli led from the start, never losing placement as he claimed his ninth win of the season. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It was hard to get a moment with Paddock star the Ferrari Pope, who posed for pictures all weekend. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli greeted the Grandstand before boarding the trailer ahead of the Driver's Parade on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lily Zneimer stopped for a quick portrait before heading into the McLaren garage to support her boyfriend, driver Oscar Piastri.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Michael Dell made their way to the McLaren garage just before the qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It takes a well-oiled machine of a team to win races. No drama, just fist bumps and good communication. Oh, and a fast car.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
COTA's new attraction is the theme park, aptly named COTALand. Clearly, the jury remains out on the spectacle. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's not uncommon to see fans lined up outside of the Paddock as they wait for their favorite drivers and teams to head out for the day. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Last year's US Grand Prix winner, Max Verstappen, finished third this year after starting second on the grid. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Alpine's pit crew got their warm-ups done shortly before race start on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Interior designer and Miss Jamaica Universe 1994 Angelie Spencer was on site to support her favorite team, Ferrari. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Having Cadillac driver and fan favorite Checo Perez back on the grid has been great for the US Grand Prix, as thousands of Mexicans come to Austin to watch their countryman race. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's no surprise who fashion influencer Aimee Kelly supports.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Antonelli took home the winner’s trophy, he did not clinch the driver’s championship as some had hoped. He needed teammate George Russell to fall to 9th and ex-Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish in 5th. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Mercedes garage was full of adrenaline as they waited for Antonelli to arrive at parc fermé and take the traditional plunge into the hands of his crew.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The championship is all but Antonelli’s, with one hand firmly on the grip of the trophy. He is expected to complete his first-ever world championship this weekend in Mexico.Photo by Daniel Cavazos