The Bartlett will soon be Spokane’s newest music venue
by Claire Hunter
Take note, stir-crazy scholars, a new music venue will soon be gracing Spokane with its presence: the Bartlett.
The Bartlett is for those who believe Spokane should become more in-tune with the up-and-coming music scene. Owners Caleb and Karli Ingersoll hope to introduce Spokane to its young and undiscovered musicians, while also drawing in bands that normally skip Spokane when touring the Pacific Northwest. The Ingersolls aim to open their 4,000-square-foot venue in a historic downtown building late spring.
During the day, the Bartlett will feature (in a cozier and more intimate setting) pour-over coffee. There will also be a smaller stage for events such as open mic nights, singer-songwriter shows and poetry readings. In the evening, the coffee bar will convert to a 21-and-over beer and wine bar with a limited food menu, while the concert area will remain open for all ages.
Karli said one part of their focus is bringing in touring bands, and the other is to showcase local bands.
“Through the bigger bands coming through town, the local bands can have something that will get them excited and push them to work hard,” Karli said.
The Ingersolls’ fundraising plans have taken on a grassroots-like quality. So far they have raised $21,085 of the $30,000 they need on Indiegogo, an online fundraising platform. Donors had the opportunity to receive a live recording of an unreleased song by musician Noah Gundersen as one of the incentives of donating, Karli said.
In order to raise more money and promote their venue, last Friday the owners put on a concert at The Bing Crosby Theater featuring Seattle band Pickwick, along with musicians Kevin Long and Sera Cahoone.
“We’re trying to keep doing events and keep being present,” Karli said. “It was awesome. We had a great turnout. All of the bands were from Seattle and they just loved it and had a really great time.”
Tickets for the Pickwick concert were sold through Global Neighborhood Thrift, a humanitarian organization owned by Whitworth alumni couple Brent and Amy Hendricks.
“Brent and Amy have been really good friends of ours for several years,” Karli said. “They are trying to support us however they can, so they just offered to sell tickets.”
Karli said they would like to book bands from Whitworth once the Bartlett is open.
“We would love to get more connected with people from Whitworth because some of the greatest local bands I’ve known have started at Whitworth,” Karli said.
Contact Claire Hunter at chunter15@my.whitworth.edu