The Southern (former Gravity Lounge) Announces First Shows For Late Summer / Early Fall

James McMurtry, Ingrid Michaelson, and Jolie Holland [l-r]

While the first three show announcements haven't come directly from the new venue's management, they have arrived via Starr Hill Presents, and it looks like the former Gravity Lounge, now named The Southern, should be up and running once again in Charlottesville before summer ends. With a new management team in place, a promised fresh new look, and now a new name and the first official shows on the schedule, it appears like I can start looking forward to seeing some great shows at the site of one of my favorite Charlottesville music venues.

The first two show announcements for The Southern popped up earlier this week in an email highlighting all upcoming performances from Starr Hill Presents. In that press email were a pair of just announced concerts to be held at The Southern. The first show will feature New York indie-pop singer Ingrid Michaelson on Saturday, September 19th at 8pm which will followed the next night by one of my personal favorites, Anti-Records recording artist Jolie Holland on Sunday, September 20th. The third upcoming concert announcement at The Southern appeared earlier today via a Facebook post from Starr Hill Presents' Danny Shea which stated that James McMurtry (another personal fave) had also been added to The Southern's calendar. McMurtry will be returning to town to perform at the new Charlottesville venue on Friday, September 18th. Advance tickets for all three shows are now on sale. [BUY TICKETS]

Gravity Lounge closed its doors back in April after the venue's manager was evicted due to mounting debt and months of unpaid rent. In its five plus year history The Gravity Lounge had become a popular Charlottesville music venue and was probably best known as the area's best listening room. The Gravity played host to countless national and regional touring acts, while also serving as musical home for many local area bands and solo performers.

In late April it was announced that Andy Gems and Lauren McRaven had signed on to become the venue's new managers and by the looks of things they should have The Southern up and running on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall before fall begins. No word on where these shows will serve as an official grand opening or if there's more still to come, but I'll definitely keep you posted.

Related Post: Gravity Lounge::Remembering the Music