South Haven Michigan Original Music, Entertainment, & Performing Arts

Foundry Hall is an all-ages performance venue committed to presenting a quality mix of national, regional and local entertainment to South Haven and its surrounding communities. We program all types and genres of original music and performance in our two venues: the 50-seat Red Room, and the 200-seat Centerstage.

If you are a talented band or solo performer looking for an artist-friendly room to fill with your fans and music, the Foundry Hall may be the place for you. Read our booking policies & promotional information below. The best way to introduce yourself is to send a link to your website with music content. We personally review each of the many show requests we receive every day. If we believe your music may be a good fit for our venue, we will request an album and press kit for further consideration. Please do not call to follow up on your submission - we will contact you if interested. When mailing press kits, please allow two weeks before following up by email.

Booking Policy

Times & Dates - We generally book two to three months in advance, but sometimes have a last minute availability or slot on a bill. We cannot confirm any performance dates more than three months ahead. With few exceptions, performances during the winter months (September - June) are held on Friday and Saturday nights, and begin at 7:30pm. Scheduling during the summer months is more flexible.

Venue - Unless otherwise specified, performances are initially booked to take place in the Red Room (cap. 50). If you anticipate a large crowd for your show, advise your fans, friends and family to purchase tickets in advance at the Foundry Hall website - www.foundryhall.com - or by calling toll-free #800.838.3006. If advance ticket sales are brisk, your show will be moved to the Centerstage (cap. 200/350 standing).

Payment - The Foundry Hall is neither a bar nor club. We do not cover guarantees, though we do occasionally find local sponsors or underwriters for larger shows on a case-by-case basis. Based on several years of experience booking and promoting shows in the South Haven area, the Foundry's standard practice for most performances is to charge a small admission ($5) which is split 50/50 between the headliner and the venue. By keeping admission prices low, we encourage a maximum local turnout for lesser-known artists while keeping enough cash in our audience's pockets to purchase albums and merchandise at intermission and following the show. What this means for you is that while the door percentage may not cover much more than transportation costs, merchandise sales tend to be very good. For our touring performers, healthy food and comfortable lodging in a private home can generally be arranged in advance.

Original Music - ALL material performed at Foundry Hall must be original or in the public domain. Please contact us if you need clarification on this policy. Or, for more information you may download this PDF information sheet/FAQ (courtesy of AS220, Providence, RI).

Venue Description

THE RED ROOM

The Red Room (cap. 50) is a great-sounding, acoustic listening room needing minimal to no amplification. Our audiences have come to expect and appreciate the opportunity to enjoy world-class performances in a houseconcert-like environment. This intimate venue is ideally suited to singer-songwriters, instrumentalists, and unplugged acoustic ensembles without a full drum kit. The Red Room features a small raised stage, and a baby grand piano is available. Electric instruments (guitars/keys/basses) may be run through amplifiers at low volumes; acoustic instruments (including acoustic-electric guitars) should generally be played as such. A small PA is available for vocal reinforcement when necessary. Electronic amplification in the Red Room is allowed solely at the venue's discretion.

THE CENTERSTAGE

Sue Fischer - justhercamera.com The Centerstage (cap. 200 seated/350 standing) at the Foundry is a medium sized venue. Our 600 square foot stage features a full sound system, theatre lighting, Kimball piano, backstage dressing room, and a mezzanine sound/lighting booth at the rear of the hall. The Centerstage is a very live room. Bands are advised to use smaller amps or to turn them down lower than at a heavily acoustically-treated club.

Promotion

PROMOTIONS

Foundry Hall has a good working relationship with many regional media outlets, including newspapers and radio to whom we mail detailed press releases for upcoming shows. We maintain a large email list, and distribute monthly posters and handbills through a number of local businesses, schools and community gathering spaces. To help us promote your upcoming performance through our website, venue, media list, and newsletters, we expect the following:

- 3 posters (minimum)

- 1 album

- hi-resolution press photo (300 dpi)

- press release or band/artist biography

- contact email address

- contact phone number (for interviews)

Posters and albums should be mailed to 422 Eagle St, South Haven, MI 49090-2524. Photos, bios, and contact information can be emailed to info@foundryhall.com.

REGIONAL ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA

We try to give the best possible promotion for each show. As is bound to happen with any venue presenting two or more performances a week, however, many shows still don't receive the coverage they deserve. Please consider doubling our efforts by sending promotional materials (press releases, albums, photographs) of your own to some of the media contacts below, many of whom are often happy to arrange interviews, on-air performances, reviews, or airplay. A little extra effort on your part can make all the difference between a marginally attended show and a sell-out performance.