Grand Opening Of The Drake On April 28 Will Feature Regina Carter

Source: Downtown Amherst Foundation

While the doors to The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street in Amherst, will open to the public for the first time on Tuesday April 26 with the Green Street Trio of Northampton Jazz Workshop fame, and the Grand Opening will take place Thursday night, April 28.

The Grand Opening Weekend will showcase performances by celebrated jazz violinist Regina Carter (4/28), Titans of Ethio-Groove & Funk Gili Yalo & the Anbessa Orchestra (4/29), singer/songwriter and chronicler of life Loudon Wainwright III (4/30), homegrown electro fever-pop from Home Body + NOVA ONE (5/1) and culminate in a Ribbon Cutting on Monday, May 2.

Tickets for Grand Opening Weekend and beyond can be purchased here: www.thedrakeamherst.org 

The Downtown Amherst Foundation (DAF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is the driving force behind this venture, whose mission is to bring arts and culture to Downtown Amherst. The Drake will present nightly entertainment from nationally and internationally recognized performers under the purview of Laudable Productions, known for presenting successful music festivals, concerts, and other cultural events across the Pioneer Valley. “We believe in the power of the arts to enrich our lives and knit communities together. The DAF is excited to present a range of artists at the Drake that will appeal to the community’s diverse population and draw culturally curious and savvy travelers from outside the region as well, benefiting Amherst’s many restaurants and other businesses,”  says Cassandra Holden of Laudable. The DAF and the Amherst BID will also be presenting and booking evenings to compliment Laudable and work with the local community. 

Envisioned as a true community based venture, The DAF is collaborating with the Art and Music departments of Amherst College, UMass Amherst, and Amherst-Pelham Regional High School to offer students, faculty, and alumni musicians the opportunity to perform live in an intimate space. Once a month, proceeds from the new “FEED BACK LIVE” series will be donated to a local nonprofit. Many community and education forward series will be announced soon. 

Founded on a vision of diversity and inclusivity for both performers and audience, and adopting its name from the original Drake, a storied Amherst bar which closed in 1985, the Drake will welcome local residents of all ages and attract visitors coming to hear top talent in an intimate and familiar space. “The Grand Opening Weekend lineup would not be possible without the generous support of more than 200 individual donors, Amherst College, the Town of Amherst, the State of Massachusetts, local stakeholders and the Downtown Amherst Foundation and Business Improvement District’s Board of Directors.” 

Located on the second floor of the Amherst Bank Building, in space that has been completely transformed with state of the art lighting and audio installed by Klondike Sound, and a Steinway grand piano courtesy of Amherst College. The venue is open to all ages. For 21+ patrons it will house a full service bar featuring craft cocktails, wine and beer. It will feature both seated and dance floor configurations.

The Drake will be available to rent for private events. 

For the complete calendar of events at the Drake, look here.