Coran Capshaw is expanding his live-music footprint on the Downtown Mall, today announcing a new partnership with The Southern Café & Music Hall.
Starr Hill, the concert promotion arm of Capshaw’s Red Light Management, released a statement today that confirmed the new relationship pairing the small venue on South First Street with the local industry giant, which controls the nTelos Wireless Pavilion and the Jefferson Theater.
“The Southern will undergo a short hiatus over the summer and upon re-opening, will continue on as one of Central Virginia’s premier destinations for live music, hosting events year round and providing a daily traditional Southern dining and drinking experience,” reads a press release from Starr Hill.
The Southern’s owner, Andy Gems, took over what was then The Gravity Lounge in 2009, investing in sound upgrades and shifting the venue’s focus from folk to indie rock and Americana acts.
“You don’t pour your heart and soul into operating a music venue unless you’re incredibly passionate about live music and as someone that truly loves the experience of a show, I’ve often felt compelled to send the folks at Starr Hill Presents a thank you card for all of the great shows they’ve brought to town,” Gems said in a brief statement included in Starr Hill’s release. “To that end, I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership and for the future of live music in Charlottesville and the Central Virginia region.”
The exact nature of the partnership, including whether it gives an ownership share to Capshaw’s promotion company, is not yet clear.
According to The Southern’s website, the venue’s next show, Gregory Alan Isakov on July 11, has been moved to the Jefferson.