New downtown Wilkes-Barre music venue Karl Hall announces first shows
In the basement of the Polish Union Building in downtown Wilkes-Barre, a new music venue is emerging to bring weekly all-ages shows back to the local music scene.
First announced last fall, Karl Hall is finally ready to open its doors to the general public after holding a soft opening concert with Northeastern Pennsylvania rock band Gentleman East on Dec. 29. The small venue, which can fit around 130 people, was recently approved by the Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board to officially begin hosting shows.
Founded by Plains Township drummer A.J. Jump and Mary McKenna, owner of Universal Tours in Wilkes-Barre, is named after McKenna’s late husband, Kevin Karl, who played in area bands like Midnight Rodeo for decades and even performed funny songs with the original Wackjobs for Pittston radio station 98.5 KRZ. Jump is known for his work in local bands like Underground Saints, The Five Percent, Indigo Moon Brass Band, and Abstract Peoples, along with King Radio in Brooklyn, New York.
Filling the void left by Cafe Metro after its closure in 2010, Karl Hall (57B N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre) is booking all genres of music, focusing on supporting and growing local acts, and also plans to host stand-up comedy. Its first several months of concerts have been announced, starting with Brooklyn indie folk band Everything Turned to Color, Rosary Guild, and Joe Burke on Saturday, April 14. The full schedule of events confirmed so far are listed below.
Karl Hall 2018 schedule:
Saturday, April 14: Everything Turned to Color, Rosary Guild, and Joe Burke
Saturday, April 21: Permanence, Alma Mater, and Old Charades
Friday, May 4: Indigo Moon Brass Band
Friday, May 11: Send Request
Saturday, May 12: Highway 81 Revisited Anniversary Party with Lewis & Clarke, Brother Roy, Rosu Lup, and Chris Kearney
Saturday, May 19: The Hill You Die On and Gods of Space
Friday, May 25: Worst Ones, Girls Galore, Das Black Milk, Down to Six
Saturday, May 26: J. Merrick, Gino Lispi featuring Indigo Moon Brass Band, Layne, and DJ Hersh
Friday, June 15: Half Dollar, Underground Saints, and Static in the Attic
Tuesday, July 17: Zac Clark (of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness) and Bob Oxblood (of Jack’s Mannequin)
Saturday, Aug. 4: Folk Night hosted by Sean Flynn and Chris Kearney
