Furniture exec opens High Point music hall
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, March 15, 2010
HIGH POINT —
Furniture executive Gabriele Natale's entrance into the music business can best be described as accidental.
Last year during an outdoor beach music event in High Point, rain prompted Natale to offer the first floor of his former showroom at 400 English Road here to a crowd of 900 attendees.
That was the spark. Those in attendance suggested he consider using the venue as a music hall. In November, Natale, president of Lifestyle Enterprise's Shanghai Leather Division, opened The Aquarius Music Hall.
“One of my partners came up with the name and we all loved it. I have never run a music venue,” Natale said. “Most of the staff we have is from (former Winston-Salem, N.C., music venue) Ziggy's and so far it has been working very well.”
Thus far it has seen performances by Junior Brown, Donna the Buffalo, Cowboy Mouth and the Carter Brothers Band. Upcoming national acts include former Traffic member Dave Mason, the writer of “Feelin' Alright” and “We Just Disagree” (March 26) and country rap rock musician Uncle Kracker (April 9), among others.
The century-old, three-story Adams Millis Hosiery Mill building is fully restored and has a 1,000-person capacity. The 25,000-square-foot hall features exposed-brick walls and hardwood floors.
Those features have added to the appeal of the building's acoustics and earned plaudits from visiting acts, said Ann Richards, director of marketing for Aquarius.
The 20-by-32-foot stage is set up against a long wall instead of deep at the end of building, and some fan areas wrap around the stage.
Richard said plans for the facility include use as a special events venue for parties, meetings, trade show events and reunions. It is drawing national names from a spectrum of genres including jazz, blues, rock and hip hop.
“There is a need in High Point for live music and (Natale) is filling that need,” Richards said. “We're not trying to narrow ourselves down to one type of band because we're trying to get a lot of crowds.”
Since November, Richards said, its crowds have grown as has its following online.
The venue looks to do about eight shows a month, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights.
“There are lots of bands that travel through North Carolina and never stop in the Triad. We want to change that,” Richards said.
The week of the spring High Point Market, it will host Acoustic Syndicate on April 16 and Absolute 80s on April 17. A yet-to-be named national headliner act also is in the works, Richards said.
Another plus of the music hall is its contribution to the city's downtown revitalization efforts, she said. “It all brings activity and bodies into High Point and makes it a better place.”
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