The Gramophone: Grand Opening March 14 and 15

Back in the day, we talked a bit about the Gramophone, a new venue opening in the Grove. (The logo below is by Peat Wollaeger.)

Just got a press release finally confirming that the grand opening is set for March 14 and 15. Friday's entertaining is Erin Bode Group, while Saturday has the Phat NoiZ Band at 6 p.m. and Serapis at 9 p.m.

The venue -- located at 4243 Manchester Avenue -- promises diverse music choices in the vein of jazz, blues, funk and rock.

The weekly schedule looks something like this:

Tuesdays: live jazz
Wednesdays: StlBlues.net night (featuring national and local aritsts)
Thursday: Sound Clash, a mix of funk, soul and rock spun by DJs Needles and Crucial
Friday/Saturday: A mix of local and national acts

View the rest of March's schedule here.

The venue is open from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and is 21+ (unless noted). Parking's available on Manchester or in a free lot west of the building. It's non-smoking (yes!) and capacity should be around 200 people (although that number isn't set in stone yet).

The owners are Kim and Roo Yawitz (the latter of whom you might be familiar with because of his affiliation with F5 Records). I met with them in December, and their aim is to create a "laid-back, come-as-you-are" venue that's also "versatile." (The phrase "classic, old music feel" also came up.) I'm personally really excited to see the venue and what they've come up with -- and their commitment to diversity and bringing in a varied crowd.

Visit the Gramophone on its MySpace or Web site; its phone number is 314-531-5700.

-- Annie Zaleski