Every US Venue That Was Awarded a Music in Action Grant in 2025
Live Music Society is an organization and project founded by Pete Muller to help small venues across the United States with mission-aligned community development programs survive, thrive, and carry on their essential work.
The Music in Action grant was set up as a fund designed to help venue owners and managers implement creative ideas to expand their audience, engage with their community, and generate new sources of revenue. With inclusivity as a core component, Music in Action grant recipients are further empowered to cultivate a sense of unity with their projects.
As a team of touring musicians and live music industry professionals, we’re huge fans of the work that LMS does here at Hypebot and Bandsintown. If you’re a musician or a tour booking agent, and want to make a stronger effort to support venues in the cities along your route actively working to embolden and strengthen marginalized fan and artist around them, take note of these venues.
Without further ado, here are all of the 2025 Music In Action Grantees.
5 Points Music Sanctuary — Roanoke, VA
5 Points Music Sanctuary is dedicated not only to presenting exceptional performances but also to preserving music as a universal language that cultivates deeper connections and strengthens communities. Through their programs and shared spaces, the organization endeavors to embody this source of inspiration, providing audiences with the resilience and purpose to persevere.
54 Below — New York, NY
Founded in 2012 by Broadway producers Steve Baruch, Richard Frankel, and Tom Viertel, 54 Below is New York’s premier Broadway-themed supper club. Located beneath the legendary Studio 54, it was created as a space for cabaret and Broadway artists to showcase new work and connect with audiences in an intimate, 146-seat setting. In 2023, following pandemic-related financial challenges, 54 Below transitioned to a nonprofit, with its founders becoming board leaders. The venue now deepens its commitment to supporting emerging talent, hosting cast reunions, and nurturing new musicals. Presenting over 700 performances a year—including two shows nightly and regular weekend brunches—54 Below continues to celebrate and expand the art of cabaret for a new generation.
Arden Gild Hall — Wilmington, DE
Arden Concert Gild brings music to 160-year-old Gild Hall in Arden, Delaware. Located less than thirty minutes south of Philadelphia, the hall is nestled in the woods of the world-renowned art colony and villages, founded under the “Single-Tax” movement in 1900 by sculptor Frank Stephens and architect Will Price. Serving as a venue for performances dating back to its 1910 remodeling, the Gild Hall stage has been graced by Lead Belly, Pete Seeger, and Burl Ives, amongst countless others. The Concert Gild was founded in 1997 producing a handful of shows a year, and has grown since 2002 to include a group of volunteer producers and dozens of show-day volunteers. We are an all-volunteer gild of the Arden Club, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit community organization.
AS220 Main Stage — Providence, RI
Since 1985, AS220 has offered all musicians and artists from Rhode Island (and beyond) the opportunity to perform their original work. With a unique unjuried and uncensored approach to booking, all artists, at any stage of their career, are welcome to share their art, regardless of popularity or ability to generate revenue. As such, our venue also acts as an educational platform, as oftentimes performers and curators book their first gig in our spaces. For four decades, playing at AS220 has been both a key first step for homegrown talent in Rhode Island and a valuable pathway for those heading to international stardom; and a space for audiences of all ages to experience affordable live music and performance in every form imaginable.
Ashkenaz Music & Dance — Berkeley, CA
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, or just “Ashkenaz,” is a 52-year-old music venue and dance hall in the heart of West Berkeley dedicated to presenting music and dance from around the world. The venue holds decades of stories of community members — composed of dancers, musicians, audience members, volunteers, and staff, both past and present — who have found themselves drawn to this unique building and the music that lives within.
Cobra Lounge — Chicago, IL
Since 2006, Cobra Lounge has been a staple of Chicago’s West Town music scene, known for its intimate setting, diverse lineup, and loyal community of music lovers. From rising local acts to touring bands across genres, the venue offers unforgettable live performances in a relaxed, welcoming space. With great food, craft drinks, and a passion for supporting emerging talent, Cobra Lounge remains a go-to destination for live music and good times in the heart of the city.
Color Club — Chicago, IL
Built in 1922, the building that is now Color Club was first the meeting place of Chicago’s Independent Order of Vikings. The Latvian Community Center and Folk Art Museum took ownership in 1958 and have celebrated countless occasions within the building’s two ballrooms, tavern, museum and more. Now, Color Club operates as a gathering space for Chicago’s creative community – part music venue, part experimental incubator for the city’s next generation of emerging talent.
Crowbar — Tampa, FL
Crowbar is a premier independent live music and event venue in the heart of Tampa’s Historic Ybor City. Celebrated for its intimate atmosphere and high-energy performances, it has long been a cornerstone of the local music scene, hosting a wide range of artists across rock, punk, hip-hop, electronic, and more. Dedicated to both emerging talent and nationally touring acts, Crowbar offers a welcoming space that reflects Tampa’s vibrant music culture. Its dynamic setup includes The Crow’s Nest Beer Garden—an inviting outdoor area that hosts weekly and monthly events. Whether you’re catching a live band, dancing to a DJ set, or joining a community gathering, Crowbar delivers an authentic, electric experience in Ybor City.
eTown Hall — Boulder, CO
eTown Hall is a multi-purpose building in the heart of downtown Boulder that is a world-class live music venue, full-service recording studio, and a true community center. Converted from an old church facility, this building is not only one of the greenest performance halls in the country, it’s also one of the best sounding music and media centers in Colorado. eTown Hall is a home for the values and ideas that have helped make eTown thrive since 1991. It’s a place for music, certainly, but also so much more.
Flat Iron — Greensboro, NC
Nestled in downtown Greensboro, NC, Flat Iron is a beloved live music venue that has become a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant cultural scene. This intimate venue offers an acoustically treated space where both emerging and established artists captivate all-ages audiences with high-quality sound and dynamic performances. Flat Iron’s commitment to diversity is evident in its eclectic lineup, which spans genres from indie rock and folk, to hip-hop, jazz, and punk. Owned and operated by musician Josh King, and his wife Abbey Spoon, Flat Iron takes an artist-centric approach to venue management, and has flourished as a hub for both local talent and national touring acts.
Floyd Country Store — Floyd, VA
The Floyd Country Store honors Appalachian music and culture by fostering community through music, dance, art, and food rooted in regional traditions. Together with The Handmade Music School, it offers welcoming spaces and opportunities to engage with centuries-old mountain heritage, using the power of music and dance to connect people in meaningful and unexpected ways.
Greenwood Social Hall — Kansas City, MO
Greenwood Social Hall is an intimate performance venue in Kansas City, Missouri dedicated to showcasing diverse artistic voices. With a focus on platforming queer, BIPOC, and women musicians, storytellers, and artists, Greenwood provides a space for deep connection between performers and audiences. Housed in a historical building with a century-long legacy, the venue blends rich history with a commitment to cultural enrichment. Through concerts, storytelling events, and community gatherings, Greenwood Social Hall fosters an inclusive and artist-centered environment that celebrates authenticity and creativity.
Indexical — Santa Cruz, CA
Indexical is dedicated to experimentation in music. The Santa Cruz venue engages the public in radical and unfamiliar work through performance, publication, documentation, educational initiatives, and discussion. They work with historically, culturally, and institutionally underrepresented artists and build community through long-term collaborative projects.
The Jazz Station — Eugene, OR
The Jazz Station located in the heart of downtown Eugene, Oregon, is a neighborly 70-seat capacity venue. We are the only community-run, non-profit jazz club in the state of Oregon; and one of only a handful active in the nation. Our mission is to “foster a vibrant local jazz scene through concerts and eductional programs that encourage our community to love, study and perform live jazz.”
No Name Bar — Winona, MN
No Name Bar is the heartbeat of Winona’s music and art scene, known for its carefully curated cocktails, live performances, and thought-provoking programming. Weekends play host to live music and entertainment, while year-round events encourage conversation & community. The venue’s rotating art installations spotlight local and regional talent.
Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe — Galveston, TX
The Old Quarter is a historic venue located in downtown Galveston, Texas. The original Old Quarter was in Houston, TX, during the burgeoning folk music scene of the early 60’s. Hosting many of the then up and coming songwriters of the time including Townes Van Zandt, and Guy Clark. All the while breaking down racial barriers by hosting legendary Blues artists like Lightning Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb and others. After a fire in the late 70’s the venue closed its doors for almost 2 decades before Rex Bell reopened it in Downtown Galveston in the mid 90’s. It has remained open since, hosting many great artists and even giving birth to some that went on to have successful careers in music.
OPOLIS — Norman, OK
For over 20 years, Opolis has been Norman, Oklahoma’s legendary small-but-mighty music hub, where local artists play their first shows and touring acts deliver unforgettable performances in an intimate 150-capacity space. Known for its dark, minimalist vibe and a famously massive sound system, the venue is all-ages and serves up vegan eats. In 2022, a cooperative of musicians who grew up on its stage took over, preserving its legacy while adding fresh energy—including a new music school offering lessons onsite. Still a home for misfits and music lovers, Opolis remains a vital space for local Oklahoma musicians and touring artists.
Pie Shop — Washington, DC
Pie Shop is an independent, locally owned an operated, all ages music venue located in the historic H Street Corridor in Washington DC, that specializes in two things: fresh pie and live music. Pie Shop is an intimate and inclusive space, built by musicians for musicians, that prioritizes community and celebrates the incredible homegrown talent found in Washington DC.
Sam First — Los Angeles, CA
Sam First is a leading contemporary jazz venue in Los Angeles and a nonprofit organization. They are dedicated to presenting and promoting jazz through live performances, artist development, and community engagement. They present live jazz five nights a week. They also do Sam First Records, their label where they document live concerts at the club for record releases.
SJZ Break Room — San Jose, CA
Opened in 2019, The SJZ Break Room is San Jose Jazz’s first-ever venue—a bold space dedicated to showcasing South Bay talent and connecting local artists with broader audiences through high-quality livestreams. Staffed by young musicians from San Jose State and SJZ’s High School All Stars, it’s also a training ground for the next generation of diverse music professionals. With innovative programming and community at its core, The Break Room is where local sound meets global reach.
Spire Center for Performing Arts — Plymouth, MA
Founded in 2010, the Greater Plymouth Performing Arts Center (GPPAC) set out to create a vibrant arts hub for the region. Their vision found a home in a historic 1886 Methodist church in downtown Plymouth. In 2012, Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly to invest $650,000 in Community Preservation Funds to acquire and renovate the site at 25 ½ Court Street. The town then entrusted GPPAC with a 100-year, near-free lease, launching what is now known as The Spire—a cornerstone of local culture and downtown revitalization. In 2022, another landslide vote (92–2) approved a $3.6 million exterior restoration, replacing outdated aluminum siding and restoring the building’s original 19th-century charm. Today, The Spire stands as both a preserved historic treasure and a dynamic stage for the performing arts.
State Street Pub — Indianapolis, IN
Since 2015, State Street Pub has been a cornerstone of Indianapolis’ near Eastside, delivering bold, boundary-pushing music and events. From punk and hip-hop to ambient, techno, drag, and experimental art, SSP champions local talent while hosting standout acts from across the U.S. and beyond. Known for its eclectic programming and welcoming vibe, SSP is the go-to spot to hear something fresh, fearless, and unforgettable. SSP is a friendly and supportive space where one can guarantee to hear something new and exciting at when they walk through the door.
Towne Crier Cafe — Beacon, NY
Founded in 1972 with roots in Greenwich Village, Towne Crier Cafe relocated to a historic stagecoach stop in Beekmanville, embracing the folk and singer-songwriter traditions of the ’60s. Legendary artists like Pete Seeger, Odetta, and Richie Havens have graced its stage, alongside a diverse lineup spanning music, theater, dance, and film. Renowned as a premier “listening room,” the Cafe has been a vital part of New York’s Hudson Valley music scene for over 50 years and continues to nurture world-class and regional talent.
Tubby’s — Kingston, NY
Tubby’s is an intimate, independently owned bar and music venue located in the Midtown neighborhood of Kingston, NY. Over the past seven years, it has hosted thousands of bands, consistently showcasing an impressive caliber of national and regional talent on its modest stage. Known for its efficient “two-band, done-by-11pm” format, Tubby’s emphasizes a streamlined and fan-friendly experience. With a dedicated, artist-first ethos and a close-knit staff, the venue has earned a reputation as a beloved hub for live music in the Hudson Valley.
The Venue — Aurora, IL
Established in 2019, The Venue is a premier music destination in Aurora, Illinois, showcasing blues, jazz, and a variety of other genres. Known for its intimate setting and diverse programming, The Venue is not only a hub for live performances but also a platform for music education and community engagement. Operated by the Fox Valley Music Foundation, The Venue plays a vital role in nurturing the local music scene and enriching the cultural fabric of the region – and is the kind of place that reminds you why live music matters.
World Stage Performance Gallery — Los Angeles, CA
The World Stage Performance Gallery, founded in 1987, by Jazz great and master drummer Billy Higgins, internationally known writer/poet Kamau Daaood and the late community activist/ Jazz pianist/composer, Horace Tapscott, is an iconic, cultural live music venue located in Leimert Park village, Los Angeles, CA. With a mission to secure, preserve, and advance the position of African American music, literature, and works in the oral tradition to a local, national and international audience, “The Stage”, as it is affectionately called, is a collective vision born out of a desire to fill a creative cultural void in the Los Angeles community. It provides a space for “genius homegrown artists and writers to jam and create.” As a full service venue hosting live streamed concerts, recording sessions and in person live concert experiences, The World Stage, produces a Weekend concert series for more than 90 attendees. The World Stage has spawned the careers of noted international Jazz and Literary artists such as: Patrice Rushen, Kamasi Washington, Michael Datcher, PhD and Dwight Trible. Notable artists concerts include Benny Maupin, Billy Childs, Ernie Watts and Karen Briggs. The World Stage fosters community through its intergenerational, multicultural, Artist collective. Bridging a cultural gap in southern Los Angeles, often underserved, with consistent live music concerts by seasoned and new Jazz, International and World music Artists, The World Stage Performance Gallery is a mecca for innovative Artistic expression and musicianship.
Learn more about Music In Action grants here.
