New Music Venue to Host Opening Night this Friday
TKP Photo | Alli Lee
EDIT: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this Friday’s show will be held at Rhine Hall Entertainment & Event Venue located at 507 N. Union St., Kokomo, IN 46901
A historic Kokomo building has received a transformation into a new music venue that will host its opening night on Friday, Oct. 25 in Kokomo and you’re invited.
Kokomo's newest music venue, The Gasworks, located at 801 N. McCann St., is set to light up the local scene with an unforgettable opening night.
Headliners The Operators will take the stage after electrifying performances from Leather and Mace and hometown favorite Stackhause to help mark the accomplishment of Kokomo’s own Maxwell Hughey’s lifelong dream of owning a music venue.
We spoke with Hughey about opening night and the inspiration behind adding The Gasworks to the local rock n' roll scene,
“I wanted to have a place of my own that brings all types of people together, where we can share and spread our love of art in all forms.”
Photo Provided | The Gasworks
You may recognize the name of the new venue from the popular 1992 comedy “Wayne’s World,” starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as main characters Wayne and Garth. The idea came to Hughey while watching the movie, where The Gasworks is the place Wayne (Myers) meets his love interest Cassandra (played by Tia Carrere).
“I immediately thought, ‘That’s it! My venue is The Gasworks!’” Hughey said.
Restoring and opening a music venue is a lot of work, but with the help of a group of local artists led by Hughey’s friend, Kayola Markey, they completed a mural of the Japanese film character “Godzilla” breathing fire onto The Gasworks sign above the venue’s entrance. Visitors can also see unique works by the group inside the building, behind the bar area.
Hughey expressed his gratitude for the contributions of the local artist group and local business throughout the project, “Andy’s Pizza came out with a massive spread from their menu to feed our starving artists, and it has quickly become our new favorite finds!”
Those attending opening night can expect to join in a crowd of people dancing and enjoying live music. The bands are going to be performing a high-energy show. Opening on Friday will be Leather and Mace, an award-winning new punk rock band from Indianapolis. They will be followed by the local band Stackhause, a classic hair metal band that will transport you to 1984. The headliner, The Operators, is a seven-piece band with a horn section that will have the crowd dancing with their genre-bending ska.
Photo Provided | The Gasworks
Hughey hopes to expand The Gasworks’ audience by offering The Gasline transportation service, providing round trips from Indianapolis. The Gasline is a 52-person school bus that will pick up showgoers in the north parking lot at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, and return to the same location after the show.
“I’m most excited about all of the opportunities The Gasworks will provide for all kinds of events and artistic collaborations,” Hughey said.
There are many potential ideas for the venue, including skate shows, weddings, movie screenings, and theater performances.
“You can expect to experience a full spectrum of live music and performances in a rock 'n' roll environment with an unbeatable vibe,” Hughey said.
Enjoy this first-look gallery before seeing it in person on Friday night. TKP Photo Gallery | Alli Lee
Find more information and purchase tickets for opening night on The Gasworks website. The event is exclusively for those 18 and older and IDs will be checked at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m.
