THE CRICKET

June 13, 2024

A Cut Above

Gloucester finally gets the venue it deserves

PHOTO CREDIT: WANGKUN JIA

By Kris McGinn

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a town as cool as Gloucester, steeped in musical culture and history, must be in want of a killer music venue.  And here it is.  The Cut has arrived.  To fill a space that has needed to be filled for — ever.

This enormous space, 12,000 square feet on each level, took two years, $11 million, and just a little bit of “kismet” according to Travis Siewers, director of operations, to get here. 

Siewers along with two investors purchased the building, formerly a CVS on Main Street, in the summer of 2022 and began vision boarding, designing, and looking for the right architect.  Demo began in December of 2022, and The Cut opened early this spring.

Aptly named after the Cut Bridge (also known as the Blynman Bridge), the famous Gloucester drawbridge, The Cut’s logo is set at exactly the same angle as the bridge itself, which opens to let folks pass through to enjoy the unique vibrancy of Cape Ann — much like The Cut itself.

The idea behind the project was that the North Shore has so much to offer in the way of music, and yet venues are few and far between.  With the Shalin Liu offering a premium line up and The Cabot mixing music with theatre, there was just nowhere to go for a general admission show with reasonable food, affordable tickets, and music going all week long.  Until now.

“Gloucester and greater Cape Ann at large is the place to do this because it has always been a hub of art and culture,” explains Siewers, but “… it is like it fell asleep and woke up with the celebration of Gloucester’s 400th - the interest in the painters, writers, and music!  There needed to be a great big venue to celebrate and dance — and all to great music.”  Which is precisely what is going on.

As for the kismet, it began with the tenant on the floor below — the Goddesses.  Husband and wife team Samantha and Tony Goddess had been successfully running their recording studio, Bang-A-Song, for 20 years with a very strong established link to music and band culture. 

The Cut team worked with the Goddesses to create a performance space that was totally band-centric—from load in, load out ease to optimal acoustics, and an epic stage that—thanks to Bang-A-Song—is actually hard wired for live recordings.  Designed by musicians for musicians.

Due to its size, The Cut has (get ready) a full bar in front, a restaurant with tons of seating, two pool tables, a tiny take out window, a merch stand, the stage and performance space itself, an additional space that can be cordoned off with a large curtain for private events, a huge back bar, and soon-to-be-constructed back deck cantilevered to look out over the harbor.  This does not include the 12,000-sq.f. below with the world’s nicest green rooms (complete with kitchenette and laundry!)  Honestly, few places offer “the talent” such swank.

And The Cut has already drawn all kinds of amazing shows.  Reggae, soul, funk, jazz and rock.  That’s in just these first few months, with so much more to come.  Hip hop, heavy metal, folk, blues—you name it.  Additionally, not all of the music offered is ticketed.  The Cut has weeknight live jazz in the front for folks to enjoy while they have a drink or dinner.  And on the weekends a jazz brunch, made even better by the fact that the entire front of the restaurant, facing Main Street, opens up on nicer days for a fresh breeze.  Even passersby can stop and enjoy a bit of live music.

Siewers and Sam Koufman, the Cut’s General Manager, explained that in addition to giving casual music goers a place to gather, they have also seen the wonderful emergence of a more diverse community.  The Cut hosted a drag show that drew a crowd of 475 people.  Sam and Travis noted that this event saw folks of all kinds who wanted to just come out and simply express joy and love.  Period.  The Cut places a high value on diversity of thought and culture and will expand the Cut’s shows to include burlesque, comedy nights, movies nights (The Rocky Horror Picture Show!), drag brunches, art events, makers events, and even a farmers’ market of sorts. They are open to anything.

So, yes, the sleeping music scene of Gloucester is awake!  Ready to dance.  To celebrate.  To gather.  To be. 

Written by Kris McGinn for The Cricket

Source: https://www.thecricket.com/stories/a-cut-above,33041