The former 7-Eleven store at N. Clark St. Access Contemporary Music broke ground on its Lake View location in December, and the venue is expected to open this year.
The site, at N. The company is linked to Illinois video gambling mogul Rick Heidner. Heidner Property told ACM after its impasse that it was always going to rent to them, according to Boustead. The process of transforming the former convenience store into a hybrid music performance and education space has been going smoothly ever since.
The location will have four teaching rooms that can accommodate about 60 to 70 students, Boustead said, in addition to performance space and a bar. ACM hopes the intimate size of the venue will allow patrons to connect more with the music. Boustead said he believes people are hungry for in-person experiences and music can be a powerful medium. ACM hopes the Lake View venue will help make classical music more accessible for people in the community.
Shows will be more intimate, with opportunities to talk to musicians after performances. There are also plans to host events like open mic and game nights. ACM wants to start teaching classes at the center by May and have a grand opening around September. The nonprofit will be hiring at Checkout, Boustead said, including positions for musicians and teachers.
ACM is looking to match that value through possible state funding and individual donations. The Sun-Times is free but the journalism is not. Reader support powers the news. Here's how you can help. The Hardest-Working Paper in America. My Account Manage Account Log out. Home Delivery Donate. Menu News. Show Search Search Query Search. By Abby Miller. Next Up In Business. Chicago mayoral aides outlined plans to regulate hemp products.
