Campaign Launched to Save 'The Space' in Hamden

Hit hard financially by the Winter of 2015, The Space in Hamden is asking for help to keep the music venue open and they’re hoping musicians will band together to participate in two upcoming fundraising concerts.

A GoFundMe page has also been launched to help with fundraising efforts.

The Space, located at 295 Treadwell Street in Hamden, had many of its concerts canceled over the winter which left the venue without the needed income to cover the costs of operation. Also a promoter from out of state who held events at The Space went out of business and “didn’t pay us for various events, which put us in an even tougher financial spot,” according to the GoFundMe page.

The two fundraising concerts will be held on Aug. 21 and 28 and will both be multi-band multi-genre concerts. They will take place at The Ballroom at The Outer Space.

Steve Rodgers, the founder and director of The Space, created the GoFundMe account and said on the page that the cost of doing business “greatly increased since we opened our doors in 2003 and we have constantly re-invented The Space with great passion and dedication, to adjust to these increasing costs as well as evolving with the ever changing music scene as well as adjusting to the constant shifts in what young people listen to and engage with.”

The Outer Space, is a separate business and has been subsidizing the financial shortfalls that The Space has experienced, however, “The Outer Space cannot sustain subsidizing The Space as it will put The Outer Space in a compromised financial position.”

Organizers are hoping to raise $25,000 through the fundraising effort, which will allow them to “get The Space back on track and ensure the financial stability of our sister business The Outer Space.”

As of Friday afternoon, nearly $9,500 had been raised by 247 people in one day.

Rodgers also posted a personal note on the GoFundMe page:

Asking for help is a difficult thing for me to do and it is with a humble heart and great respect for this music scene that I am personally reaching out for help. I have been and remain devoted to providing a “safe haven” for people of all ages in our community. I have personally invested 80+ work hours a week and My family and I have made difficult sacrifices in order to keep the doors open at The Space. My Family and I are not in the financial position to self fund The Space and this is why we are seeking community help to help us keep the doors open. My Team and I are currently in the process of developing a much more sustainable business model for The Space so that going forward we can continue to bring great music to the Hamden / New Haven as well as continuing to provide a safe haven for the arts for people of all ages.

Click here to visit the GoFundMe page.

Visit The Outer Space’s Facebook page here for information on the upcoming concerts.