Swampscott Center For Performing Arts Approved For Entertainment At Former Hawthorne Restaurant

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The music of nationally touring music acts could soon be coming to the North Shore waterfront after the Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts was officially approved for a live entertainment license at Wednesday night's Select Board meeting.

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The license approval process had spanned over three meetings amid some concerns about noise escaping the venue and affecting residents and businesses along Humphrey Street.

But owner John Nicastro, aka Johnny Ray, got the nod on Wednesday after saying the building's inherent structure and his professional sound staff would make sure that the ticketed entertainment acts would be contained within the property.

"We have been very clear about entertainment being the foundation of our business model," Nicastro said. "It's vital to what we're doing. We are, after all, a performing arts center. ... That said, we are empathetic to the town's concerns about noise, crowd control and parking issues.

"We are not going to be a 'Roadhouse.' We are not going to need Patrick Swayze at the Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts. We want to be clear on that."

Nicastro said he is in conversations with nationally recognized entertainers to have ticketed events by the fall and will have the professional sound, security and staff as necessary to secure those acts.

He said most music should be done by about 11:30 p.m. with crowds leaving the venue by 12:30 a.m. ahead of a 1 a.m. close.

He said when there are no ticketed events, the performance space could be used for birthdays, recitals, and conferences, and community events.

He added that a comedy space — potentially an offshoot of Nick's Comedy Stop in Boston — is planned for the upstairs.

The Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts was awarded a 30-month lease while the town moves forward with a more comprehensive redevelopment of the property purchased for $7 million in 2022.

Nicastro said an "open house" has been planned for July 3 so residents can see the property and enjoy the municipal fireworks from its grounds.