Pittsburgh – A new event space opens this month at 6119 Penn Avenue in East Liberty named 6119, or “sixty one nineteen”. Launched by the masterminds behind Pittsburgh’s audio-visual collective VIA (and the VIA Music & New Media Festival) 6119 aims to be the missing link between nightlife and cultural institutions.
DJ/club nights, small concerts, video screenings, experimental performances, lectures, pop-up programming and exhibitions are only a few examples of the many types of events the venue can host.
The grand opening weekend July 20-21, 2012, features French hip hop beatmaker Onra (Fool’s Gold Records) and Toy Selectah (Mad Decent), Mexico’s moombaton mix-master. Both events are 21+ with an open bar sponsored by Skyy Vodka from 9-10pm. Local emerging video / new media artists Di-Ay Battad and Timothy Sherman VJ and integrate audience-interactive visuals with the main acts.
VIA co-director, Lauren Goshinski says, “There’s been an increasing need for a new hybrid space in Pittsburgh. We feel really lucky to have this opportunity in East Liberty because it’s not only an opportunity for promoters and artists to pull off a new breed of quality events, but also for Pittsburgh to have a new type of social space.”
VIA is renovating the 3,000 sq. ft. former social club in partnership with East Liberty Development (ELDI), who owns the building, which has been inactive since 2002.
“ELDI can provide a more permanent home to a group that has done a lot to add vibrant, creative programming to the neighborhood. Together we are able activate a space that would otherwise be unused. The 2011 VIA Festival proved VIA’s cultural staying power in the region, and we’re excited to see the unique events that unfold over the next year,” says Nate Cunningham, Director of Real Estate Development for ELDI.
Offering a large performance area, generous bar/lounge, and small mezzanine for installations, 6119 is currently available to event promoters, individuals and organizations to book through June 2013. 6119 allows for all-ages dry events, BYOB, 21+ bar nights, and after-hours. Bar nights will be presented by the Round Corner Cantina.
Summer shows already feature a number of groups from around Pittsburgh. 6119 will also host a number of monthly “VIA Presents” shows and a portion of the VIA 2012 Music & New Media Festival happening October 1-6.
“We hope that by providing top quality sound, visual technology, and an open, flexible atmosphere, 6119 can be a venue where people feel vested in its programming. The exciting thing is that almost anything goes.” says Goshinski.
INQUIRIES & SPACE RENTAL, contact: info@via-pgh.com
6119 SUMMER SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Check www.facebook.com/6119 for most up-to-date schedule of events and event details.
JULY 20 + 21: GRAND OPENING WEEKEND: ONRA + TOY SELECTAH
July 20 – Onra (Paris /Fools Gold Records) Hip Hop, Beats
July 21 – Toy Selectah (Monterrey / Mad Decent ) Moombaton
open bar 9-10pm, presented by Skyy Vodka
JULY 27: HONCHO
w HONEY SOUNDSYSTEM + Cherri Baum / Haus of Haunt + more
San Francisco’s queer quality danceparty teams up w PGH’s underground rager for queers and queerfriends.
JULY 28: BOMBA ESTEREO (Bogota Columbia / Nacional Records)
w Lungs Face Feet (Pgh), Edgar Um (Pgh Bro Club, VIA)
pres. by El Gallo (Round Corner Cantina), Pandemic, VIA
open bar 9-10pm, presented by Skyy Vodka
AUG 31: VIA Presents: KASSEM MOSSE (Germany/Workshop, FXHE)
Techno.