Dear Downtown Lansing,
As a Downtown Lansing resident, it’s been a while since I’ve been within walking distance of a live music venue. I’ll always look back fondly at the many nights spent enjoying concerts at the gone-but-not-forgotten Loft on Michigan Avenue. I think back and smile at the many long days attending and even working the multi-day music festival, Common Ground, at Adado Riverfront Park. Those nostalgic feelings are pleasant in tone, but knowing there’s a new venue in Downtown again – that’s music to my ears.
Grewal Hall at 224, pronounced like ‘gray wall,’ located at 224 South Washington Square, has a long history in town. The site dates back to 1896, when it was used as a granary, to store grain or animal feed, and the building was originally constructed in 1926. Over the decades, it’s also seen many different iterations, ranging from department stores, restaurants, a disco tech nightclub, and a hookah lounge.
Now, this alternative nightlife space has entered a new era of fun. It’s filling a live music venue void that was felt for a few years. Undoubtedly, other nontraditional venues stepped up and started offering live music, and I’m grateful the beat kept going on, but they weren’t concert halls. They weren’t equipped for professional sound, larger-scale productions, or more than 500 fans in their doors. As a frequent concert-goer and occasional box office/guest services employee, it feels so good to be back. And even better to not have to travel far.
One of the frequently listed things people like about Lansing is its central location, making it within close proximity to so many other towns and cities in the state. That means it’s not unheard of to go see a concert in Grand Rapids an hour away or drive a little less than an hour and a half to a comedy show in the Detroit area. Sometimes, even on the same week. But here’s the thing, now you don’t have to. Some of your favorite touring bands, local performers, and comedians are now routing their way back through Downtown Lansing, thanks to Grewal Hall.
Since opening in October of 2023, the event space, which holds up to 900 people, has already hosted nationally touring acts, Grammy-nominated artists, comedians, and entertainers of all genres, such as The Menzingers, The Verve Pipe, Dave Mason, Frontier Ruckus, Black Flag, Tom Green, Soulja Boy, Danny Brown, Pop Evil, Mustard Plug, and more. Key word being “more” here. One upcoming show I’m particularly excited about for October is Everclear / Marcy Playground / Jimmie’s Chicken Shack on Sunday, Oct. 13.
I encourage you to stop in, visit the venue, and take a look around at the historic building’s open-architecture ceiling, its exposed steel trusses above the mezzanine level, and the striking jade green tiles at the bar. Even the bathrooms have pretty tile, and are clean – which is really saying something these days.
Here are some helpful tips to help you plan your upcoming concert experience:
- Parking is available on the street, steps away from the venue, and is free after 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and free on the weekends. There are also numerous parking ramps very close by.
- If you’re wanting to avoid service fees on tickets, and to support another local Lansing small business, grab them at Summit Comics & Books a few doors down, or at Flat Black and Circular in East Lansing.
- The venue is cashless, so bring your ID and a credit/debit card for all purchases.
- Most shows are standing-room only, unless otherwise noted on the event page/your tickets.
- There are ADA accommodations provided.
- There is typically re-entry allowed, but you’ll need your hand stamped to get back in. Grewal Hall also hosts weddings, private events, corporate conferences, charity events, trade shows, comedy shows, dance parties, themed DJ nights, and more.
To the talented, music-loving and community-building people behind the scenes that spent years making Grewal Hall go from a dream to a reality, I thank you. To Downtown Lansing residents and visitors alike who are in need of the excitement, joy, laughter, singing, and the pure escape that only a live entertainment performance can bring, I welcome you.
Hope to see you at Grewal Hall soon!
-Sarah Spohn