With music moving outdoors soon, We'd love to hear about your favorite summer venues. As always, if you're interested in writing about one, let me know at venue@jambands.com.

The Canopy Club, Urbana, IL
by: Bridget Pleines bpleines@hotmail.com

In a town full of campus bars blaring bump and grind pop music The Canopy Club has chosen to hold tight to a dream of revitalizing live music in Champaign/Urbana, IL. The idea of the Canopy Club is to make a home for all types of musicians looking for a haven to play in. While The Canopy does play host to many of the biggest national acts, it always finds time to grant exposure to local bands who may be overlooked elsewhere. The Canopy Club is known for its eclectic styles of music that are not limited by the mainstream market. Put simply, the motto of the Club says it all: You go to other bars to forget the world, come to this one to embrace it. EMBRACE THE WORLD WITH LIVE MUSIC!

Being located on The University of Illinois campus, the sight for The Canopy Club has always been a get away for students needing a break from their studies. The venue started out as The Thunderbird Theater offering movies at an affordable rate in walking distance for most students. That idea was continued when it became The Brew and View, not only a movie theater but also a fully functioning bar. Due to competition from larger movie theaters, The Brew and View was reformatted to include live music. But such a large undertaking required the experience and knowledge of a music scene veteran. Ian Goldberg took on this task. Ian had been exposed to the music scene at an early age by his father Jay Goldberg, of Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment who has been promoting concerts in Central Illinois for nearly 30 years. Ian had promoted concerts in Champaign as a student at The U of I and knew that the once flourishing music scene now needed a boost. He quickly signed on as creative/programming director and signed a deal with Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment to be the exclusive promoters in the club.

In addition to the responsibility of rebuilding the live music scene in Champaign/Urbana, Ian Goldberg also wanted to use the opportunity to raise awareness about social and environmental issues. The rainforest became the central theme for the new venue, and it was thus aptly named The Canopy Club. One of the most memorable changes to the venue are two 20 foot tall by 50 foot long rainforest murals complete with waterfalls, trees, and rainforest animals. These murals are still an ongoing project and are being added to on a regular basis. In addition to the decor, the Canopy Club also hosts benefits for many charities including Habitat for Humanity, Students for a Free Tibet, Women in Transition and the Rainforest Action Group. At one such fundraising event, Merl Saunders and his Rainforest Band, spokesmen for the Rainforest Action Group, played and all profits went to benefit the rainforest. In addition to its financial contributions, the Canopy Club also has reserved a prominent place for information on what individuals can do to help save the rainforests.

With its 1000 seat capacity, the Canopy is able to play host to many nationally touring bands. In addition to Merl Saunders, memorable shows range from the funk sounds of Maceo Parker, Karl Denson and his Tiny Universe, Victor Wooten, and Groove Collective to the bluegrass sounds of Leftover Salmon and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Also, jazz favorites such as John Scofield, Medeski, Martin and Wood, and Charlie Hunter have appeared on the newly renovated stage. But perhaps what the Canopy is most widely known for is the bands that patrons come to see again and again. The list includes The String Cheese Incident, Ekoostik Hookah, Dark Star Orchestra, Jazz Mandolin Project, moe., and Galactic. To see a complete listing of past bands and check out upcoming shows, visit the website at www.canopyclub.com.

Whenever possible, The Canopy Club likes to throw in local favorites to the music bill. There are many local bands that call The Canopy home. Zea Mays, a local psychedelic jamband, plays at The Canopy once a week. The band has been around for almost 5 years but has never been able to play in a venue of this size. Opening for bands such as Galactic is an incomparable experience, as it helps to widen their fan base, and it gives them a chance to learn from great artists. Another local band, Absinthe Blind, has been playing at the club since it first opened. Absinthe Blind is one of the local crowd favorites. They always attract a good size crowd for their now notorious shows. Recently a whole new crowd got to hear their music when they got to open for Stroke 9 in front of an audience of over 600 music lovers. Whether its just on a local night, or opening for a national act, local bands feel that they get a lot out of playing at The Canopy Club.

Besides the national acts and local favorites The Canopy has a lot more to offer. On Monday nights patrons take a trip back to the days of the Dead. Grateful Dead night provides a tranquil setting for those wanting to spin and dance to the digital bootlegs played over The Canopy sound system. Grateful Dead Night has become a long time favorite with $1.50 Domestic Drafts and $2.50 Import Drafts. On Tuesday night Champaign/Urbana talent gets a chance to shine. In the Roost (the smaller bar area) is Acoustic Open Mic night. Patrons come prepared with guitars and songs and muster up the courage to play for the always forgiving audience. In the Canopy (the large theater room) is Open Jam night where entire bands can plug in and give the audience a taste of a few songs. For those nervous performers, courage can always be found in a $2 Long Island Ice Tea. Wednesdays are New Music Wednesdays where performers from all over the midwest get a chance to make themselves a name in the Champaign/Urbana area.

The Canopy Club also has an extensive bar selection for those interested in drinking. There is never a cover to get into the Roost (the bar area), so patrons can come in and enjoy themselves even if they don't want to pay to see the band. There are 15 beers on tap ranging from Miller Lite to Caffreys to Bells Oberon. There are also 15 bottled beers including favorites like Sammy Smiths, Ace Pear Cider, and Youngs Double Chocolate Stout. If you're not a beer drinker, there is still plenty of selection for you to choose from in the liquor department.

Besides music and drinking, the Canopy provides many other activities to keep you busy. There are two dart boards, and two pool tables if your interested in playing the traditional bar games. But perhaps what draws in a majority of the regulars are the two foosball tables or the two pinball games. In the winter time, you can warm yourself up by the fireplace while you listen to the mellow tunes in the Roost.

The Canopy Club is still in its beginning stages but it has managed to bulk up its resume as much as some clubs that have been in business for years. The Canopy has become widely known as a place to come and hang, knowing that there will always be good music, good drinks, and good friends. The Canopy definitely has that family feel to it, as everyone is family the minute they walk in. But what I like most about The Canopy Club is its integrity; to hold onto what they believe in and to do everything to make it work!

The Canopy Club is located at 708 S. Goodwin St
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-344-BAND
webpage: www.canopyclub.com