Newmarket, NHs famed Stone Church Music Club will likely host its final concert this evening. The 192-person club, which has served as live music incubator since the 1960s, began its life as a Unitarian Universalist meeting house and was later used as a Catholic church. The room has been the epicenter of New Hampshires jamband scene, as the venues Terrapin Station mural regularly reminds visitors. Phish, Bonnie Raitt, Parliament, Bela Fleck, Joan Osborne, John Scofield, Richie Havens, Hot Tuna, David Grisman Quintet, Al Kooper, Bill Frisell, Buddy Guy, New Riders of the Purple Sage and Melissa Ferrick are just a handful of the acts who have made the room their own over the years. Over the past decade, The Stone Church has also served as something of a launching pad for New Englands burgeoning jam and jazz/funk scenes, hosting pivotal performances by groups like Soulive, Percy Hill, Assembly of Dust, The Slip, Nate Wilson Group, Grace Potter, Ryan Montbleau Band and The Brew, among many others.

Saxophonist Sam Kininger, who has played the Stone Church countless times with different ensembles, will officially close the venue tonight with his own band, though the Stone Church’s management is still fighting to keep the room open.
On Friday the building will go up for auction.