The Music Settlement took possession of the Bop Stop jazz club in early January, but the institution wasted little time in setting up meetings with community stakeholders to plan use of the facility. Having recently hired music veteran Matt Cahill as Event Sales Manager, the organization is moving ahead with programming. The Settlement will host a preview party this week, and then open the space to the community this summer with a public party.

That party, which will feature concerts spilling into Dogbone Park, the narrow slice of green space between Detroit Avenue and the Shoreway, should be a fitting beginning to the Settlement's highly anticipated Ohio City debut. The group will soon begin offering event rentals, with ensemble music instruction, regular concerts and a state-of-the-art recording facility to follow later this year.

The Settlement will retain the Bop Stop name and leave the beautifully designed space largely as is. Publicly accessible concerts will begin as soon as this fall.

That's just the beginning, says Charlie Lawrence, President of the Settlement. The group is looking for a space to hold individual music lessons, and a music-themed preschool also is in the works, similar to the popular University Circle program. In the meantime, the Settlement will partner with local schools and nonprofits to offer music therapy and other programs. All offerings will be accessible to low-income families, as well, in keeping with the institution's mission.

"As much as we can, we want to offer programs for young families," says Lawrence. "We're excited by the demographics that show young families are a big part of the area."

"We don't want to go into Ohio City with just a toe in the water," adds Lynn Johnson, Marketing Director for the Settlement. "We want to create a comprehensive program."

Other programs will pop up in collaboration with the Transformer Station and area businesses and nonprofits. Hingetown is quickly emerging as the west side cultural district, and businesses could stand to benefit as parents need places to grab coffee or view art while their kids are nearby taking lessons.

"There's a chance to build a cooperative cultural experience in northern Ohio City," says Lawrence. "That's the whole picture. And everything is within walking distance."

Source: Charlie Lawrence, Lynn Johnson
Writer: Lee Chilcote