Holy Crap, THE KNITTING FACTORY in RENO!!!!!

It‘s about time Reno got something to brag about!  When I went to the Knitting Factory to interview General Manager Dean Hanson, I was met by his Assistant General Manager Gary Pike, who gave me a tour and explained all the renovations they’re doing inside.  By the time you read this article, the Knitting Factory will be open for business and once it’s up and running, you’ll not only want to see shows there, your favorite local bands are going to want to play there too! 

VIP membership is $2,850 per year.  Obscene price?  I thought the same thing, until Dean explained to me a few of the perks.  With a VIP Membership, you get early admission, a show view from the second floor so close to the stage, you’ll be able to see the sweat on the performers faces.  Plus, you get two VIP Passes!  If you break that down (and factor in that the Knitting Factory is planning to do 20 to 25 shows per month), even on the low side that’s approximately.  $11.87 for two people, per show. You can even lend the memberships out, or buy them with someone else.  And don’t even get me started on the variety of music they’re going to offer.  

Dean Hanson has been with The Knitting Factory for almost 4 years, relocating here in September from The Knitting Factory’s Boise, Idaho venue.  Hanson had previously come from the high-end catering and fine dining industry, working in Las Vegas for twenty-eight years, at places like The Tropicana and The Mirage.  When I asked how he came to be at “The Knit” he told me, “When my kids grew up and moved, I found my second childhood”.   Hanson told me he always had a love for music, so when the opportunity came up he grabbed it. When I asked him what his favorite band was, he laughed and said, “There are so many.  I like Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam and the Rolling Stones--to name a few.” Hanson doesn’t play an instrument, but does come from a family of music lovers.  His daughter Ashlee runs the all age’s club called “The Venue” in Boise. 

I asked Hanson how I could get his cool job.  “To get my job, you have to have a very high operations skill set, which means, you need to know all about human resources, food management, and communications and, of course, be a music fan,” he said.  Hanson told me that they’re planning on doing three local band shows a month--as well as other types of shows.  When I asked him to elaborate on this he explained, “If there are holes in the show schedules and not more than 5-6 weeks out, I’d be open to doing something else:  art shows, music events, even a pottery class during the day.” 

The Knitting Factory will have a full service kitchen, as well as in-house catering, and will be equipped to do mobile catering.   Local acts that submit their music to solicit and secure bookings will get a taste of what it’s like to play on a real concert stage.  The Knit’s Green Room includes three dressing rooms, catered food, a shower and pool table--plus an underground walk to the stage.  So, it won’t be like a bar (walk to the stage from a sticky floor, plug into your  amp and play), this is more like a real concert hall that, according to Hanson, “Will give bands a taste of what it’s supposed to be like to play a venue.”  Bands even have the possibility of playing with national touring bands.  Additionally, if you’re a small label or studio, Hanson will consider having an event showcasing just  your artists.  One other thing I found unique:  bands pay nothing to play.  Hanson told me the band/venue relationship is a “partnership” and that he doesn’t believe in bands having to pay to play.  Artists get to sell their own merchandise (cd’s, stickers, t-shirts and swag).  The Knitting Factory will even comp their fan’s admission to the show! 

I must admit, I was in complete awe of Hanson.  The Knitting Factory is everything I always wanted to see here in our town; the person running it seems to really care about the music and our community.  “If you could say in one sentence what The Knitting Factory does, what would that be?,” I asked.  Hanson replied, ”We support cutting edge music, up and coming acts and community events.”

For more information on the shows and events coming to this amazing venue, please visit www.knittingfactory.com.

Jenny PezDeSpencer