Every day has been “a new adventure” at the Hawthorn, a concert and event space that opened a year ago in the downtown west neighborhood of St. Louis.
The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene.
“It really flew by,” manager Lucie Switalski says.
The 10,000-square-foot venue, named for the Missouri state flower, opened Nov. 3, 2022, at 2231 Washington Avenue with a show by St. Louis hip-hop acts Mvstermind and DJ Mahf.
The Hawthorn is managed by Nashville, Tennessee-based Marathon Live.
Since its grand opening, the venue has showcased a diverse array of national, regional and St. Louis. Its opening lineup of shows also included Trap Karaoke, Emo Night, Muscadine Bloodline, Noah Thompson and HunterGirl, and Tab Benoit & the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
The first year also saw concerts by Dogstar, Blackhawk, Gavin DeGraw, Project Pat, Soulja Boy, Raheem DeVaughn, Sister Hazel, Lonestar, Dean Lewis, Russo & Co., Sleep Token, Frank Foster, Kolby Cooper, Behemoth, Logan Mize, Pecos & the Rooftops, Paul Cauthen and more.
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Soulja Boy at the Hawthorn Aug. 19, 2023
There also were four nights of Trap Karaoke, R&B Only Live and Emo Night.
The first sold-out show was Shane Smith & the Saints, which drew 1,300 people to the Hawthorn.
Other events at the venue have included a women’s Olympic ski and snowboarding fundraiser; Sneaker Emporium; Art, Mimosas & Pancakes; Dada Ball & Bash; 314 Market; Mother Model Management’s Tribute Fashion Show; Donuts With Santa for St. Louis Moms; Gateway to Hope Jubilee; Off White Wedding Show; along with weddings and other private events.
Tribute Fashion Show at the Hawthorn Nov. 19, 2022
“We’re very proud of how much we have accomplished in a whole year,” Switalski says. “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s been a fun year. We are growing and learning, and there’s a lot of pride.”
She says the first year of the Hawthorn has been “an exciting mix of everything. We really stepped our feet into every part of the event space and the music space.”
About 60% of bookings have been concerts. The goal, she says, is for bookings to be half concerts and half other events.
“Doing a little bit of everything was exciting, whatever we could bring into the room,” Switalski says. “It’s the entire spectrum. Everything fits in the space in its own way.”
Country music may be the Hawthorn’s sweet spot. The venue does especially well in that genre.
“I love country concerts, and they sound incredible in the space,” she says. “People seem to really resonate with it.”
She adds: “We were pretty prepared with what to expect, and we’ve definitely learned the area, figured out what people resonate most with and what they want to attend.”
Shane Smith and the Saints at the Hawthorn Jan. 20, 2023.
The venue’s recurring events targeted at Black patrons, such as Trap Karaoke and DJ party R&B Only Live, have been an unexpected success. Trap Karaoke allows guests to sing and dance onstage. Switalski says R&B Only Live sold out four consecutive nights, a record for the touring event.
“We knew it was going to be a hit,” she says. “Everybody likes a dance party. But I didn’t think four nights out the gate would sell out.”
If there were any challenges in the first year, Switalski says, they weren’t unlike what other downtown businesses face regarding safety.
“We want to make our mark in the area as a safe and positive place that people want to go to,” she says. “That’s a little bit of a challenge for everyone in the city — a hurdle that is there. But we’ve done a great job making sure people are comfortable, safe and excited to come back.”
The Hawthorn features country singer Casey Donahew on Nov. 3, “an overall great vibe for the space.” The show is not presented as an anniversary event; that will be celebrated privately.
“We’re excited to just look back at everything we’ve accomplished,” Switalski says.
Other upcoming acts include Extra Nos Fest with Flame (Nov. 11); Danny Lux (Nov. 22); Dirty Honey (Dec. 15); Cherub (Dec. 31); Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors (April 19); Flatlands Cavalry (March 8); and Josh Abbott Band (April 20).
“We have a lot of fun stuff in the works and a lot of great announcements for shows and events on the calendar,” Switalski says. “We’re excited to be just as busy and keep on growing.”
What Casey Donahew, Chris Colston • When 8 p.m. Nov. 3 • Where The Hawthorn, 2231 Washington Avenue • How much $25-$30 • More info ticketweb.com
Scenes from the Hawthorn’s grand opening party in downtown St. Louis
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Mvstermind performs Nov. 3, 2022, at the grand opening of the Hawthorn.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
DJ Mahf performs Nov. 3, 2022, at the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall in St. Louis.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
DJ Mahf performs during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Mvstermind performs during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Mvstermind performs during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Mvstermind performs during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Guests make their way into the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, at its grand opening in St. Louis on Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Stephanie Onyeador, of Dallas, (left) and Megan Rohall, of Manchester, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Keni Walker, of St. Louis, (left) and Jiyra Walker, of Maplewood, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
DJ Mahf performs during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
The Photo Bus sits near the stage during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
A bar at the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall at 2231 Washington Avenue.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
The Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall at 2231 Washington Avenue, photographed before its grand opening on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Signage lights up the stage area during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
A bar inside of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall at 2231 Washington Avenue, photographed during its grand opening in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Sir Eddie C performs Nov. 3, 2022, at the Hawthorn.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Complimentary donuts and pretzels available for guests during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Mvstermind performs during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
A view inside the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, during its grand opening in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Signage lights up the stage area Nov. 3, 2022, at a grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Sir Eddie C (right) performs with Mvstermind during the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Heather Zerweck (left) and Lori Kelling, both of Ballwin, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Kelsi (left) and Ryan Henry, of Nashville, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Emily Scott (left) and Alex Garnett, both of Kansas City, Mo., attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Micah Hanna (left) and Savanna Frierson, both of St. Louis, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Sam Brammeier (left) and Allison Berry, both of St. Louis, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Brianna Mathews (left) and Seth Kean, both of Kansas City, Mo., attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Alicia Delaney (left) and Tiffany Clayton, both of St. Louis, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Big Manny (left) and Stacey Pugh, both of St. Louis, attend the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Hawthorn grand opening party
Brock (left) and Melissa Lundak (far right), of Pacific, with Christopher and Carolyn Hughes, of St. Clair, at the grand opening of the Hawthorn, a new event space and concert hall, in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene.
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