James Chambers is fundraising
Keep Flywheel Open!
Flywheel has been an integral part of the music and arts community in Western Mass for nearly two decades. Time and time again, we’ve heard from touring bands from all over the country who love playing Flywheel because we represent an alternative to traditional music venues. The environment we create fosters connections between artist and audience that is oftentimes not possible in more formal venues with age-restrictions and other barriers. We provide a place for emerging local, national and international artists from all socio-economic backgrounds to hone their craft. Throughout our history, we’ve remained committed to providing a collectively-run all ages, accessible, and substance-free art space, where creativity is valued above profit.
Over the years, a plethora of incredible artists have graced our stage including Le Tigre, Screaming Females, Against Me!, Bright Eyes, Lightning Bolt, Ted Leo, High Rise, Versus, Pansy Division, Sonic Youth, Real Estate, Mecca Normal, Thou, The Thermals, Alice Bag, JD Samson, The Faint, Jeff Mangum, Tune Yards, Fugazi, and literally thousands more. We’ve hosted a diverse array of events like the Pioneer Valley Zine Fest, Saturday morning pancake and dance parties for kids, the Queer Maker’s Market, art exhibits, films, and much much more. Our space includes a zine library (one of the few in Massachusetts), functions as a meeting place for local organizations and discussion groups, and is available to rent for everything from birthday parties and wedding receptions to Zumba classes.
There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon at Flywheel, including some awesome shows in February and March featuring new favorites like Loone and Sidney Gish, our 20th Anniversary in April, (two weekends of great shows and music, featuring the legendary Bush Tetras, Ted Leo, Upper Wilds and more!), and the annual Pioneer Valley Zine Fest.
As you may or may not know, Flywheel pays its bills through generous community donations, memberships, private rentals, and by keeping 35% of door money made at shows. All of this money goes directly into expenses and general upkeep of the space and equipment. Flywheel is entirely run by volunteers; we do not have any paid staff.
Unfortunately, after a lull in Flywheel events and active volunteers, combined with the end of discounted rent, we amassed a significant amount of debt with our non-profit landlords, City Space. We are currently in a better place financially and have been consistently paying our rent on time; however, we’re only bringing in just enough money to pay current expenses, so our repayment of this debt has been very slow, as we can only afford to pay an extra $100 or so a month. At this rate, it would take us years to pay off our current debt.
Our landlords have been very patient with us during this time. However, they’ve recently put a deadline on paying back the entire debt before signing a new lease, and the deadline is just a few short weeks away. Because we have such a short period of time to raise a relatively large amount of money, we’ve decided to turn to our community for help. We have decided to start a crowdfunding campaign to raise the owed funds and repay our entire debt. Our goal is to raise $6,000 by Sunday, February 24th. Raising this amount will clear Flywheel’s debt once and for all. If we raise more than the set amount, we plan to put this money in our bank account to use as a rainy day fund.
If we don’t pay off this debt in a few short weeks, Flywheel runs the risk of losing our home. If you’ve ever been to a Flywheel show - if you’ve ever played a Flywheel show - if you’ve ever stood in the space surrounded by a bunch of other sweaty punks and fellow outsiders and thought, “Yes, these are my people. I belong here” - if you want to help keep Flywheel going for another 20 years because you love it as much as we do - we need your help NOW.
Please consider donating to help Flywheel keep our home of 8 years, and be sure to share this campaign with your friends and family (especially the ones who have some spare $). Any amount, no matter how small, makes a difference. Flywheel’s future depends on your help!
Over the years, a plethora of incredible artists have graced our stage including Le Tigre, Screaming Females, Against Me!, Bright Eyes, Lightning Bolt, Ted Leo, High Rise, Versus, Pansy Division, Sonic Youth, Real Estate, Mecca Normal, Thou, The Thermals, Alice Bag, JD Samson, The Faint, Jeff Mangum, Tune Yards, Fugazi, and literally thousands more. We’ve hosted a diverse array of events like the Pioneer Valley Zine Fest, Saturday morning pancake and dance parties for kids, the Queer Maker’s Market, art exhibits, films, and much much more. Our space includes a zine library (one of the few in Massachusetts), functions as a meeting place for local organizations and discussion groups, and is available to rent for everything from birthday parties and wedding receptions to Zumba classes.
There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon at Flywheel, including some awesome shows in February and March featuring new favorites like Loone and Sidney Gish, our 20th Anniversary in April, (two weekends of great shows and music, featuring the legendary Bush Tetras, Ted Leo, Upper Wilds and more!), and the annual Pioneer Valley Zine Fest.
As you may or may not know, Flywheel pays its bills through generous community donations, memberships, private rentals, and by keeping 35% of door money made at shows. All of this money goes directly into expenses and general upkeep of the space and equipment. Flywheel is entirely run by volunteers; we do not have any paid staff.
Unfortunately, after a lull in Flywheel events and active volunteers, combined with the end of discounted rent, we amassed a significant amount of debt with our non-profit landlords, City Space. We are currently in a better place financially and have been consistently paying our rent on time; however, we’re only bringing in just enough money to pay current expenses, so our repayment of this debt has been very slow, as we can only afford to pay an extra $100 or so a month. At this rate, it would take us years to pay off our current debt.
Our landlords have been very patient with us during this time. However, they’ve recently put a deadline on paying back the entire debt before signing a new lease, and the deadline is just a few short weeks away. Because we have such a short period of time to raise a relatively large amount of money, we’ve decided to turn to our community for help. We have decided to start a crowdfunding campaign to raise the owed funds and repay our entire debt. Our goal is to raise $6,000 by Sunday, February 24th. Raising this amount will clear Flywheel’s debt once and for all. If we raise more than the set amount, we plan to put this money in our bank account to use as a rainy day fund.
If we don’t pay off this debt in a few short weeks, Flywheel runs the risk of losing our home. If you’ve ever been to a Flywheel show - if you’ve ever played a Flywheel show - if you’ve ever stood in the space surrounded by a bunch of other sweaty punks and fellow outsiders and thought, “Yes, these are my people. I belong here” - if you want to help keep Flywheel going for another 20 years because you love it as much as we do - we need your help NOW.
Please consider donating to help Flywheel keep our home of 8 years, and be sure to share this campaign with your friends and family (especially the ones who have some spare $). Any amount, no matter how small, makes a difference. Flywheel’s future depends on your help!
- K
- D
- S
264 supporters
guidestar.org/profile/04-3567970