Saturday, May 9, 2009

Restaurant continues evolution with new stage

YOUNGSTOWN - It's the opposite of "If you build it, they will come."

The musicians came, and University Pizzeria built.

Owner Colleen DiVito says their open mic night was getting crowded and the musicians wanted more space. Entertainment coordinator Kyle Daley says open mic night was attracting at least 80 people every Thursday.

"It's the best night of the week for us," DiVito says.

So DiVito responded to the musicians' requests and built a new stage.

The stage and dance floor are located in what had been an empty space in the building next door. DiVito says the landlord let University Pizzeria rent the former Little Jimmy's location. It had been unoccupied for about 4-and-a-half years.

So far, the stage has hosted about a dozen events, Daley says, not including the open mic nights.

"Musicians love playing here," he says.

Among those playing open mic night May 7 was Denny London, who also plays bass in Daley's band, Mr. Kyle. London says he likes the stage and says the venue has great sound.

"You can hear yourself play," he says.

London says he also attends open mic nights at Barleys in Youngstown and Metter's and Blue Magoo's in Warren. He's played at the UPie open mic night, he says, for about six months. Why?

"Great atmosphere, cheap beer and great pizza," he says.

Another musician in attendance for UPie's atmosphere May 7 was Ryan Rexroad, The Robbie Jay Band bassist. He says he attends an open mic night once a week at varying locations.

"It's nice to hear other local musicians' music acoustic," Rexroad says.

Rexroad says he doesn't generally play at open mic nights, but attends to hear other musicians and "support the scene."

Daley and DiVito say the customers also like the new stage, because the sound isn't overwhelming throughout the entire bar.

DiVito says when she works during a show as a bartender, "I can still hear drink orders."

But this stage wasn't the plan for UPie. DiVito says she initially hoped the venue would become a wine bar but, "No one drank wine. They drank beer."

So, she says they became a "beer bar," with a wide selection of domestic and imported beer. When musicians wanted more space, she says they built the stage.

The dance floor extends back about 10 yards, where there's a small table set up for Daley to serve as sound man. There are a few couches, mirrors and a chandelier, but the atmosphere is low-key.

The deep red paint through the bar continues into the new space, where small beams of light reflect off the mirrors. In the back, musicians quietly strum before they go on stage.

There are no TVs in the new room, a contrast from the bar just a few feet away, where several flat panel TVs generally broadcast sports. The rooms complement each other, balancing those who come for the music and those who come for those who come for the music.

"There's no tables and chairs. It's not for dining, it's for partying," DiVito says.

She says she got the idea for the setup from another establishment out of town.

Upcoming events include performances by Rumbledaddy, Acoustic Juggernaut, ThunderRider, The Youngstown Tramps and Scotfree and the Guilty Plea.

Daley says they will not book cover bands, but welcome bands from all genres. Booking will be handled through University Pizzeria's MySpace.