#SaveOurVenues - Grand Elektra

Grand Elektra is part of a national initiative launched by the MVT to prevent the permanent closure of music venues most at risk due to the crisis. 

Grand Elektra needs your help to keep us open until March 2021. We are crowdfunding to support the ongoing costs of the venue including rent and utilities. We want to achieve financial stability until March 2021, where we hope that restrictions are lifted. You can get involved by making a small donation or purchasing merchandise from this crowdfunder, it will keep Grand Elektra safe.

Why are we crowdfunding?

Our music venue risks permanent closure because of the effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and failing to meet the criteria for the Cultural Recovery Fund. During the early stages of the pandemic, we took the difficult decision, for the first time in 5 years, to close our doors. We did this ahead of government intervention as we thought it was the most socially responsible thing to do. Something which we did for the sake of our staff and the public ahead of the lockdown instructions from the government.

Because of this, we can no longer operate until the lockdown restrictions are lifted. We have had to cancel or reschedule our entire Summer 2020 (and now Autumn) schedule, and are now beginning to move that to 2021, there is still a lot of uncertainty about when restrictions will be lifted to allow us to run a financially viable business. We anticipate and accept our sector will be one of the last to reopen but this will sadly put a significant amount of financial strain and pressure on the building. We are committed to reopening but not until it is safe and economically viable to do so.

Your donations will be used to pay for the ongoing costs of the venue including the rent and utilities.

About #SaveThe30 - The Red List

During the last 8 months, Music Venue Trust and Crowdfunder have worked together to prevent the closure of hundreds of grassroots music venues. With no end to the crisis insight, we are now refocusing that work to spotlight those venues under most imminent threat of permanent closure. The #SaveOurVenues Red List highlights the grassroots music venues at most risk.

Right now.

We’ve checked all the available funding, financial support, furlough schemes, business support for these venues, and what is on offer is not enough to prevent them from being lost. These 30 venues are on the Critical List and need your help.

These grassroots venues play a crucial role in the development of British music, nurturing local talent, providing a platform for artists to build their careers and develop their music and their performance skills. These venues also play a vital role in the cultural and economic vibrancy of any village, town or city.

Please donate, share this page widely and do what you can to help us to make sure our grassroots music venues survive this crisis.

About Grand Elektra

Grand Elektra, previously known as 'The Crypt', is a 450 capacity Independent Live Music Venue located in Hastings, England. Since 2015 we have regularly put on international artists, local musicians, regular club nights, tribute nights, + hundreds of themed nights as well as working with different members of our local community and various local charities.

The venue has been engrained into the heart Hastings music fanatics for decades. Over its colourful past, the building has hosted an array of artists, from local talent to internationally recognised stars.

Spanning multiple decades, the event space has traded under different names and ownerships. It was only when the infamous cellar space in Havelock Road became The Crypt, that Hastings had its own, nationally recognised little gem of live music. Grand Elektra still uses The Crypt branding for all live shows as a call back to the venues eclectic history.

Everyone has their own tale to tell of when a major act took to the venue’s stage. From Ash, Muse, Kasabian and The Kooks playing some of their first UK dates here, to legendary jazz icon Gil-Scott Heron actually turning up when everybody thought it MUST be an April Fool’s joke.

Fast-forward to 2015 where owner Paul Mandry bought the venue back from it’s closure in 2012. Along came a modern rebrand to Grand Elektra. The venue has been completely refurbished and re-fitted with a state-of-the-art Void sound system, lighting and live areas. Not only does Grand Elektra function as a spectacular live music venue, but also as a space for comedy, cabaret, and event nights of all genres and themes. We are working on highlighting the venues use for corporate events, community organisations and youth development schemes during the week.

Whether you’re into Rock, House, Grime, Indie or Dance, all tastes (and a thousand more) are all superbly catered for – allowing the venue to become legendary along the south coast. Many international recognised artists including Professor Green, Wretch 32, Stereo MCs, and more, alongside a plathora of globally famous DJ’s such as DJ’s Carl Cox, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash, as well as an endless number of local DJ’s and artists have all performed at Grand Elektra. 

This is something special for Hastings!

REWARDS

Music Venue Trust have created Save Our Venues Merchandise including T-Shirts, Face Masks, Snoods and more which can be chosen as a reward for a donation to our CrowdFunder.

The Project One 2021 Calendar

Our resident DJ, Project One, has created the perfect gift for Christmas.

About Save Our Venues - The Red List

During the last 8 months, Music Venue Trust and Crowdfunder have worked together to prevent the closure of hundreds of grassroots music venues. With no end to the crisis in sight, we are now refocusing that work to spotlight those venues under most imminent threat of permanent closure. The #SaveOurVenues Red List highlights the grassroots music venues at most risk.

Right now.

We’ve checked all the available funding, financial support, furlough schemes, business support for these venues, and what is on offer is not enough to prevent them from being lost. These 32 venues are on the Critical List and need your help.

These grassroots venues play a crucial role in the development of British music, nurturing local talent, providing a platform for artists to build their careers and develop their music and their performance skills. These venues also play a vital role in the cultural and economic vibrancy of any village, town or city.

Please donate, share this page widely and do what you can to help us to make sure our grassroots music venues survive this crisis.

Any support during this time is greatly appreciated. 

Stay in, stay safe -

Paul & The GE Team

#KEEPHASTINGSALIVE #SAVINGTHEWEEKEND #SAVETHEGRANDELEKTRA #SAVEOURVENUES #MUSICVENUETRUST