Arin Gilbert was born in Joplin, Missouri. He studied music at Missouri State in Springfield, MO and has lived in Kansas City since 2009. Since he was a teenager., he had a passion for music and art. One would never guess it, but Arin was in punk and ska bands. In college, he started his own indie folk/rock band. He ran an all ages venue called the Belmonte in Springfield, MO from 2004-2009 that became a popular place for people to see shows as well as local artists.
Arin remembers coming to Kansas City to see shows at El Torreon and he is very happy to be part of this project to help reopen the space as a premiere all ages venue for Kansas City. Arin is currently volunteering his time to pursue his vision of reopening El Torreon for the Kansas City music scene.
Kansas City has always had a cultural impact that far exceeds its size. Jazz in the 20’s, fashion in the 30’s, and barbeque forever. For the next thirty days, you have the chance to be a part of that legacy and restore a piece of Kansas City’s history.
Established in 1927, El Torreon Ballroom (later known as the Cowtown Ballroom) was a Kansas City staple for nearly eighty years. It began as one of the nation’s first integrated jazz clubs, hosting the likes of Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and other luminaries of the time. Patrons of every race, color, and creed would enter the ballroom by ascending one of two grand staircases, dressed to the nines. On clear nights, the horn section could be heard as far as Union Station.
For two decades in the middle of the century, the ballroom was converted into a roller-rink and became a beloved local hangout for families and teens. But music is in the building’s stones, and in the 60’s and 70’s the Cowtown Ballroom brought it back with a vengence. B.B. King, Danny Cox, Van Morrison, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Frank Zappa, and Alice Cooper all strutted, strummed, and crooned from the Cowtown Ballroom’s stage.
After the turn of the Millenium, El Torreon took back its original name. It became an all-ages rock venue, hosting Rory Gallagher, Bright Eyes, Fugazi, Further Seems Forever, Mewithoutyou and countless Hardcore, Metal, Punk, and Ska bands.
A thriving local music scene is part of what makes a city great. By supporting this campaign, you’re helping to bring great music to the heart of Kansas City at the only all-ages venue that can boast a direct line from the roaring 20’s through the classic rock era and the 80’s, to the independent rock scene of the early 2000’s and beyond. That line was broken, and we want it reconnected. We want to bring in touring bands from across the country and around the world, and support great local music by giving them a place to be heard.
The El Torreon venue space is currently empty. The stage still stands, but the rest has been stripped down to the bare essentials. There are no acoustic treatments on the walls — necessary for providing bands with the sound quality they deserve — no dedicated space for a sound board or refreshments.
We believe music should be experienced at the highest level of quality possible, and we want El Torreon to reflect that. We want to build a space were bands can sound their best and where fans can see their favorite acts up close and personal. But, in order to do that, we need your help.
Arin Gilbert – Director of El Torrean Music Venue
Talking with Arin was a lot of fun. Arin is a really cool, down to earth friend that loves his family and loves music. He was definitely up for the challenge when he decided to take on the task of bringing the El Torrean back to Kansas City.
