The Hook & Ladder is a nonprofit venue and community space. They host a wide range of performances, and community events. Many of the friendly and helpful people you see there are volunteers. If you haven’t been there – put it on your to-do list today! It’s in the middle of the Twin Cities on Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue.
Chris Mozena is Founder and Executive Director. He’s a key ingredient in the magic sauce. He sees partnerships everywhere and is always ready to lift an artist, cause or project. Now it’s time for us to lift the Hook & Ladder. They have launched a $75,000 community-powered campaign to keep the doors open and the lights on. Give if you can – and if you can’t there are some other ideas to help in the final answer below.
I’m thankful to Chris for taking time out for five questions. Please read and give. Especially for my friends who said, “if only we knew about Palmer’s closing in time to help,” this time we know and if we want to have nice things like venues, we’ve got to do our part!
What is the origin story for the Hook & Ladder?
FPAC formed and awarded non-profit status in 2016, taking over the operations of the historic Firehouse facility in April of that year, in the wake of Patrick’s Cabaret relocating to Uptown’s Intermediate Arts. (I also served as Music Director at Patrick’s Cabaret for a number of years prior to their move.)
I am hard pressed to narrow down my own favorite Hook memories. So many album releases, a thunderstorm at a Mae Simpson canopy night (not fun for staff, but pretty fun for patrons), community meals with emerging artists, sweaty dancing to Black Eyed Snakes, Cornbread Harris birthdays, I’ve even emceed a night or two! Can you remember a time(s), when you just thought – this is the Hook at its best? Or maybe made a dream connection or when the night felt magic?
Very difficult questions! For one, it requires me to engage my memory and for two, there are just sooo many experiences that fit this bill! There were the memorable and moving tribute/performances by one of my own musical hero’s, Grant Hart, as well as the hot UTC show with Dr Mambo’s Combo following Billy’s passing, where the transformer on a nearby power line blew out mid-show! Every cornbread performance is a treat at 98 years old! Bernie Sanders last minute campaign stop and the very first outdoor shows in the award-winning Under the Canopy series that saw a thankful and teary eyed community regathering in person for the first time post pandemic! And every volunteer appreciation gathering where we see 40-70 community members gather to share a meal and share experiences of Hook performances from a volunteer perspective! We couldn’t do what we do without these dedicated volunteers, from the board to the box-office!
The Hook was thrust into history in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, due to proximity to the former Third Precinct. We spoke a bit about this when you hosted the #METOOMPLS livestream in August 2020. What memories remain with you from those days? How did you survive the riots in the midst of pandemic?
This is difficult to summarize in a few words, but what’s recently had me thinking is the fact that we continue to find ourselves on the front-lines of macro issues facing our nation as a whole!? First is was the racist murder of George Floyd and resulting unrest, which is well documented, and more recently we’ve endured the Annunciation shooting in South Minneapolis, 2-mass shooting events along Lake Street within blocks of The Hook and last week we had an unhoused community upended across the street from us. How is it this little intersection of Lake/Minnehaha seems to encapsulate these larger societal issues, and The Hook and our surviving neighbors (Moon Palace Books, Arbeiter Brewing & Holy Trinity, to name a few active community members) left to confront these monstrous issues!?
So many beloved bars and venues have closed recently. What do you think is happening in the industry or community or other factors?
For one thing, we’re in a recession, the hospitality industry is the canary in the coal mine. There are additional trends which have been well documented with respect to generational consumption habits, and the ever present distraction of our cell phones which deliver a world of entertainment in the palms of our hands. These and other factors, such as rising expenses, are all contributing to what we see today.
How can patrons and music lovers best support you for the next 10 years – donations, memberships, volunteering…?
All of the above! The main thing is to try and make a habit of visiting The Hook, be it for a happy-hour or ticketed performance, a book release or to see some local bands. We host a wide variety of disciplines and genres, there’s literally something for everyone each month! If you can, make a contribution in any amount to our active fundraiser! We are announcing some matching grants this week that will provided double-impact! And, if you can, consider joining our Patreon club and receive special access to private performances and other exclusive benefits!
Mostly Minnesota 