The Afterdark contains the best music venue according to UW-SP students. It offers an atmosphere that brings the performers up close to the listeners but providing a comfortable setting to enjoy.
The Afterdark Coffee House: Best music venue
The Pointer
jmath438@uwsp.edu
Multiple music acts every week, local and nationwide artists and great coffee make the Afterdark Coffee House a natural selection for the best music venue of Stevens Point.
“I like to think I book a lot of different stuff,” owner Sheldon Schroeder said. “Usually during college I mix it up a heck of a lot more.”
Afterdark owners Sheldon and Dawn Schroeder took over on Feb. 29, 2008.
Schroeder originally grew up in Guam where his father was in the Air Force, but he knew Stevens Point from different visits to family. When he moved to Stevens Point, he wanted to keep the business the way it was when he first moved here in 1993.
The business has grown since he first moved to town and the music is now in a larger venue adjacent to the coffee shop.
“What I’m trying to do, and we’re pretty much in the middle of it, is bringing up the local scene,” Schroeder said.
The Afterdark is host to many different music stylings and events throughout each week.
For their upcoming one year anniversary on Feb. 28, the After Dark is hosting Hypno5, a group from France.
“It’s progressive metal, very integrated. European metal is more of a cross between Iron Maiden and Motorhead,” Schroeder said. Local bands will also be performing that day.
The group is also hosting a Superbowl Party on Feb. 1 with a myriad of local bands performing during and after the game. Local and regional bands performing are No Wings to Speak Of, Solidarity, Wholehearted, Iron Thrones, Glasgow Memoirs and well-known local band Secret Secretions.
“Precore is coming from Washington State. They’re kind of an indie-grunge band, kind of in the vein of Nirvana,” Schroeder said about Superbowl Sunday.
The Afterdark is going to be the kickoff point for local band Wrath of the Girth.
Local favorites Carmen Lee and Clinton Miller will be performing at the Afterdark on Feb. 7.
Friday, Feb 20 is the CD release for Fifty Foot Fo. Joining in the celebration are Shattered Red and Imaginary Friend.
“Shattered Red used to play here many years ago. Many of their shows are super packed,” said Schroeder.
The Afterdark also hosts a weekly open-mic night, Thursdays at 8 p.m. Another weekly event is the presence of latin and reggae musician Bobby Aleman who performs every Wednesday at 8 p.m.
“Every other week we have Bobby G. He comes in and spins records,” Schroeder said.
Sheldon Schroeder’s love of music and his business has brought music to the forefront of downtown Stevens Point and has earned him and his business the title of best music venue in town.
“I just would like to see the majority of people get along. The more people you get in here, the better it is for the music,” Schroeder said. “It’s all pretty much about the fun.”
