HYAMP ready to open doors for second gig

The leaders of the Huntington Youth Arts and Music Project, an all-age music venue the closed in 2007, are hoping to reopen their doors sometime this year.

HYAMP, previously located on Seventh Avenue in Huntington, first opened in the spring of 2004 and hosted dozens of concerts over three years.

Chris Wallace, 30, of Huntington, said he originally helped start the group to bring better bands to Huntington.

"There just wasn't a lot to do around Huntington as far as concerts and shows," he said.

Wallace began using the YWCA as a place for bands to perform, but soon realized the limits of using someone else's property. With the help of a small group of founders, he began renting the property on Seventh Avenue.

 "We didn't make any money whatsoever," Wallace said. "I lost money like crazy. Unlike other venues that have multiple sources of income, we got money strictly on attendance. It makes it tough without other types of income to keep the doors open."

While open, HYAMP booked bands from all over the United States, including bands such as Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Plain White T's and Hawthorne Heights.  The building was also rented out to other groups who needed space for their own projects, Wallace said.

"The first time I went I was still in high school, and it was amazing to have a place that welcomed bands back home," said Alexis Smith, local filmmaker and Marshall University graduate.

Smith said she was introduced to bands she would not have heard otherwise, something that would have been nearly impossible without HYAMP.

"Right now the only venue for people to perform is bars, and that eliminates an audience," Smith said. "With HYAMP it seemed like a sense of community. It wasn't just going to see a band, it was being a part of something you couldn't have done on your own."

When the previous owner of the property went out of business, Wallace faced the problem of an increasing rent cost and a new landlord. Because of the uncertainty of future income, he and the rest of the HYAMP group decided to shut the doors and find a new venue. HYAMP has not been open since.

Now, a loyal group of supporters is trying to revive it. Although Wallace supports the idea, he said he can only give advice due to familial responsibilities. The project leader is David Steffie, who was unavailable for comment.

"The largest obstacle is just going to be finances or finding a location," Wallace said. He said the old venue would need expensive restoration before it could be used again, but hopes they find a location and can complete the project.

Amanda White can be contacted at white461@live.marshall.edu.