The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Norfolk music venue to be donated
After a string of sporadic shows at the Infinity Hall music venue in Norfolk this summer, owners Goodworks Entertainment have announced that they are donating the building that houses the venue.
“Over the past weeks and months, there has been a lot of discussion regarding Infinity Hall Norfolk and the venue’s future,” reads a statement from the Hartford-based entertainment company. “Goodworks Infinity Hall is in the process of donating the building which houses Infinity Hall to a 501c3 organization dedicated to maintaining the historic building as a focal point of community and entertainment in the village.”
Tyler Grill, CEO and co-founder of GoodWorks Entertainment, said that the deal is only for the building and that Goodworks Entertainment/Infinity Hall would still be the “exclusive provider of national talent” for future events at the venue. Additionally, the venue will undergo a name change.
“It’s an 1800s building, right. There is a lot going on with a building that old,” Grill said. “Owning and managing an 1800s building doesn’t really fall within our business plan.”
Grill said the venue will be run by a newly founded 501c3 organization, of which members from Goodworks Entertainment will sit on its board. The organization will cover building expenses while Goodworks Entertainment will continue to cover operating expenses related to events. This will give the town of Norfolk the opportunity to utilize the space for community events. Grill calls it a “perfect marriage between both worlds.”
“Not having to deal with the real estate and also being able to preserve a local asset for the community, [and] by doing this move, we’re allowing the community to use
the building,” Grill said. “It gives them use of the building for town meetings [and] community gatherings. They’re really excited.”
“Its not very often where you own a piece of real estate and you donate it to a 501c3 to benefit the town,” Grill added.
Grill said they took a brief pause on programming until the transition is complete in order to avoid producing regular programming during the changeover. He added that the schedule for the venue should pick back up midfall, and that future shows will most likely be promoted as “Goodworks Entertainment and Infinity Hall Presents at” the future name of the venue.
The venue currently has five upcoming concerts on its calendar with a performance by folk artist Todd Snider being the next show on Sept. 9. Grill said that all of the shows will currently proceed as planned.
Goodworks Entertainment still operates Infinity Hall & Bistro in Hartford, and puts on the ongoing Hartford Live concert series. The company also books events at Fairfield Theatre Company in Fairfield, and puts on summer concerts at Stony Creek Brewery in Branford. Most recently, Goodworks Entertainment took over the the Rhythm & Roots music festival in Charlestown, R.I., which will take place Labor Day weekend.
In 2019, Goodworks Entertainment acquired the Infinity Hall venues.