ArtistDirect News
Westminster Music Centre Opens Doors for First Time in Nearly Seven Years
When the lights dimmed on September 11, 2026, Westminster’s new music venue breathed life into downtown after a seven‑year silence. The soft opening, held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., marked the first public use of the refurbished space at 216 E. Main St., a venue that had been shuttered since the original centre closed in 2019.
The evening’s program began with the high‑school acoustic duo Figuring It Out, who took the stage from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Their set—tight, resonant, and unmistakably local—was followed by the band Jagged Road, who played from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The choice of performers was intentional; Jagged Road members sit on the centre’s board, and one of the Figuring It Out members is a music student of executive director BJ Callahan.
Callahan explained that the building had undergone extensive work in the months leading up to the event. Painting the stage, installing acoustic panels, and upgrading lighting systems were the main focus of the renovation. “We finished the bulk of the acoustics and lighting during the soft opening,” he said, adding that the venue still has a concession stand, a merchandise area, a small retail storefront for instruments and accessories, and dedicated spaces for lessons and jam sessions to be added before the full debut.
The soft opening coincided with Westminster’s annual Apple Festival, a community celebration that draws visitors to the historic downtown district. Downtown construction is ongoing, and portions of Main Street will be closed. As a result, the festival’s main stage has been moved farther down the street. To guide festival attendees to the new venue, the centre will use signage and balloons, ensuring that the Apple Festival crowds experience the refreshed space.
Looking ahead, the Westminster Music Centre plans a grand opening later in the fall, possibly on October 17, to align with the final Music on Main concert of the season. Callahan noted that the soft opening completed most of the technical work, but additional elements remain before the full debut.
The centre’s roots trace back to 2016, when it operated a venue in downtown Westminster. After that location closed in 2019, the organisation moved to a temporary holding space and then to the current address. Funding and logistical arrangements were required before the new venue could open. During the interim, the centre continued its Music on Main series, a free concert program that brings original music to the community.
According to Callahan, the board’s dedication was crucial to the project’s progress. He said, “All four of them have been putting in just countless hours.” He also noted that the downtown streetscape project provided a timeline that energized the renovation effort.
The Westminster Music Centre is a registered 501(c)(3) non‑profit that promotes the joy of live music. Its mission includes hosting concerts, offering lessons, and fostering community engagement through music. The soft opening demonstrates the centre’s readiness to resume its role as a cultural hub in Westminster.
At present, the centre’s doors remain open for the remainder of the day, and the venue will continue to host live music during the Apple Festival. The grand opening is scheduled for later in the fall, when additional facilities will be available.
The evening’s program began with the high‑school acoustic duo Figuring It Out, who took the stage from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Their set—tight, resonant, and unmistakably local—was followed by the band Jagged Road, who played from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The choice of performers was intentional; Jagged Road members sit on the centre’s board, and one of the Figuring It Out members is a music student of executive director BJ Callahan.
Callahan explained that the building had undergone extensive work in the months leading up to the event. Painting the stage, installing acoustic panels, and upgrading lighting systems were the main focus of the renovation. “We finished the bulk of the acoustics and lighting during the soft opening,” he said, adding that the venue still has a concession stand, a merchandise area, a small retail storefront for instruments and accessories, and dedicated spaces for lessons and jam sessions to be added before the full debut.
The soft opening coincided with Westminster’s annual Apple Festival, a community celebration that draws visitors to the historic downtown district. Downtown construction is ongoing, and portions of Main Street will be closed. As a result, the festival’s main stage has been moved farther down the street. To guide festival attendees to the new venue, the centre will use signage and balloons, ensuring that the Apple Festival crowds experience the refreshed space.
Looking ahead, the Westminster Music Centre plans a grand opening later in the fall, possibly on October 17, to align with the final Music on Main concert of the season. Callahan noted that the soft opening completed most of the technical work, but additional elements remain before the full debut.
The centre’s roots trace back to 2016, when it operated a venue in downtown Westminster. After that location closed in 2019, the organisation moved to a temporary holding space and then to the current address. Funding and logistical arrangements were required before the new venue could open. During the interim, the centre continued its Music on Main series, a free concert program that brings original music to the community.
According to Callahan, the board’s dedication was crucial to the project’s progress. He said, “All four of them have been putting in just countless hours.” He also noted that the downtown streetscape project provided a timeline that energized the renovation effort.
The Westminster Music Centre is a registered 501(c)(3) non‑profit that promotes the joy of live music. Its mission includes hosting concerts, offering lessons, and fostering community engagement through music. The soft opening demonstrates the centre’s readiness to resume its role as a cultural hub in Westminster.
At present, the centre’s doors remain open for the remainder of the day, and the venue will continue to host live music during the Apple Festival. The grand opening is scheduled for later in the fall, when additional facilities will be available.