The Stone

For music fans, loved the show I attended. The seating are regular chairs, might feel uncomfy after a while, but you have nice view of the street with wide windows and you have a sense of "Theme music" while people watching. Tickets are affordable, no drinks or food though. Cool spot to include in your night out in the neighborhood.

Amazing! Thank you for organizing these concerts.

Phenomenal musician-oriented venue with an emphasis on experimental forms, especially jazz. All of the $20 ticket price, payable only at the door, goes directly to the artists. Sets begin promptly, and run no later than ten o’clock. Seating is on folding chairs arranged in tight rows. No food, drinks available for sale or permitted in the venue.

Very cool experience. Worth it to support such talented artists.

4-evening residencies (Wednesdays through Saturdays) planned and performed by the resident musical artists result in outstanding programs of contemporary co-creation

I have performed at The Stone numerous times at its original Lower East Side location, and several times at the newer site at the New School's Glass Box Theater. The policy of interesting artists curating performances by other interesting artists in an intimate music-only space, created by John Zorn decades ago, continues in fine manner. The seats are better at the New School than at the original space, and of course it is cleaner and much less funky. I think that the acoustics of the new space may not be quite as good, but don't let that stop you from seeing some unique and adventurous music, close up, where all the proceeds go to the musicians themselves!

Been to about 50 concerts there and the quality of the music was always excellent and value for money was almost unbelievable. Only on a few occasions was significantly bothered by noise during a performance. It's a pity late comers are allowed entry (there is usually only one volunteer staff person who can't be in 2 or 3 places at once) Also heating is noisy at times, loud low bass causes the walls to rattle and traffic noise can be intrusive during quiet passages. The room can also get very hot during summer - the aircon is too noisy to leave on during recorded performances. Needs a wealthy donor to get together with the director of this priceless non-profit community project to help make it even better.

Apparently we attended the last performance in this place, a shop with darkened windows on the corner of the ground floor of an anonymous building. Toilet was behind the stage, so if you wanted to go before the show you had to parade in front of the whole audience, and if you wanted to go during the show... you wouldn't go. Not particularly welcoming otherwise.

The Stone is a no-nonsense rock of a Jazz club on the first floor of the cool New School Music School at 13th Street and Sixth Avenue in the West Village. Featured bands tend towards capacious experimental and avant-garde music, but hasn't the best jazz always been that? The place is for serious listeners who know or want to learn. You can party later, just not here. Price of admission is as low as you can go among todays jazz joints, although the talent always plays on a high note. If you like The Stone, you'll like the Jazz Gallery, too, my favorite hang.

One of the city's finest venues for experimental music. It's on 13th Street in the New School. Visit the very old school website for listings and to RSVP. It's typically $20 admission. Tiny space so I do recommend the RSVP. Forget your ego and let the artists do the talking.

I was walking by the Stone, and I stopped to chat with the two guys standing outside. peter d: Who's playing tonight? Guy 1: We are. peter d: Oh...who are you? Guy 2: [insert name of band] peter d: Oh...that's cool. How much is the cover? Guy 1: $10. Come in and check it out. If you don't like it, I'll give you your money back. I couldn't very well leave after that, it would just be rude. (Yes, ruder than asking who they were.) And I'm somewhat glad I stayed, because the concept of the Stone is awesome. This is a place devoted to music, and nothing else. They run shows. That's it. There is no booze, there is no food, there is no bullshit. You pay your cover, and you sit down and watch the show. If you are into the act, this is an extremely intimate, very cool place to catch them. I highly recommend doing so. However, once you're inside, there really isn't anywhere to go. And if you just wander by and go in because you feel guilty, you could end up listening to a long show by a weird band, trapped next to a frighteningly stinky woman who claps at inopportune times.

The Stone is a great, great place to hear jazz; several other reviewers have called it no-frills--but at least it has a restroom. The other night I saw Jonah Parzen-Johnson play solo sax there and was suitably impressed; the man plays overtones and does the sort of things with his sax Janis Joplin did with her voice. "You're a virtuoso!" I said to him after; he gave me an aw-shucks look, but I was just speaking the truth.

Always love this place. A Frank London and his band were extremely entertaining rocking out with great energy. Psychedelicatessen an eclectic mix of Klezmer and bangara music with spoken word of various poets was a nonstop lively Revelation and now I'm hooked. The venue small and intimate holds about 30 -50 people. Every seat in the house presents a closeup view of the stage just a few feet from the band.

My date said it was the most "New-Yorkey" thing she'd ever done and I'm inclined to agree - harken back to the days of Basquiat and Lou Reed before they became "Basquiat" and "Lou Reed", when unmarked blackened-out doors behind rollup doors conjured up mystery and exploration rather than stanchions with velvet ropes & attendant muscle. I get the sense that the music there is hit-or-miss; the night I was there the performance consisted of a duo playing the baby grand in, um, unorthodox ways, an incredible woodwindist, and some dude on a macbook supplying (rather unneeded) electronic flavor flav. That said, hearing the haunting off-melodies of the shakuhachi punctuated by the clashing sound of golf balls dropped onto piano strings was itself worth the price of admission. The ventilation - or lack thereof - was a huge issue though. I nearly passed out from the heat + lack of air. The warnings from the other reviewers are also in effect: no drinks or food; I didn't even see a restroom; be prompt or be locked out; depending on the relative heights of you and the people in front of you, sightlines may be spotty. All in all though, this is a true gem in the rough that I wish we had more of in the city.

Brainchild of sax player and composer John Zorn, the Stone a jazz venue with the feel of an art gallery. Each month, the musical lineup is built from the ground up by a different musical curator, who schedules acts for the entire month. You will see bands here you have never seen before and likely never will again... The curators not only select the artists, but often get to genetically engineer weird mutant super-bands with some of the most exciting musicians around. Its a very comfortable place, dark and cozy, and plenty of seating room if you're on time for the show.

The Stone is an easy-to-miss little venue showcasing experimental, avant garde, and sometimes jazz music that you'll probably never hear anywhere else. Each month a different musician curates a series of performances with mostly little-known, but highly talented musicians from all over. All the profits go straight to the musicians, and it runs on donations and CD sales, which is pretty amazing to me. Even more amazing is that they've been around for a few years now, but only have one other Yelp review. The place itself is spare, the decor consisting of covered windows, painted brick walls, and a bunch of high-end but still uncomfortable plastic folding chairs. Oh, and don't forget the crappy old radiator that has a habit of completely ruining otherwise moving performances. Someone should really do something about that. The place is ugly, but only because it's a non-profit. If you're at all interested in jazz or experimental music or any sort of unique sonic experience, you really must take a look at their calendar. Seriously.

The first time I went to The Stone, it was to see a band I love play my all-time favorite album in its entirety. So, needless to say, I'll always look back on the experience fondly, and I'm glad it was at The Stone. As far as performance venues go, The Stone is purely a no-frills establishment -- and that's what makes it so great. It's literally just a room with some folding chairs. No stage, no bar, no distractions. The doors open at 8:00 (or 10:00), you find a good seat, and the show starts within a few minutes. Because you pay by the set, you know that everyone else in the room is there to see the same thing you are. There's no talking during the performance, no people pushing past you to go get another beer -- everyone is watching and listening intently. Personally, I can't imagine a better way to take in a show.

Be it a boiling summer evening or the sub-freezing dead of winter, the Stone will inevitably be filled to the brim with humid heat and discrete fan-flappers. It can get uncomfortable in the tiny corner space, but the Stone just wouldn't be the Stone if it didn't offer some sweat to go with that avant garde. The line-up ranges from improvised electronic solo players to obscure trombone and box-player duos (as in, a real cardboard box), right on to larger orchestras that struggle to all fit in the cramped stage. Regardless of style or size, each performance offers a transcendent and intimate musical experience. The music may not always appeal to the ears, but one thing is for certain: it'll blow your mind.

Been twice to this unsuspecting institution of experimental music and small venue glory, but that was enough to experience what I'm sure are opposite ends of the spectrum. The first time was late fall of 2013. I was early to the 10 p.m. show (every night of the week has a show at 8 p.m. and one at 10 p.m.), which involved a quartet of brass and reeds going absolutely nuts. Despite the rousing music, there was a sense of balance and peace in the small venue; basically a black box, this little home to a not-for-profit that gives all of its proceeds from shows and specially recorded CDs straight to the musicians (after rent and operations come out, of course). The second time was early this May. My friend and I were quite early to the Wednesday 8 p.m. show of the current artists in residence: jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, computer musician Ikue Mori and cellist Okkyung Lee. For those of us expecting something at least mildly akin to Iyer's clean, tender riffs, the show was whack. Several walked out; the screeching noises of the cello (normally such a lovely and mellow instrument) and Rainforest Cafe-esque sound effects generated by the computer were just too avant-garde for at least a third of the folks in the room. But this wasn't even my main complaint, since almost all live music shows are inherently valuable whether they turn out to be your jam or not. My complaints begin with the fact that, after my friend and I had a drink around the block at Elsa bar because we were just TOO early, we found that the doors had just been opened and the hard folding chairs were already packed with people; or people and the bags they ruthlessly laid down to save spots for significant others or cronies who were going to be super late anyway. I produced the stated $15 in cash, and was told that the cover was actually $20. That's fine, but if so, they should have "noted otherwise" on their website (as their website declares: http://thestonenyc.com/)! Not everyone in NYC carries cash around all of the time, not even in the E.Village. Soon enough, the overflow ground seating behind the artsists' floor space was also chock full, as was standing room against the walls. But there was still some room, you know what I mean? Having scored the last two seats in the back row, I wouldn't have cared, except for the fact that one poor dude got cast out before the show began, on the grounds that the building's capacity had simply been exceeded. But then, a couple art school chicks pushed their way inside DURING the performance, holding huge Blick Art bags and gasping about how their projects had made her late. And guess what? They got in. That struck me as very 18+ of the establishment, and made me genuinely feel for the humble, single male fan (and believe me, I rarely feel bad for males) who was now probably standing directly outside the too-thin walls for a two hour wait until the 10 p.m. set, sure to be equally whack. Speaking of the too-thin walls; every car, every Spanish argument, every siren, every word of cigarette smokers' conversations hideously polluted the sound and noise of the show itself. I hadn't noticed this before. It was almost unbearable, especially the sounds of people talking and smoking directly outside. Then inside, the door guards left on a terribly bright lamp that illuminated a guestlist. Why would this be necessary after the doors had officially closed? Anyway, The Stone has solid appeal as a venue in favor of emerging musicians. However, my bipolar experience there causes me to urge the rest of you to temper expectations generated by the hype. These steps should increase likelihood of landing on the good side of the experience: *Go early and sit right in the front. If you only see a few people in line, stick around because it won't stay that way. Otherwise, your view of the proximal artists will still be seen through a filter of craning heads. *Don't be an asshole; arrive with all parties intending to attend, so you are actually sitting in the chairs that you claim to have claimed. *Bring like 25 bucks because who knows what will ever happen; they call the price and you don't want to lose out because you need to find a fee ATM. *Go on like a Sunday night at 10 p.m. in the middle of a snowstorm to see someone "obscure" or who you do not yet know. This way, you'll not only become acquainted with something new, but will truly be supporting new artists and getting a bona fide experience of a miniature venue rather than an incongruously large-club aura owing to sheer overcrowding What I'm saying is don't buy into the myth that begging your way inside, then standing with your back against the wall with breath held and seeing something is a novelty. That's like everything in NYC; too small, too crowded, and bare bones. I say that sitting here comfortably on a quiet night with a full view of world class musical fronteirism is the novelty to enjoy. And The Stone can definitely deliver that, some of the time.

If you lived or visited the Lower East Side over the last several years, you might have gone over to a music venue on Norfolk Street called Tonic. Tonic was an alternative music space operating in a former kosher winery. John Zorn was a regular performer, and there was a revolving cast of both downtown New York musicians and international ones. It closed down two years ago, which was an enormous shame. Offsetting this loss, somewhat, though, is the fact that Tonic has a soul mate called The Stone. Probably, there's two types of people in the world: 1.) People who live in New York because there's a place like The Stone 2.) People who would run screaming and holding their ears within five minutes of walking in The Stone The shows are curated by a rotating cast of guest curators, primarily musicians. The music could be described as jazz, experimental or avant-garde... *Could* be described that way, but that doesn't get at the quirky, entrancing and often very funny things you'll hear and see. I like people who do things with their instruments that I've never seen before (wink). A trumpeter who turns his trumpet and mute into percussion instruments? I saw that here recently... It's the size of a large shoe box; the front door is only steps from the intersection of Ave. C and Houston (challenging the musicians to work with -- or laugh at-- the bizarre sounds and conversations emanating from outside); there are no drinks; and they'll throw you out the minute the show ends... I really have to go more often.

True NYC avant garde jazz club. Owner, underwriter, and artistic director is the legendary John Zorn, although the artist line-up (see the website listed in a previous review) is created by a different NYC artist each month. Shows at 8 and 10 pm almost every night, usually $10 unless there's a special event ($20), such as the monthly John Zorn Improv Night, when he breaks out his sax to jam with friends. I've seen Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog here several times, improv night a couple times, and once or twice even stopped by to check out someone I'd never heard of (just sounded interesting)... definitely worth $10. On the corner of 2nd and Ave C, right across from the gas station. Get there 15-20 minutes early, sit close, and enjoy the intimacy of this gem.

I didn't get to see a performance at the Stone because they were sold out. They refuse to sell tickets in advance - so you have to be prepared to stand outside, even during the winter. I stood in line for 40 minutes behind 90 other people for a Philip Glass performance and did not make the cut. At 10pm when the performance started, no one from the Stone informed anyone there was no more room. Once at the door I finally saw a "SOLD OUT" sign they conveniently put inside the window. For future reference, the Stone only holds 65 people, so get there earlier than 20 minutes (as previous reviews mentioned) if it is a popular event. For the Philip Glass performance people were on line 2 hours in advance, however I think an hour would have been suffice to get in.

Saw Milford Graves for ten dollars. Righteous. Shows start on time, musicians are intense about music.

If someone you like plays here, go. I can't imagine a more intimate venue and I highly doubt one exists. When I came here there were about 30 steel chairs and about an 8 x 8 space for the performers (Carla Kihlstedt and Theresa Wong). The AC was turned off during the duration of the performance so it was super hot but it was one of the greatest show-going experiences of my life. Also, the nature of the performers who are invited here's appealing to me, so I'd love to just come here and give some artists I've never heard of a chance. I think anyone with an open mind would enjoy such an experience. This place is really hard to find as there's no sign over the door and is cash only, so bring cash and try to arrive a bit earlier than you might for normal venue's. I had to look around and try opening some doors to find it.

I came here for a sound art show last year. It consisted of a group of artists sitting in a circle using analog sound equipment to pass a constant audio feed around the group. It lasted for 45 minutes and resulted in the worst ear-piercing sound imaginable. From what I remember, The Stone is one windowless room that is cramped and smells like a sweaty body when full. I can't imagine it being the ideal place to sit back and listen to smooth jazz; however, it seemed to work well for the show I saw/heard. In fact, I think the extreme discomfort of the space added to the aura of the art performance.

The Stone certainly deserves five stars for the musicians, the community and the concept. As for the facilities, it's probably about two or three stars. Though I would be willing to check it out again in the winter, I don't think I would want to go in the summer again, to quietly suffocate in the stuffy room with little fresh air. But I suppose you go for the music, anyway. It's fine when the air is on, but it would be too noisy during a performance so they turn it off. Also, the bathroom is directly behind the performance space with just a door knob lock that makes me wonder if it's really locked so that someone doesn't just fling the door open. And it would be really nice if they had some hand soap... The next time I go, I will try to avoid the bathroom or remember to at least take hand sanitizer.

The Stone is now located at the New School on the first floor of the building at 55 W. 13th St. It's just a bare room with a bunch of chairs. The sight lines are pathetic if you arrive after the first few rows of seats are taken (first come, first served). No advance ticket sales. Make sure you're on line early if you expect to see anything, unless the performers are standing or are not popular. I arrived 20 minutes before showtime and had a terrible seat in the back where I could see nothing. It was one set, a solid hour of music. No encores. The music itself was interesting. The venue is a problem. I would come again only if the performer were someone very special who I had no hope of seeing any place else.

It might be my favorite way of listening to live music; relax, intimate, no pushing, no stage (I do not like stages!) If you really like a band who is playing and are familiar with their music then its def 4 star or more experience in my opinion ( again considering no nonsense - no pushing and shoveling and ... ) But if you go to some random performance just keep in mind that it is more experimental type music and some might be uneasy on your ears- specially if you are like me and blessed with pallet but not so much with hearing "gift" ! just saying.... I still will go back and try many more performance here and would recomend it

Incredible place for experimental music with rotating list of curators. Thanks to John Zorn for creating this venue especially with the accelerated homogenization of NYC that has happened in the last 14 years.

Awesome intimate space for shows. I almost missed this place since it is really inconspicuous. I walked by it a couple of times before I found it. There is barely a sign on the door and it is the windows are all covered from the outside. My friend played a show here and it was really nice. The music was great and this place seems very special and seems geared to very talented fringe musicians. This is a well kept NYC secret and I cannot wait to come back.

stuff you should know before you visit the stone: "rock time" does not exist at the stone. if the show starts at 8, be there, on line to get in (line forms on ave c, not 2nd street) at least fifteen minutes beforehand. the show will generally start within ten minutes of opening. there isn't booze. drink beforehand if you, like most people, feel like booze and shows go together. there isn't standing, only seats. sometimes it's hard to see when you're seated towards the back, even though it's a small venue. it's because there's no stage and the bands or individuals play at the same level as the audience. the bathroom is just behind where the bands play. if you have to use it during a set, you almost have to walk THROUGH the band, which isn't really the best idea. go in-between sets. this place is douche-free. impossible, right? but no, really. there wasn't a douche in sight. no one loudly talking about themselves and being dismissive towards the performers. not one blackberry going off repeatedly (or even once!), and no posturing or posing. everyone in this very mixed crowd was friendly and seemed to know one another. had a real community kind of feel. the music here may or may not be for you. you'll either be enthralled by the lineup of whoever is curating that month or you'll say "who are these people?" even if you fall into the latter category, this is someplace you may want to check out one night and just submerge yourself in some good sounds.

You go to The Stone for the music. Literally, that's it. They don't serve drinks, sell the musicians CDs on a fold-up table, and perform in a small, rectangular space that I'm not even sure has a bathroom. But damn, it's a cool place. I went and saw a Jason Moran trio there, and while my two girl friends left pretty soon after it started, my guy friend and I stayed, entranced, for the whole show. I like Jason Moran, and it was a good show, but more than anything it was the audience - everyone is there for the music, and for whatever reason that makes for a much more intense and enjoyable experience. It's definitely not the type of venue for everyone, especially because the music can be pretty avant-garde, but I suggest you give it a try, it just might change your view on the musician-audience experience. Also, it's difficult to find, especially if you try and scout it out during the day. It's exactly on the NW corner of Ave C & 2nd St., and is only open while the show is on. I believe the website is thestonenyc.com.

I just don't understand why John Zorn can't spend a few bucks to soundproof The Stone's door. It's very frustrating to hear the incessant disruptive Houston Street noise in the middle of most introspective, quiet, visceral sounds of Ryuchi Sakamoto's solo concert. It's upsetting that in a space entirely dedicated to the best of cutting edge music, a single room without a bar, filled with respectful patrons who try to hold every cough, such trivial matter remains unfixed.

If you have adventurous ears, are a lover of avant-garde and experimental music, and are in general a bad-a** mo-fo when it comes to your taste in music, then this place is for you. The space is very intimate and it's purpose is only to serve up some awesome music. You won't see people socializing during the sets...it's all listening....very intense (but cool). If you want some art for your ears, then come on down.

Use bathroom before you come. Bring cash and arrive on time. Enjoy.

I love The Stone and everything they stand for which is an intimate listening experience for fans with all profits going to the musicians. Sure, it's a funky little room crammed full of various types of chairs thus making it the anti-jazz club versus such other venues as the Blue Note. It's not particularly near any subway line and those late night post-set walks in the winter are rarely fun. No one comes around hustling drinks and taking away from the enjoyment of a particular passage because they don't sell drinks. A few have complained about the cover charge, but how else are they going to stay operational without food and drink sales? As a fan, I still go to the more popular, better known clubs, but the Stone is the place closest to my heart.

Older crowd, but good cocktails. Make sure you do not eat, all the food is averageY

This is the real deal. Anyone that attends a venue for nothing other than music has found their home base in the Stone. No nonsense, folding chairs and instruments in a small, dark room. Some of NYC's (and abroad) deepest musicians and bands pass through here...I've seen sets from Nels Cline, Ben Monder, and a ton of other incredible players. This is not a place that non musicians will flock to and the lack of bar and decor rubs some the wrong way. This is in my top 5 music venues in NYC and certainly one of a kind.

The reviews are true. It's practically unmarked, small, and windowless. The air gets stale and street noise abounds. But this is New York at its core - real musicians doing their thing for real fans - no bullshit. So check out who's playing and soak in the music.

I called the number listed on here (on the evening of March 15, 2014 at roughly 8:30 pm) because I was having a hard time finding the Stone. The person who answered confirmed that he was responsible for providing information on the Stone. This man proceeded to use the most condescending, impolite tone to connote my stupidity for not finding the location on my own. I quote: "Well, there are four corners at the intersection. There's a gas station. That's not it. There's a park. That's not it. There's a grocery. And that's not it. So you tell me, what's left?" I told him that I was still having a hard time finding it. And he proceeded to repeat, in the same EXACT way, what he said previously. Luckily my phone ran out of battery. I was about to snap at him. The result: myself and two friends didn't go to the Stone (even though we later found it) and will never go again. You might want to reevaluate letting this person answer the phone.

Who knew such a cool venue was right in my area? The Stone doesn't sell tickets in advance and give no warning as to where they will cut the line waiting for the box office to open, so you're pretty much stuck waiting and hoping. When I started dating my boyfriend he was excited to find out I lived nearby this place and I responded with something along the lines of, "oh that's why there are always huge crowds waiting on the corner.." We went to see Fred Frith and Laurie Anderson, waiting with coffees in the cold for 45 minutes once we had paid the admission. The space was small and chaotic, but I loved the atmosphere. Everyone in attendance was so excited and respectful of the performance which I think the venue 100% adds to. It also excites me to see people who genuinely care managing the small important tasks like selling tickets and merchandise. I wish their seating was built for seeing the performance better, but it felt so special that I didn't mind having an obscured view or that the radiator was incessantly clicking next to me throughout. Actually, the radiator made the show sound even better!

You will be hard pressed to find better music. You would also be hard pressed to find a sauna hotter than The Stone in July. I don't know if I've ever been sweater in my life, and that's saying a lot.

I love San Francisco, but I've got to hand it to New York for their stellar jazz scene. Places like this are true gems. Hot sweaty jazzy gems.

It's tough to rate a music venue, it depends on the performers more. The stone has been around a while and is an institution. No food, no drinks, just music. Exit and repay between sets. Small, maybe 50 people tops. Sound quality good. Usually good performers. Gets ultra hot inside in summers.

I have an interest in experimental music and I've lived in the EV for over 8 years but I've resisted this place. Mainly because I thought that their "no drinks" policy was a tad Draconian. On a recent, cold January night, I decided to commit, as one of my favorite jazz artists, Rudresh Mahanthappa, was playing there. The show was amazing and the atmosphere was pretty cool, given the minimal set-up. I didn't even mind not drinking for an hour. I am now a fan of this venue and resolve to support it more often. Long live The Stone!

A little place where you can sit and enjoy experimental jazz. Probably one of the most vanguard places in town. And the profits go 100% for the musicians that play there

Experimental music that makes you think...or sleep (for some). The music is of nice quality but not to please everyone's ears. No food/drinks, simple folding chairs and $15 cover.

Impecable programming. Shame about the AC and WC.

I agree with all other reviewers....I can only add they do not have air conditioning in the summer! ....and I wish they sold tix in advance...

Yeah, witnessed a few sessions during July '2012, excellent. Missed Ms Anderson but hey, up close with fine talent is always good. Wow, thanks folks.

This place makes Issue Project Room look like a sports bar.

This is one of the worst places I've been to see live music in my entire LIFE! It was quite a surprise - SHOCKING! To be clear, I'm not some experimental music tourist or someone who decided to stop by out of novelty or to try to get "culture." I've seen hundreds and hundreds of shows (like the Stone puts on) in a variety of places. After seeing the numerous listings online of so many compelling sets and lineups at this venue (I live outside of NYC) I knew I had to check it out once I got the chance. YES, I did come with expectations, somehow thinking it'd be more of a "Tonic junior" type place but this was so off the mark and subpar, I couldn't believe it! THIS is NEW YORK'S lil nexus for "out" music? YIKES.... A small space is just fine... unassuming, bare, concrete, hole in the wall - all fine! I've seen great sets in the smallest corners of living rooms, basements, and lofts. But THE STONE.... entering to a room full of plastic IKEA chairs all in a row I felt immediately doubtful about the place. Plus $15 for ONE SET? It's New York, OK you guys have bills to pay, rent... fine, fine, I would still give it a shot, but... I sat down and it immediately felt like school - but in the worst way. The black and white musician pictures on the wall made me feel like I was in some terrible brochure for a music school, sterile but "skilled" and certainly not interesting or lively. I hesitate to use the word "academic" (someone might say - "duh...! John Zorn bro!") but even the musicians and artists in the pictures who I have seen play excellent sets before somehow seemed reduced to the blandest image possible, with any signs of LIFE and excitement removed. Just technique... touching instruments... Being here was like being in the embodiment of a wikipedia page about "avant-garde/experimental music" rather than actually experiencing any evidence of true expression or energy. How unfortunate! ALSO It was dark, I couldn't see faces. No people in the room, just bodies. This is probably THE MOST ANTI-SOCIAL PLACE EVER in which I have seen live music. OK, I get it, pay attention to the music, that's what it's about - THE PERFORMANCE. But if I'm going to venture outside of my own private space, into PUBLIC, and pay money... in addition to hopes of seeing live music of quality I also like to feel enticed by the idea that I might have at least one little conversation with another human being while in a "social setting." But everything about the Stone says NO to this possibility. Sit down in the chair. Listen. Ok, the set's over - that's it! There's no "in between" performances to chat, unless you go to multiple sets (and pay twice, which just seems foolish), there's no place to convene in the sea of chairs except maybe while waiting in line for the toilet? OR maybe outside but... in the heart of winter? Just terrible... The Stone is completely unconducive to any form of relating to others, in conversation or even in just simple regards to the act of taking in MUSIC! ALSO It's quite difficult to see... just heads of strangers blocking the view of most of the musicians who are playing. Audio-wise an amp or speaker CRACKLED badly, repeatedly. One person in the collab set I witnessed just bowed out early due to the technical issues. OVERALL..... NOT SO GOOD....... MASSIVE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT HERE!

We saw a short set the other night. It was a lot of fun; with the student discount, admission is 5 bucks. One tip: there is no sign on the outside, the building just looks like an empty corner.

Somehow we were able to find the place. It was 7:45. I and my friend went in. The solo performer told us curtly we should leave and come back at 7:55. We went outside. There was another person waiting. We made another attempt to go in at 7:55. This time a person with a seemingly chronically turned-up nose brought himself to look down on us and announced we should leave. He said he'd come outside. Perhaps he thought there was a line outside. After another ten minutes or so he opened the door and solemnly granted us permission to go in. We paid $20 per person, which is very reasonable. There were a total of eight people in the audience. The set was 45 minutes long. The music was great, I thought. Perhaps that is the only point. Overall though, I don't think good, even great music is worth being treated this way, even, or perhaps particularly in NYC. That night might have been an exception, but the philosophy behind The Stone seemed to be that they'd rather be left alone and play to themselves, for themselves, not for any lowly audience. And, I think this is very unlike John Zorn. But then again, what do I know? I am only a lowly member of the unwashed, huddled audience.

I am totally new to the city, I just moved in last week. I live two blocks from The Stone and I have heard a lot about it, so I went and checked it out tonight. I saw The Yuko Fujiyama Ensemble and I was amazed. I really like Avant Garde music and it blew my mind how this lady was able to connect classical, jazz, and free improvisation into a cohesive and organized whole with amazing virtuosity. After enjoying the show I went outside to partake in my incredibly awful addiction to cigarettes. While I was standing out there a bass player was unloading his stuff for the next show and he put his espresso down and asked me to watch it, I said sure and mentioned that I play the bass myself. He didn't say anything. He comes back outside picks up his mini coffee, doesn't say thanks, lights up a menthol and walks down the street in what appeared to be nervous mental preparation. I thought it was slightly rude but didn't really think about it. He walked in after having his chemically doused tobacco and I follow him when I was done mine. I had my money out to pay the cover for the next show and what looked to be my peer and who I think was Nonoko Yoshida (creator of The Stone) asked me to leave because the doors didn't open until 9:45. This really unnerved me. Why should I go kick around for twenty minutes while you move some drums? Do you not want my ten dollars? Am I not cool enough??? I looked around thinking, "Are you serious?" while noticing that there were several other people hanging out not being shoed out. I walked out thinking, "I am not coming back for the 10 o'clock show." I walked over to the Parkside and had a beer while feeling this serious pretentious vibe run down my back. Just because you've had Lou Reed, John Zorn, and Laurie Anderson come play at your place doesn't mean you have to place this shroud of sheik over your business. I am totally jumping the gun but it really left me with a bad taste in my mouth (I like the taste of tobacco). I'll be back of course but probably for the $5 show that Nonoko is playing at just to confirm that she's the one that hired the rude bass player and kicked me out for a stupid reason. I guess the whole idea of a venue that's just for music really means just for music and not socializing.