A nondescript door is the only indication that Soundlab exists, cradled between Studio Arena and Shea's Performing Arts Center. The door is not marked with a neon sign or billboard, only a small stenciled sign.
Soundlab, located at 505 Pearl St., is small, compared to other venues, but serves as a bar, performance stage and an art gallery.
The decor is minimal, with exposed beams lining the ceiling and concrete floors. The lighting is sparse, with several hanging lights and several tea-light candles spread throughout.
The venue reopened in May after moving from Big Orbit, Inc. in Toronto. According to Director Craig Reynolds, Soundlab had to relocate after being kicked out of Big Orbit because of noise problems.
The stage area of Soundlab offers moderate audience capacity and is not limited to only acting and music.
"As far as events go, there is so much innovative stuff coming through here. There is nothing like it in Buffalo," said John Long, a graduate student concentrating in art history.
Soundlab has had poetry readings from local writers, and is considered a regular stop for authors touring the nation promoting their novels. Hip Hop and rock shows are common at Soundlab, as well.
The venue caters to the alterative arts that do not get as much attention from mainstream media or audiences, according to Reynolds.
"I don't need to prove things are legitimate. If it is alternative theater than why be legitimized in the traditional way?" he said.
Soundlab is an outlet for the obscure and overlooked arts. On Oct. 26, Soundlab hosted an experimental sound performance featuring the DJ Trio, DJ Olive, Toshio Kajiwara and Marina Rosenfeld. Their special guest performer was Tony Conrad, a video professor in UB's Department of Media Studies.
"(Conrad) has had a huge influence on minimalism in rock music. When people see him they are star struck," said Eric Miller, an art history graduate student.
During his performance, Conrad strummed a single guitar string with his finger then with a violin bow. The one-string performance had a backdrop of experimental vocal ranges and the visual part of the performance consisting of two screens showing the live image of Conrad being distorted and blurred as he played.
Reynolds said there was already an infrastructure but there was a crisis on how to deal with the digital arts.
Soundlab also serves as an art gallery, and is currently featuring an exhibit by Terry Cuddy, a graduate student in the Department of Media Studies and lecturer. The exhibit, called "Topicalia," is a collection of prints combined with digital-like constructions.
"I wanted to create a space that was a gallery, so that people can think critically, and a bar to give it an organic feel," said Reynolds.
The next performance at Soundlab will be on Nov. 1, featuring Toronto rock bands Picastro and White Starline. For more information call 883-3209.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
