Tuesday, October 10, 2006 12:07 PM CDT

Hill's newest live music venue now open

By EMILY CHRISTENSEN, Courier Staff Writer

CEDAR FALLS --- For decades The Stein/Pizza House was a College Hill staple.

It's closure left a void that Darin Beck hopes to fill. Beck, owner of Barmuda MMC, recently opened Mojo's Pizza House, a live music venue that "happens to serve a pretty good pizza."

"We felt it was important to keep that pizza tradition alive," Beck said. Part of that tradition meant continuing to offer pizza through a walk-up window.

However, Beck is quick to point out that Mojo's is first and foremost a live music venue. The newest Barmuda venture holds 350, which manager Jeremy Gage said is more than any other in the Cedar Valley."The easy thing to do would have been to put a DJ booth in the corner and turn this into another hip-hop club, but that's just not right for College Hill," Beck said. "We are trying to bring a broader blend of services and retail to this area. We don't need it to be a street full of bars."



But, instead of only offering a stage for well-established musical acts Beck has opened his doors to some up-and-coming bands as well.



On Wednesday, bands can book their own 30-minute set. Beck said this gives newcomers the chance to test their sound out on a live audience. Those who do well may be invited back for a Thursday night which features bands who aren't quite ready for a weekend show, but are building a following. Friday and Saturday nights are reserved for more established local, regional and national bands.


Mondays are set aside for wannabe DJs to use their iPod playlist to wow the crowd. On Tuesdays the area's true DJs are given the opportunity to spin their sounds for a live audience. Gage, a former Bourbon Street assistant manager, said Tuesdays have been hard to book because of a dearth of DJs in the Cedar Valley. Many move to bigger cities to gain experience.



While the bar books predominantly rock 'n' roll gigs, Beck said some shows have been a bit more eclectic. During university breaks he also hopes to bring in some of the area's more classic bands that may appeal to a broader demographic.



"We want the entertainment to speak for itself," Beck said. "We aren't about the best drink specials or the craziest gimmicks. It's about the live music."



Beck's next College Hill endeavor is set to open later this month or in early November. ICE, a high-end ultra lounge, will open in the old Tony's Lounge. Beck's College Hill location will likely be open for business by the end of the year. Beck has sunk about $1 million into both projects, with about $700,000 going into Beck's and ICE.

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1520 or emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.