Downtown Harrisonburg is an eclectic microcosm with plenty of restaurants, bars, and other unique places to spend a Saturday night. But, the one thing the hometown of the Dukes lacks is a thriving concert venue. Luckily enough, Charlottesville's own Jefferson Theater is only about an hour away. The Jefferson is a well trafficked, mid-size venue on the downtown mall in Charlottesville, a trendy and lively spot to spend a weekend or even just a few hours. I was fortunate enough to attend my first show there last night, and was very impressed by the overall atmosphere of the theater. Here are some of my impressions after spending a good portion of my Saturday night there.

After walking in the doors, I was immediately greeted by a ticket taker who was friendly and helpful. The entrance process of showing my ticket, ID, and getting an over 21 wristband was smooth and efficient. The clean-cut bartender continued the trend of outgoing staff as he took my order. Drinks were on the pricey side, but that was to be expected. In addition to cans of run of the mill beers, the bar had Blue Moon and Bold Rock on tap, among other specialty brews.

Inexpensive general admission tickets warrant patrons a spot on the broad, slightly slanted floor in front of the stage. The area filled quickly once the opener, Odessa, started their set. Although the show was sold out, I never felt claustrophobic with the number of people surrounding me. With the exception of a few belligerent fans, the crowd was relatively tame; the energy was high and contagious, but never out of control.

The theater is beautiful and well maintained, with subtle, vintage details. In fact, the Jefferson originally opened in 1912 and reopened full time in 2009, and its historic architecture is beautifully maintained. The entire vibe of the theater felt hospitable. In fact, audience members were thanking the headlining band, The Lone Below, continually throughout their set. I though that response was interesting and reflected the welcoming atmosphere the venue creates.

Other small details stood out to me, as well. For instance, the lighting during both of the bands' sets was ambient and added a nuanced effect to the musical experience. The restrooms were clean and stocked with toilet paper at the end of the show. As trivial as it may seem, I appreciated it. There is nothing worse than getting stuck in a grimy bathroom without toilet paper, but it tends to happen all too frequently. Even as I exited the theater after the show, the same staff members who took my ticket at the beginning said good night and thanked my friends and me for coming.

Overall, the experience I had at the Jefferson Theater was fun, authentic, and left me looking forward to coming back. The well-kept, charming venue reflected the atmosphere of downtown Charlottesville, which is conveniently located in relation to Harrisonburg. After seeing my first show there, I can say with certainty that I will be back, and I encourage any music lovers to try it out.