FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE UNITED THEATRE TO OPERATE THE KNICKERBOCKER AS A MUSIC LAB BEGINNING IN 2026

WESTERLY, R.I. -  November 19, 2025 - The UNITED Theatre in Westerly, RI is excited to announce a major new chapter in its longstanding partnership with the Knickerbocker Music Center (“the Knick”). Beginning in 2026, the UNITED will assume stewardship of programming for the iconic 91-year-old venue, transforming the space into a creative center for music education, performance, and artistic incubation that honors the Knick’s storied history while embracing a bold vision for its future.

The UNITED and the Knick have been close collaborators for more than seven years. That partnership has expanded significantly since 2020, when the UNITED Music School began offering private lessons, classes, ensemble rehearsals, summer camps, masterclasses, and Youth-on-the-Mic events at the Knick providing thousands of young musicians opportunities to grow on a stage steeped in local legacy.

“The Knick is more than a venue, it’s a cornerstone of our cultural campus and an essential piece of Rhode Island’s musical story,” said Tony Nunes, Artistic Director of the UNITED Theatre. “This next chapter ensures that its history continues to be written for many years to come by the emerging artists who will define the future of music in our region.”

Under the UNITED’s leadership, the Knick will offer curated local and regional live performances multiple times each month; monthly dance nights; teen music nights; youth and community open mics; UNITED Music School lessons and ensemble performances; community rentals; and a new artist residency program for established and emerging musicians, many brought up from Nashville as part of the UNITED’s Nashville North initiative. Additional programs with new partners in recording, audio production, and musician development will be announced later in 2026.   

Under the operating model set to begin in 2026, the Knick building itself will remain as is, with a focus on utilizing the building primarily as a venue and education space while preserving the historic space and finding new ways to celebrate Westerly’s rich music history with artifacts and historical pieces on display throughout. The Knick will pivot away from operating as a regular bar venue and restaurant to better serve youth programming. Select events may feature pop-up food and beverage service in partnership with the UNITED and local hospitality partners. The Tap Room at the Knick will be closed.

Public programming at the Knick has taken a pause that began on November 1, 2025 while the building undergoes long-planned repairs and renovations, including a much-needed roof replacement. The UNITED’s music lessons and student-focused events like Youth-on-the-Mic will continue uninterrupted throughout the pause. Full public programming will return in March 2026 under the UNITED banner.

ABOUT THE UNITED

The non-profit UNITED features a 700-capacity flexible-use black box auditorium that is used for live music, theater, comedy, opera, dance, and presentations; three film venues including a 76-seat main cinema, a 24-seat micro-cinema, and a 99-seat balcony cinema; a multi-purpose event and gallery space; and a state-of-the-art music school. The UNITED is located at 5 Canal St. in downtown Westerly, RI.
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ABOUT THE KNICKERBOCKER MUSIC CENTER

Founded in 1933, the historic Knickerbocker has been a beloved institution within Westerly’s musical landscape. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2014, the Knick has worked to preserve the region’s rich musical heritage and provide a home for artists to teach, play, and create.Beginning November 1, 2025, the Knickerbocker Music Center will be taking a pause in live programming to allow the building to undergo much-needed renovations, including the replacement of the roof, which has been experiencing significant leaks.

This pause is a necessary step to preserve and protect the Knick’s historic home and ensure it remains a vibrant and welcoming space for artists and audiences alike.

The Knick is not closing, we’re simply taking time to invest in the future of this beloved music venue and music education space for generations to come. Programming will resume in March 2026 with a new chapter for the Knick and new partnerships to help continue to preserve the region’s rich musical heritage while fostering a creative home for artists to teach, play, record, and share their music.

We’re deeply grateful for the community’s ongoing support and look forward to celebrating the Knick’s next chapter with you in 2026!

The Knickerbocker Café, a storied music club in Westerly, Rhode Island, was built in 1933, shortly after the end of Prohibition. The mission of the Knickerbocker Music Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is to preserve, cultivate and grow the "Knick's" unique brand of blues, as well as expanding access to music of all genres, by transforming the Knick into both an exciting performance venue and an exceptional center for music education