Collegiate Times

She said that she did not know the venue existed until she saw a friend’s band play there and then later attended meetings there for the residential leadership community.

“I really liked that it has a cool laid back atmosphere,” McVicar said. “It felt like a coffee shop, but it’s more open.”

McVicar said that she works in the event planning industry, so she knows how expensive most venues are. 130 Jackson, she said, is a great deal, and it is an alternative option to have an event beyond the on-campus rooms.

She also said that the manager was well organized and timely in working and meeting with her during the planning process.

“When I went to Blacksburg to meet with him, he was really straight forward and got things taken care of, which I really appreciated,” she said.

However, Delta Psi Nu announced Monday that their rush event will not be hosted at 130 Jackson due to lack of funding for both the rental fee and the event insurance, which is required to use the space and not included in the rental price.

An event that will be held there August 10-11 is the “I Got Brains Fest” hosted by Flannel Gurl Records. Over 50 bands will be playing in three venues in Blacksburg, of which 130 Jackson is one.

Flannel Gurl was one of the first groups to use the venue, because they fell in love with the space, Thompson said.

Thompson said that NLCF wants to build connections and sustain relationships with those that use their space.

“I think the vision of this place is that we serve Blacksburg and Virginia Tech, and build relationships with the people we come in contact with,” Thompson said.

Between the concerts, birthday parties, wedding receptions, sorority and fraternity socials, church services, classes and any other event that has been hosted in the space, 130 Jackson continues to strive to be a versatile and convenient venue for the community to use according to Thompson.

130 Jackson can be seen from Jackson Street and can be walked to from either Jackson Street or Draper Road. There is a link that shows how to walk from Squires Student Center to the space on the venue’s
website.

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A version of this article appeared in the Aug 9 issue of the Collegiate Times.