06/18/2026
This is awesome news! Hope to see you there again sometime real soon!
In January, live music fans in Baltimore, MD were dealt a devastating blow: Local venue The 8×10 would close its doors for good after more than 40 years. But now, just as the beloved independent club was scheduled to shutter, The 8x10 has found new ownership and announced that it will reopen later this year.
Philly’s Rising Sun Presents will assume ownership and management of the 300-capacity independent venue in partnership with Baltimore native and acclaimed musician Cris Jacobs and longtime building owner Dave Rather. The venue will temporarily close over the summer as initially scheduled, with plans underway for an October 2026 grand reopening.
"The 8x10 has been an institution in Baltimore for decades," Cris Jacobs wrote in a social media post on Monday. "Since I first started playing music on stages, I’ve played that one more than any other. This room has helped shape my music and my life, and has helped build a truly special community in this city. … Today, I am proud to announce that The 8x10 lives on!"
Rising Sun Presents is a family of entertainment and hospitality professionals founded in 2022 by the team behind Ardmore Music Hall. As RSP managing partner Chris Perella explained, “We’ll focus on continuing the legacy that Abigail and Brian have fostered … while adding the fine details and fan-focused touches.”
Baltimore’s Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, longtime veterans of The 8x10 stage, returned in early May for a special performance then believed to be the band's final show at the venue. That night’s encore included bittersweet covers like The Rolling Stones' "Miss You," Semisonic's "Closing Time," and The Beatles' "The End."
Full story and Pigeons at The 8x10 video at the link in the comments.
