Athens music and arts center to celebrate 5th anniversary with karaoke and roller skating

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·3 min read
Sean T. Conlon, left, Nicholas Bradfield and Victoria Austin stand outside Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.
Sean T. Conlon, left, Nicholas Bradfield and Victoria Austin stand outside Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.

When Cassie Chantel walked into Rabbit Hole Studios last week to unlock her office door, she was carrying an acoustic guitar in her other hand. The fact that an award-winning Athens hip-hop artist had the inspiration and support to experiment with their sound speaks to the transformative effect the studio has had on members of the local scene.

Rabbit Hole will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a free night of karaoke and roller skating on Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. Food and beverages will be provided, and the studio will hold a free raffle for 30 hours of rehearsal and recording time for bands in attendance. Co-working space members, like Chantel, will continue to have 24/7 access.

Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is decorated with art and instruments on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.
Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is decorated with art and instruments on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.

Founded by Athens resident Nick Bradfield in 2017, Rabbit Hole began life as Bradfield's home recording studio and has expanded over the past five years into a fully-functional maker space at 1001 Winterville Road that includes indoor and outdoor concert stages, rehearsal and recording rooms, a clothing shop and an urban farm.

Free flick at Dudley Park : You won't need a 'Multi Pass' to catch a free screening of this 1990s sci-fi classic in Athens

Local role in 'Stranger Things': Commerce actor featured on 'Stranger Things' began TV career at 52

"Artists often exist in a void or vacuum without a community," Bradfield told the Banner-Herald. "I've discovered and learned so many new artistic mediums through my leadership role (at the studio), and I'm continually inspired by just making sure everything here is efficient, safe, inviting and clean."

Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is uniquely decorated with art and instruments everywhere you look on Monday, August 1, 2022 in Athens.
Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is uniquely decorated with art and instruments everywhere you look on Monday, August 1, 2022 in Athens.

Rabbit Hole Studios 'a melting pot'

Bradfield moved to Athens from Wisconsin in 2008 when his mother got a job working at the University of Georgia and decided to make the city his home after becoming involved with the local music scene. Unable to sustain himself as a career musician, Bradfield taught himself how to use recording equipment and got into live engineering, where he earned money doing sound for festivals. Bradfield ran Creature Comforts' summer music program for three years.

At first, Rabbit Hole Studios operated out of Chase Park Warehouses, renting out equipment and providing recording and rehearsal space before expanding to a location on Commerce Road. But Bradfield's dream was realized when the former AMVETS headquarters on Winterville Road became available.

Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is decorated with art and instruments on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.
Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is decorated with art and instruments on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.

With a staff that includes manager Victoria Austin and tech handyperson Sean T. Conlon, Rabbit Hole has grown exponentially over the past two years. Austin told the Banner-Herald that Bradfield was an inspiring person and a great example of someone who was able to turn a passion into something that can be shared with others.

Drive-in theater's summer offerings: The only drive-in theater in Athens announced its summer lineup. Here's what's playing

With its free workshops, open-invitation Full Moon Jams and weekly downtown Athens drum circles, Rabbit Hole has grown into a presence that hasn't just attracted and gained help from time-honored members of the local artistic community. It stands as a reminder of the Athens that could support and sustain artists that might one day see their name on the Athens Music Walk of Fame.

"I'm definitely not the same Cassie as when I moved in (to Rabbit Hole Studios)," Chantel told the Banner-Herald. "This place is like a melting pot like of different genres and different styles of artists and musicians. I'm exploring music theory and getting more versed in the history of music. I'm taking some time to reshape my craft."

For additional information, visit rabbitholestudios.org.

Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is decorated with art and instruments on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.
Rabbit Hole Studios, a music and arts community center where artists of all backgrounds can gather to rehearse, record and hold events, is decorated with art and instruments on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022 in Athens.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens community arts center Rabbit Hole celebrating 5th anniversary