The Stone (music space)

The Stone is a not-for-profit experimental music performance space located in the Alphabet City neighborhood in New York City. It was founded in April 2005 by John Zorn, who serves as the artistic director. It was named for the late Irving Stone, an "inveterate concertgoer" in the New York City music community.

The Stone is situated on the northwest corner of Avenue C and 2nd Street, in a building which used to be the Golden Dragon Chinese restaurant. Residential apartments are located above The Stone in the same building, though residents enter the building through a separate door along Avenue C. The only signage visible is the wording The Stone in small gold lettering painted on the door which is visible after the metal security gate is rolled up a few hours before each performance.

Unlike most musical venues in the area, The Stone does not serve food or drinks. Dancing is also not permitted, as The Stone does not have a cabaret license. All door revenues from the admission cost are given directly to the performers. The club supports itself with donations, benefit concerts, and sales of limited edition CDs. The CD series includes performers such as Mike Patton, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Fred Frith, Chris Cutler, Bill Laswell, Medeski, Martin and Wood and John Zorn himself.

From April 2005 to March 2013 The Stone was booked on a curatorial basis. Every month, a different guest curator was chosen to book performances. As a result, a wide variety of musical styles have been seen in the space, although the vast majority of performers can be considered part of the experimental music or avant-garde scene. Beginning April 2013 The Stone suspended the curator series to present a variety of distinguished cutting-edge artists in week-long Stone Residencies, performing their own work six nights a week, two sets a night.

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