Merrimans' Playhouse is venue for Improvisational and Interactive Arts. We are a Jazz Performance Center, a Recital Hall, a host for Improvisational Theater, a meeting place for Creative Collaboration...
NOTE: Events vary on days of week; venue is only open for events. Please check out EVENT schedule for upcoming concerts.
Merrimans' Playhouse, founded by Stephen Merriman and Mary Merriman, is a Jazz and Interactive Arts Performance Center. We are providing an affordable and family friendly Concert Venue for performances which promote the art of jazz in our community. Merrimans' Playhouse is not a typical club, instead, the goal is to create the opportunity to experience the music as the primary focus; it is more of an "art space" than an "entertainment space". It IS a Listening Room... "A Sonic Art Gallery". The artist has the opportunity to really dig into their art in a space where they can present their work with an appreciative audience. We bring professional touring jazz artists to South Bend, from around the country and from around the world. We want to bridge the gap between cultures and celebrate our universal language of music. Each performance is a special evening for all people in the room. The artists interact with the energy of the attentive audience, creating a very unique experience. The artists perform mostly original music, or their arrangements of other jazz standards.
Another goal is to support the local jazz artists and appreciators. We have started our Jazz Workshop sessions. They are every Tuesday evening, from 7:30 to 10:30. It's open to the public. Listen. Play. Woodshed. Discuss. Based on Jazz Standards. It's a Learning Environment. Bring your Instrument, your Ears, your Friends. Egos stay at the door. $5 suggested donation, but not required.
EVENT PARKING is available at the Farmer's Market Lot, along the treeline that runs parallel with the train tracks. Please do not park at Wiegand's or Bambers lot.
