The Kent Stage

I've been twice in the past few months for shows and it really is a great venue. There is a parking garage close by. They sell snacks & beer/wine in the lobby. The sound is great and seating comfortable.I see more shows in my future.

We have been coming hr for the past 2 years, probably 4-5 times per summer, and have thoroughly enjoyed the shows. The theatre has loads of history and that is nice, but I do wish they would put a little money into new seats. We like the balcony because people aren't on top of you, and many of the seats are torn up and really uncomfortable. The sound system is great, in fact maybe a bit too loud at times, but I have always had a good time. The bar is a nice feature and the staff seem pretty helpful.There is parking everywhere in Kent, so that's never an issue. I don't like that everyone stands outside the doors and smokes because it is extremely overpowering. We may have made a mistake this year and joined the "Friends of Kent Stage". So far I haven't seen any benefit, and although we are supposed to be invited to a special event, we haven't seen any signs of that yet either.

Great little music venue. Mostly musicians who have been around for a while, classics if you will. Really good vibe.

So, I used to live in Kent many aeons ago, and I remember what is now the Kent Stage as a tiny, quaint movie theater. My wife and I went to see a live broadcast of a podcast we like a lot, and were very surprised. The Kent stage is small, and a bit timeworn, but if you look on the walls coming in, they've got a load of history on them; bands as diverse as old blues standards, and as recent as 90's hit groups and a whole cornucopia of groups in-between. They also have a full-service bar, lots of restrooms and the seating is not so cramped that you'll feel uncomfortable. The sound system and lighting is good, and the place looks like it can host anything that you could think of. Ticket prices are not bad, (I think we paid 18$ for our seats,) and the owner and his staff were very welcoming. There is some street parking, and plenty of garages nearby in Kent's bustling downtown district to accommodate for safe, solid parking, as well as a gaggle of eateries around to sate your appetite. All in all, if you want to try a new "stage" in your life, go with an old favorite, The Kent Stage:)

Six years removed from KSU, I found myself drawn back in to East Main Street for their annual Folk Festival, but more specifically to see Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero's. The first impression had me marveling the old lit-up marquee announcing that night's act. This building had the appearance of an old movie theater. The lobby, small and quaint. The bar was well stocked with a variety of brews. Tall Boy PBR's for the thrifty college student and an assortment of Great Lakes for the rest of us. Freshly popped popcorn, snack packs and fountain beverages were also available. The stage area is a decent size. It seats apx. 500+ if I had to guess with a small 2nd floor balcony. Fold down seats lined in vintage red velour fill the room. The stage and fabric lined walls reminded me of an auditorium in an older school. Acoustically, the space seemed perfectly adequate to handle the tunes that blast from the stage. All in all, this is a great place to see a show and being located right in the heart of E. Main, it's a great location and within walking distance from the locally favorite bars and shops.

What a history this place has! When I found my row, I could feel the past in my seat. Constructed in 1927 as a movie theatre and revamped in 2002 as a live music venue, Kent Stage provides a quality sound and decent seating from every angle. I especially love the intimacy the theatre brings with it's smaller size, which was perfect for seeing our favorite band, Over the Rhine, play last night. Karin & Linford warmed us up from the cold outside, and wove their way in to our hearts, as they do. We saw them in concert just over a year ago in Seattle, but to see them in their home state was a real treat. They both raved about this particular venue from the stage, and I was inclined to believe them. The coffee & wine bar was a nice touch.

The Kent Stage is an under-appreciated concert venue. Some big names (and some not so big) appear here regularly. Most seating is general admission, staff is friendly and the crowd is eclectic. I think at times they could advertise a bit more and sell out. I've been to awesome concerts with only 70-100 patrons. Light snacks, beer, wine and cocktails are available. Chris

The Kent Stage does not pretend to be anything other than a great place to see shows at a reasonable price. We went to 3 shows last year and thoroughly enjoyed our experiences. The venue is old, but for us that is the charm of the place. It is an easy venue to get in and out of with ample parking in the immediate area. The sound of all of the performances has been very good. We eat local before going to the show which makes a nice evening. We have tickets for 2 shows later this year and look forward to more fond memories. Love it for what it is!

It was absolutely awful! We will never go back to this place as will the performers we went to see.

I've been to The Kent Stage about 8 times and have a few more trips planned. The venue is in a great location and as other reviewers have mentioned, has a lot of history. The lighting and sound system have been fantastic every time I've visited. I appreciated the "no talking" policy announced at the beginning of Judy Collins' set. The last thing I want to hear is a conversation during the concert. Be quiet and listen! A "no ice in the drinks" policy would help too, since there was a lot of cup-shaking and ice rattling during her more quiet songs. The owner is always present before and after shows, and he seems like a no-nonsense kind of guy. Perhaps not the most approachable, but he sure keeps his staff and audience in-check! Looking forward to the upcoming concerts I have tickets for!