Knitting Factory Entertainment

Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE) is a privately held entertainment company that owns, operates, and partners multiple hospitality entities and venues around the United States. It was founded in 1987 with the opening of The Knitting Factory, an alternative music and art venue in New York City.
==Overview==
===Entertainment and hospitalityvenues===
Knitting Factory Entertainment’s owned-and-operated holdings include Knitting Factory concert houses in Boise, Idaho and Spokane, Washington, and The Federal Bar gastropub in North Hollywood, Los Angeles"The Federal Bar is among the area's newest opening”. Los Angeles Daily News. January 27, 2011.. Partnership holdings include El Tejano in North Hollywood, Los AngelesElliot, Farley (July 21, 2016). “It's Tex Mex Paradise at El Tejano in North Hollywood”. Eater., Thirsty Merchant in Valley Village, Los AngelesHindle, Michelle (July 18, 2018). “The Thirsty Merchant Brings Beer, Hooch, and Games to Valley Village”. Thirsty., The CanTiki bar in Glendale, CaliforniaElliott, Farley (October 28, 2021). “A Colorful New Tiki Bar Opens This Weekend in a Surprising Glendale Space”. Eater., The Regent Theatre in Downtown Los AngelesBrown, August (November 7, 2014). “Downtown L.A.'s Regent Theater finally opens tonight”. The Los Angeles Times., Arrive Hotel in Palm Springs, CaliforniaDescant, Skip (February 18, 2016). “Calling all locals, Arrive Palm Springs has arrived”. The Desert Sun., and Smash Face, Loaded lounge, and El Tejano in DenverSexton, Josie (January 14, 2020). “What's coming to the former Tavern and Cowboy Lounge in LoDo? Tex-Mex, a brewery and a 'rock and roll bar'”. The Denver Post..
===Knitting Factory Presents===
Knitting Factory Presents is one of the top 100 promoters in the world“2020 YearEnd Worldwide ticket sales top 100 promoters”. Pollstar. December 14, 2020. and produces national and international tours, concerts, and events. Knitting Factory Presents books Fawcett Hall and Alma Mater in Spokane, Washington“Kniting Factory To Exclusively Book Tacoma's Fawcett Hall”. Pollstar.January 8, 2021., Slowdown in Omaha, NebraskaCoffey, Kevin (January 20, 2016). “Slowdown will be booked by Knitting Factory”. Omaha World-Herald., Wine Country Amphitheater in Walla Walla, WashingtonZoltak, James (May 19, 2022). “Swing Time: New Shed at Golf Course”. VenuesNow., Elevation 27 in Virginia Beach, VirginiaBrooks, Dave (December 7, 2018). “Knitting Factory Signs Criterion in OKC and New Virginia Beach Nightclub”. Billboard., Hop Springs Beer Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee“Knitting Factory Entertainment Named The Exclusive Talent Buyer At Hop Springs Beer Park In Tennessee”. CelebrityAccess. August 11, 2022., Maha Festival in Omaha, NebraskaSpeer, Debbie (September 29, 2020). “Omaha's Maha Festival Taps Knitting Factory Entertainment As Exclusive Talent Buyer”. Pollstar., and Desert Daze in Moreno Valley, CaliforniaWaddell, Ray (June 2, 2016). “Knitting Factory Partners With Spaceland & Moon Block on Desert Daze Fest”. Billboard..
Knitting Factory Presents previously booked SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo, California“Knitting Factory to book concerts at SLO Brews”. The Tribune May 18, 2016., The Highline Ballroom in Manhattan“Knitting Factory Inks Highline Deal”. Pollstar. August 5, 2015., Myth Live in MinneapolisReilly, Mark (March 9, 2017). “Myth nightclub hires New York's Knitting Factory to book shows”. Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal., True Music Room & Bar in Nashville, TennesseeHollabaugh, Lorie (February 16, 2018). “Knitting Factory To Book TRUE, New Nashville Venue In Cambria Hotel”. Music Row., Rachael Ray’s Feedback Festival in Chicago“Knitting Factory To Bring Rachael Ray's Feedback To Chicago”. CelebrityAccess. Retrieved November 18, 2022., Horton’s Hayride in San Pedro, Los AngelesShook, Martin (June 20, 2017). “Knitting Factory Presents the 4th Annual Horton's Hayride”. Volted Magazine., and The Decemberists' Travelers Rest Festival in Missoula, MontanaCourtney, Ian (March 8, 2018). “The Decemberists To Headline Traveler's Rest Festival”. CelebrityAccess..
===Knitting Factory Management===
Knitting Factory Management handles a roster of national and international recording artists that includes !!!, Boots Riley’s The Coup, José González“Knitting Factory Rolls Up Management”. Pollstar. April 26,2016, Saul WilliamsBrooks, Dave (September 22, 2020). “Saul Williams Sign With Knitting Factory for Management”. Billboard., and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80“Afrobeat Icon Seun Kuti Signs With Knitting Factory Management”. Pollstar. March 25, 2021., among others.
===Partnerships===
Knitting Factory Entertainment’s partnerships have included the Van Johnson CompanyMcNary, Dave (June 14, 2022). “VJC in Knitting Factory Deal”. Variety., Partisan Records“Renowned Indie Labels Patrisan and Knitting Factory Records Partner With Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA)”. Warner Music Group. August 29, 2013., Buckhead Group, Spaceland Presents, Arts and Recreation Inc., Fillmore Capital Partners, CMoore Concerts, W3 Entertainment Group, Moon Block, and The Connect Group“Knitting Factory Partners with Connect Group In Wide Ranging Deal”. CelebrityAccess. Retrieved November 18, 2022..
=== Filmed entertainment ===
Knitting Factory Entertainment’s principals have film credits on Neptune FrostHoffman, Jordan (June 1, 2022). “Neptune Frost features bold colors—and bolder ideas”. The A.V. Club., They Will Have to Kill Us FirstMcNary, Dave (February 3, 2016). “'They Will Have to Kill Us First' Malian Music Documentary Set for U.S. Release”. Yahoo News., and Finding FelaLamb, Karas. “Okayafrica Video: 'Finding Fela Debuts At Sundance 2014”. Okayplayer. Retrieved November 18, 2022..
== History ==
The Knitting Factory venue founder Michael Dorf opened a Los Angeles club in 2000Rubien, David (March 28, 2000). “Opening of Knitting Factory West-Coast Venue Postponed”. MTV., under KnitMedia, Knitting Factory Entertainment’s former parent company. Jared Hoffman, the founder of Instinct Records, took over as CEO from Dorf in 2003Sisario, Ben (July 10, 2008). “For the Knitting Factory, Westward Ho (Brooklyn, Too)”. The New York Times..
=== Knitting Factory music venues (2008-2009) ===
Hoffman oversaw the acquisition of concert promoter Bravo Entertainment, before rebranding their Boise, Idaho and Spokane, Washington clubs as Knitting Factory concert housesWaddell, Ray (January 30, 2006). “Knitting Factory Acquires Bravo”. Billboard.. Morgan Margolis, who has served the Knitting Factory brand since 2000, took over as CEO in 2008Gelt, Jessica (November 11, 2012). “Morgan Margolis is building a Knitting Factory empire”. The Los Angeles Times.. 
Also in 2008, Knitting Factory Entertainment partnered with Brooklyn-based indie label Partisan Records.
In July 2009, Knitting Factory Entertainment announced they would close the Los Angeles Knitting Factory club to launch a new concept, The Federal BarRoberts, Randall (July 20, 2009). "Knitting Factory Hollywood Closing Its Doors". LA Weekly.. That same month, the Manhattan Knitting Factory club held its last show before reopening at a new Brooklyn location on September 9, 2009Sisario, Ben (January 1, 2009). "At Knitting Factory, a Final Manhattan Show". The New York Times."Satellite Lounge opening, Knitting Factory Brooklyn still not". BrooklynVegan. May 7, 2009..
On December 31, 2009, a new Knitting Factory location opened near the Reno Arch in the heart of Downtown Reno, Nevada“Knitting Factory Heads To Reno”. CelebrityAccess. Retrieved August 3, 2022.. 
The venue featured concerts from artists such as Willie Nelson, The Smashing Pumpkins, Rob Zombie, Skrillex, Modest Mouse, Alice in Chains, Cormega, and Zedd.
===Expansion (2011-2015)===
In 2011, Knitting Factory Entertainment launched The Federal Bar in the NoHo Arts District, Los Angeles. Located in a former bank, The Federal Bar houses a restaurant, music complex, and speakeasy.
In 2013, Knitting Factory Entertainment opened The Federal Bar Long Beach in Long Beach, California, also located in an historic bank building. The Federal Bar Long Beach featured a restaurant, a music venue, and speakeasyO’Connell, Sean (June 14, 2013). “A new Federal Bar is latest wave on Pine Ave in Long Beach”. The Los Angeles Times..
In November 2014, Knitting Factory Entertainment opened The Regent Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, in partnership with Spaceland Presents.
The Federal Bar Brooklyn opened adjacent to the Knitting Factory Brooklyn location on June 19, 2015"The Federal Bar, aka Knitting Factory’s new restaurant, is open". BrooklynVegan. June 22, 2015. .
===Partnerships (2016-present)===
In February 2016, Knitting Factory Entertainment opened the Arrive Hotel in Palm Springs, California, in partnership with Arts and Recreation Inc. In April 2016, Knitting Factory Management was foundedWaddell, Ray (April 26, 2016)."Knitting Factory Rebrands Management Division as KFM". Billboard..
In June 2016, Knitting Factory Entertainment announced its partnership with Moon Block on the critically acclaimed Desert Daze music festival at the Institute of MentalPhysics Joshua Tree Retreat Center in Joshua Tree, California. The festival has since moved to the Lake Perris State Recreation Area in Moreno Valley, California. 
In July 2016, Knitting Factory Entertainment partnered with Buckhead Group to launch El Tejano in North Hollywood, Los Angeles. The Buckhead Group partnership then opened The Thirsty Merchant in Valley Village, Los Angeles in May 2018 and The CanTiki bar in Glendale, California in October 2021.
In 2019, Knitting Factory Entertainment announced three concepts to be opened in LoDo, Denver, in partnership with Fillmore Capital Partners: El Tejano, Loaded lounge, and Smash Face. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed opening until fall 2021Sexton, Josie (October 12, 2021). "Massive new dining, nightlife complex opens near Coors Field- but who will it cater to?". The Denver Post..
Between 2016 and 2020, Knitting Factory Entertainment closed three venues, the Reno Knitting Factory club in January 2016Bynum, Brad (March 24, 2016). "Factory closes". Reno News & Review., The Federal Bar Brooklyn in May 2017Gonella, Catalina (September 4, 2022). "Knitting Factory closes shop in Brooklyn for Manhattan return". Gothamist., and The Federal Bar Long Beach in May 2020Addison, Brian (May 9, 2020). "‘We’re just trying to survive:’ The Federal Bar to close Downtown location". The Long Beach Post..
In April 2021, Knitting Factory Presents announced it would take over as talent buyer for Pappy & Harriet's in Pioneertown, CaliforniaBlueskye, Brian (April 22, 2021). "Knitting Factory, Desert Daze founder to take over booking at Pappy and Harriet's". The Desert Sun.. Since then, the agreement has become mired in an ongoing legal disputeRoberts, Randall (July 21, 2022). "Inside the battle for control of a legendary music club – and the soul of a high desert town". The Los Angeles Times.. According to Billboard, “Knitting Factory Entertainment CEO Morgan Margolis claimed his former partners, JB Moresco and Lisa Elin, concocted a crisis to push him out”Brooks, Dave (March 10, 2022). "Iconic Desert Cantina Pappy + Harriet’s Facing a Heated Ownership Fight". Billboard..
Category:Companies established in 1987
Category:Entertainment companies
Category:Companies based in New York City