Laura Mann has an Airstream and a bucket list. As much as she wishes it were possible to take The Living Room and everything she built in Ardmore with her, Mann has to leave it behind on her tour of America.
After five years on the Main Line as the proprietor of what must be one of the world’s unique music venues, Mann is shutting The Living Room down at the end of April. It’s a tearful goodbye to a six-year long passion project that’s brough in artists from around the nation and the globe.
“Don’t make me cry,” Mann says during our interview, remembering the art exhibits, speakers, presentations and myriad shows hosted at her humble venue. “It’s been wonderful being able to say goodbye to everybody.”
With time to spare before officially shutting her doors, Mann has scheduled some of her favorite performers to come back and play farewell shows, though many are already sold out.
Jim Boggie and Ben Arnold will perform with the 48 Hour Orchestra for the final show on April 27, and Mann herself will play with longtime friend and writing partner Dan Navarro on April 26.
After that, who knows where Mann’s road will take her? She knows that first she’ll have a furniture sale of all the comfy couches, armchairs and cushions from her showroom on April 28, then she’ll pack up the RV with her two dogs, Casey and Coco, and hit the road.
“I’m just excited for my next chapter and going to travel the country, tour, record, perform, write more songs and just visit the National Parks that I haven’t seen,” Mann enthuses.
During her journey, Nashville is one can’t-miss stop. They’re she’ll meet with old friends and music partners to write more music and perhaps play a show or two. Los Angeles is a pitstop for the same reasons. After that, she looks forward to the open road, perhaps with additional stops to Yellowstone and along the Pacific Coast Highway.
The allure of freedom has drawn Mann for too long. Despite the love she has for Ardmore, she understands that it’s time to begin a new chapter in her life. For so long she has been a woman who’s worn many hats. Now she’s ready let go of the business side and focus on creativity.
As for what’s next at 104 Cricket Avenue, only time will tell. Mann says the owner has been showing the property, and she hopes the next iteration of the building will be similar to its current setup in some shape or form.
Ardmore and the Main Line will certainly feel the void left at Cricket Avenue, and Mann will, too.
“I’m definitely gonna miss it,” she says. “All the people and all the musicians and friends. And this town is wonderful. It’ll be sad, but I feel very proud of it.”
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