Seth Hurwitz, chairman of I.M.P. and owner of Washington D.C.'s iconic 9:30 Club, announced the release of a significantly expanded edition of the venue's coffee table book "9:30 - a Time and a Place" to commemorate the club's 45th anniversary. The reissued edition adds more than 100 new pages to the previously sold-out publication, including comprehensive coverage of I.M.P.'s newest venue, The Atlantis.
The expanded book is now available for purchase at the 9:30 Club's box office during business hours, at the venue's merchandise booth during shows, or online at merch.930.com. Fans can also add the book to concert ticket purchases for an additional fee. Members of I.M.P.'s free loyalty program, Friends with Benefits, qualify for free shipping on online orders.
New Content Highlights The Atlantis Opening
The most substantial addition to the anniversary edition documents The Atlantis, a 450-capacity venue that opened on May 30, 2023, located at 2047 9th Street NW, directly adjacent to the current 9:30 Club. Designed as a near replica of the original 9:30 Club that operated on F Street from 1980 to 1996, The Atlantis was created to recapture the intimate atmosphere of the legendary venue's early years.
The book features exclusive coverage of The Atlantis grand opening series, which consisted of 44 specially curated shows featuring artists integral to the 9:30 Club's history. The performances, which ran from May through the following months, included headline acts such as Foo Fighters, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Joan Jett, Jeff Tweedy, Tove Lo, Gary Clark Jr., Maggie Rogers, and The Pretenders.
"These new pages reveal exclusive artist notes as well as 44 photos of that grand opening series - 41 by famed concert photographer Jim Saah, and three by photojournalist Ben Eisendrath," according to the announcement. The demand for these intimate performances was extraordinary, with 520,000 ticket requests submitted for only 20,000 available tickets across all 44 shows.
Complete Show Listings Added by Popular Demand
Responding to frequent requests from fans and music historians, the expanded edition includes a complete chronological listing of every show ever performed at the 9:30 Club. This comprehensive database spans the venue's entire 45-year history, from its original F Street location through its current home at 815 V Street NW, where it relocated in 1996.
The show listings represent a significant addition for researchers and fans who have long sought a definitive record of the venue's programming. The 9:30 Club has earned recognition as the most attended club of its size globally, hosting an estimated 20,000+ events throughout its history, featuring everyone from emerging local acts to internationally renowned artists.
Memorial Section Honors Venue's Legacy
The new edition includes a memorial tribute to Shawn "Gus" Vitale, the 9:30 Club's longtime lead sound engineer who became a beloved figure in the D.C. music community. The tribute, written by Ian MacKaye of Fugazi and Dischord Records, reflects the venue's deep connections to the local music scene and the dedicated staff who helped shape its identity.
The book features contributions from numerous music industry figures, including Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Shirley Manson (Garbage), Keanu Reeves (Dogstar), Sarah McLachlan, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), HR Hudson (Bad Brains), Chuck D (Public Enemy), and the club's co-owners Seth Hurwitz and Rich Heinecke.
Industry Recognition and Cultural Impact
The 9:30 Club's significance extends beyond its local impact, having earned multiple Top Club awards from Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Pollstar. The venue has hosted performances by legendary artists including Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, Al Green, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Chuck Berry, and James Brown, alongside contemporary stars like Adele, Billie Eilish, Green Day, Kendrick Lamar, and Radiohead.
The book's curator, Roger Gastman—an art dealer, filmmaker, and publisher specializing in graffiti and street art—emphasized the continued demand for the original edition. "Of the 100+ books I've made, the 9:30 Club book is the one I get asked about the most. Everyone wanted it long after it sold out," Gastman said. "Being able to breathe new life into it, adding a ton of new pages and images to the classic content, got me just as excited as I always felt going to the club."
Historical Context and Business Evolution
Hurwitz's involvement with the 9:30 Club began in 1981 when his company I.M.P. booked The Fleshtones as its first act at the venue. After developing a working relationship with original owners Dody DiSanto and Jon Bowers, Hurwitz and his business partner acquired the financially struggling but culturally significant club in 1987.
The venue's 1996 relocation from its original 200-capacity space to the current 1,200-capacity location allowed for growth while maintaining the intimate connection between artists and audiences that defined its reputation. The opening of The Atlantis in 2023 represents a return to the original venue's smaller scale while incorporating modern amenities and production capabilities.
Availability and Distribution
The expanded "9:30 - a Time and a Place" is available through multiple channels to accommodate different fan preferences. Beyond direct purchase at the venue, the book can be ordered online with shipping options, or added to concert ticket purchases for convenience. The pricing structure aims to make the publication accessible while supporting the venue's continued operations and cultural programming.
For media inquiries about the book or The Atlantis, contact information is available through Audrey Fix Schaefer at audrey@930.com. The expanded edition represents both a celebration of the venue's 45-year legacy and documentation of its ongoing evolution in Washington D.C.'s music landscape.
