What started as an enticing idea in David Avelar II and Pete Pfeil's minds has since turned into one of Hammond's most exciting and esteemed concert venues: the Ghost Light. Last Saturday night, Will Vance and the Kinfolk celebrated the release of their newest album, "Broken Promise Land," receiving the biggest audience turnout of the semester.
The Ghost Light was launched this semester as a test run in hopes of attracting a crowd and achieving financial sustainability. Though there were   initially four scheduled performances, the album release party was the fifth show, signaling the venue's successful establishment.  
Upon hearing of the expedition, I was excited to see people still valued good music and wanted to promote local artists. I've heard a varied collection of genres at Ghost Light from Southern jazz and punk rock to folk music and indie pop. Though not all the styles were my favorite, I appreciate the purpose of the venue founders and the artists. It is a perfect scene for newcomers who have original lyrics and beats looking for an attentive audience. It provides entertainment for community members and a kick-start for rising stars.
Throughout downtown Hammond, live performances are hosted in the Columbia Theatre and local bars and restaurants. In comparison to its competition, the Ghost Light venue stands out as being the most organized, having the best sound quality and employing the most accommodating staff.  From what I've gathered, the attendees are excited about the environment's focus on the music, while artists are always eager to describe the helpfulness of the staff and the overall coordination of each performance. From specialized "Ghost Light" light bulb hand-stamps to helping artists hand and foot, the four-member staff of the new concert venue go above and beyond.
The absence of on-site concessions and alcoholic beverages may be an obstacle as the scene grows. Though people have the option of bringing in their own food and drinks, the show may lose some of its audience as people wander to bars to get drinks and decide to stay. However, such an addition would be a huge step for the venue, and I know the founders are careful about the image they are presenting. Avelar, operations and production technical assistant, explained they would need to hire more people in order to handle such an extension, because they wouldn't want to do it halfway.
Some further ideas for future improvement would be redecoration of the room itself, which despite the flashing lights, maintains a bit of a formal ambiance.
Overall, I'm impressed and excited about the project and how it has been presented. This venue is the only one of its kind in Hammond, providing a safe and fun environment for music-lovers of all ages. Additionally, they have successfully drawn an audience using live music as the sole attraction. I have enjoyed attending the performances, and after watching the venue grow and develop, I'm looking forward to more Ghost Light shows in the fall.