The Periscope: music venue with a jazz and experimental focus.
The Periscope has an innovative program of events and live music across many musical genres and offers an alternative to the typical concert venue.
The Periscope Venue History
The Periscope was founded in 2007 at the initiative of two local musicians collectives (Grolektif and Polycarp) and with the University Populaire of Lyon. The result being the association RESEAU whose letters in French stand for “the coming together of energies to preserve a utopian artistic space” and the Periscope is exactly that. The team is led by program director Pierre Dugelay and in 2015 The Periscope joined forces with three other Lyon area music venues under the name “Scène de Musiques Actuelles” to together provide a rich diversity of events :
- Marché Gare in Lyon http://www.marchegare.fr
- L’Epicerie Moderne in Feyzin http://www.epiceriemoderne.com
- Bizarre in Venissieux http://bizarre-venissieux.fr/
What’s On? Alternative music and events
The idea was to create a space that could be considered a sort of laboratory of sound. The live music at The Periscope therefore definitely leans towards jazz and it’s improvisational nature, but not exclusively. There are also rock and experimental influences and beyond.
The Periscope organises about 150 concerts a year and 20 artist residences. There are regular documentary film projections, poetry evenings and workshops all adding to an eclectic and creative mix of musical activities.
Cultural Cafe
Every month (except July and August) The Periscope presents the Cultural Cafe, a series of events dedicated to the discovery of jazz, African-American music and other traditional forms of popular music. Through documentaries, performances and discussions with special guests the public is able to share with the artist their passion for their work.
Cinema
Les Inattendus is a regular evening dedicated to rare and experimental films. The association was formed in 1995 to explore and preserve the diversity which exists in moving images by screening independent films that perhaps didn’t find their way into the mainstream. There is also the Pichenettes Cinema Club which on one Monday every month screens old rare and classic films that are now in the public domain.
For Kids
The Periscope organises numerous events designed to appeal to young children of all ages. Combining music with educational and entertaining activities.
Practical information
Doors open at 20h30 and concerts begin at 21h15.
The Periscope bar is open at 18h during the week and 19h on Saturdays.
