LIVE at LEONA’s 'Rewards Curiosity' With New Events For Locals
dual pizzeria-venue welcomes outdoor patio, summer music lineup
The collective enjoyment of a meal, live musical performances, and the simple act of gathering in a shared space all contribute to a stronger sense of belonging and local pride within the Eau Claire community.
As area restaurants and bars plan their summer entertainment lineups, Leona's Pizzeria continues its efforts to embed a unique variety of live music into the scene.
Leona's Pizzeria (406 Galloway St., Eau Claire), a community hub for all ages known for its specialty pies, has expanded its offerings to include live music and events. With aims to further enhance the welcoming and home-like atmosphere, the venue — coined LIVE at LEONA’s — resides next door to the joint pizzeria and bar.
Beyond a (literal) curtain in the pizzeria lies their dimly-lit music venue. The intimate space – which has a 99-person capacity – features a small-scale stage facing an open dance floor, with additional seating options including high-top bar tables and vintage-style couches — building a comfortable, lived-in atmosphere.
Jakob and Brittany Paulsrud, co-owners of Leona's Pizzeria, have continued the pizzeria’s eclectic decorations into the venue side with a collection of box televisions that display nostalgic and vintage films on VHS tapes.
These imaginative displays embody the dreams and wishes for the event space as it evolves, they said.
"Being artists ourselves and then employing artists, we feel (the venue is) an open invitation to our community," the co-owners said. "We want people to look to Leona’s as a third space, somewhere you aren’t going to be judged but encouraged to be weird and imaginative and then to have space for that to thrive."
LIVE at LEONA's has welcomed musicians — and fan bases of all genres and sizes — from near and far, furthering their mission to appeal toward many genres and communities.
Jordan Duroe, LIVE at LEONA’s event organizer, described the venue as an open environment, where listeners can dabble within a number of different music scenes.
“Our intention with the venue is to both encourage and reward curiosity by offering a variety of musical styles and genres,” Duroe said. “(We’re) dipping our toes in experimental waters, but also bringing traditional folk music, indie rock that we know our Eau Claire (listeners) like and enjoy.”
The inaugural LIVE at LEONA's show took place on Friday, March 7, featuring Chris Acker, a national touring artist from New Orleans. Acker performed tracks from their recently released album, Famous Lunch. Opening for Acker were Twin Cities-based musician Jack Klatt and Eau Claire up-and-comer Luke Callen, both influenced by folk and country themes.
Gracing the stage — adorned with fairy lights and second-hand rug tapestries — since March have included national touring act Shower Curtain, new western ensembles such as The Golden Band, and family-oriented improvisational shows featuring The Nunnery and Ryan Davis.
We want people to look to Leona's as a third space, somewhere you aren't going to be judged but encouraged to be weird and imaginative, and then to have space for that to thrive. –Brittany & Jakob Paulsrud, Leona's Pizzeria owners
Nettie Johnson, a barista and resident of Eau Claire, has attended many LIVE at LEONA’s events since the venue opened. Leona’s warm, Midwestern aesthetic — in addition to the consistency of live music both on weekdays and weekends — has affirmed their desire to bring people together through music and dance, Johnson said.
“It’s fun to dance with brave and kind people,” they said. “I love that my money and my love is going to the people around me. I keep coming back to Leona’s because it’s a beautiful place for beautiful people to gather.”
Our intention with the venue is to both encourage and reward curiosity by offering a variety of musical styles and genres. - Jordan Duroe, LIVE at LEONA's event organizer
The venue’s first artist market was held on Saturday, April 19, and featured local artists with connections to the tight-knit Leona’s community. Merfolk, Kalcifer Norton, The Odd House, and Cranky Creature Couture were just a few of the makers based in Eau Claire and La Crosse who participated.
Leona’s Pizzeria recently welcomed another facet to the restaurant and music venue: its outdoor patio, offering seating and space at the back of the dual establishment on Galloway Street. Since early May, the patio has been open for lunch and dinner services; the additional space can offer increased guest capacity for upcoming events in the summertime, Duroe noted.
“Now we have this whole other side of the business for people to enjoy — it's really exciting,” Duroe said. “The enjoyment (will) grow with the space becoming more finished and (our team) having a better idea of what we want to do out there in terms of events and programming.”
LIVE at LEONA’s summertime dreams, to enjoy live music surrounded by the outdoors and good company, will soon be realized. The music venue recently announced their kickoff to summer shows with an Amniotics reunion — 20 years in the making — on Saturday, May 31.
Following a high-energy punk show, the venue will host Humbird’s electric and playful melodies — with local guest artist, Lanue — on June 5.
Leona’s Pizzeria will have a two-week closure from June 26 to July 8 before its official grand opening celebration, Duroe shared with Volume One. This special event will showcase a diverse array of Midwest musicians and performers, drawn from Leona's personal network of friends and collaborators.
“I want (LIVE at LEONA’s) to be a boost to the local scene while also being a home for great touring artists when they come through the region,” he noted.
Beyond the musical performances, attendees can look forward to new specialty menu offerings, likely featuring creations that pay homage to Leona's traditional pizza fare.
The grand opening will be a celebration of community, music, and the spirit of this local establishment — guaranteeing a memorable time for all who attend, Duroe said.
With only a few months under their belts at the Galloway Street location, the owners of Leona's look toward continued growth — while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere — where all walks of life feel comfortable and valued.
“Along with some of our other downtown neighbors we strive to be as inclusive as possible for all genders, identities, and sobriety journeys,” the co-owners said. “We hope to continue growing and learning for many more years about what this space will become.”
Leona's Pizzeria is located at 406 Galloway St., Eau Claire • Announcements for upcoming performances and other events through LIVE at LEONA’s can be found through their growing social media presence online (@liveatleonas) • For musical groups interested in performing at the Leona’s Pizzeria venue, contact Jordan Duroe at jordan@liveatleonas.com