COUPLAND — Toes will keep tapping and the music will keep flowing after an announcement this past week the Old Copeland Inn and Dancehall has new owners.
Haute Spot, a music-event venue out of Cedar Park, and Lightstream Presents plan to hold a grand reopening 6 p.m. Nov. 7 with Aaron Watson as the headliner.
The acquisition puts to rest speculation the fabled entertainment spot, 101 Hoxie St., might be shuttering after a deal to have the city take it over did not materialize.
Lightstream Presents produces and organizes livemusic events and handles “
(The acquisition marks) the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the storied history of this iconic Texas landmark.”
— new owners of Coupland Dancehall concert services, such as talent bookings and marketing.
The businesses have joined together in what representatives are calling a “strategic partnership” to keep the dance hall doors open, the music playing and the drinks pouring.
As the site changes ownership, it will temporarily close Sunday, Oct. 12, through Nov. 6.
According to a news release issued by the new proprietors, the reopening of the Coupland Dancehall “(marks) the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the storied history of this iconic Texas landmark.”
The official announcement of the deal also ends the whiplash the last few months have given fans of the century-old institution.
Former dance hall owner Abbey Road spent several months earlier this year in negotiations with the city to donate the Coupland Dancehall to the community.
It was a move Mayor Russell Schmidt endorsed to “keep the history and maintain the integrity of the building,” he said.
The donation to Coupland fell through, leaving Schmidt frustrated, but he noted if the deal had materialized, city regulations would have prohibited the sale of alcohol.
Another post in August indicated the dance hall might be donated to Foundation Stone Wellness, a mental health and addiction rehabilitation center with a residential facility in Elgin.
Road said the foundation never planned to use the site for patients in recovery.
“It was never going to be a rehab facility. The nonprofit was going to use it for annual fundraisers and then let the community use it,” Road said.
In an earlier interview with the Taylor Press, Road said her reasons for selling included the cost of doing business, changes in the music industry and in the economy.
According to a prepared statement, Lightstream has been instrumental in establishing Haute Spot as one of the region’s foremost live music destinations.
Through Lightstream’s collaboration with Haute Spot, the Coupland Dancehall will now benefit from the companies’ industry relationships and livemusic experiences, officials said.
Over the years, the dance hall has hosted a number of Texas music legends including Willie Nelson, Charlie Robison and Asleep at the Wheel.
Tickets for the grand reopening are available for purchase at etix.com/ ticket/p/58538798/ aaron-watson-austincoupland- dancehall.
A sign outside of the Old Coupland Inn and Dancehall welcomes visitors. New owners are keeping the doors open, according to an announcement this past week. Photo by Emily Treadway
