KC performer wants to buy historic venue to empower artists. But he needs help
For nearly a century, the building at 1750 Belleview Ave. has served as a gathering place for Kansas City’s Black community. Built in 1927 as Greenwood Baptist Church, the structure has hosted worship services, community meetings, musical performances and cultural events through multiple generations.
Now, local harpist and songwriter Calvin Arsenia is working to ensure that legacy continues.
Arsenia, who has operated Greenwood Social Hall since December 2023, is raising funds to purchase the building before a July 30 closing deadline. He is currently under contract to acquire the property for $725,000 after being approached by the owner’s real estate agent last year when the current ownership group decided to sell part of its portfolio.
“I performed there the first time in June of 2017, my first solo recorded concert,” Arsenia said. “I recorded a live album called ‘Live at Greenwood Social Hall,’ and that was actually the performance that got me signed to a local record label.”
For Arsenia, the effort is about more than real estate. It is about preserving a space that has become one of Kansas City’s most active artist-led venues and protecting its future as a home for creative expression.
Historic venue looks for revival
The building’s history stretches back nearly 100 years. Constructed by Black architect and builder W.T. Thomas, the first floor was completed in 1927, with the second story added in 1945. Greenwood Baptist Church remained active in the building until approximately 2016 before the congregation relocated.
Arsenia was first introduced to the venue in 2017 when artist Peregrine Honig invited him to perform there. Years later, when Honig and percussionist Mike Dillon decided to step away from the project, Arsenia was asked whether he would be interested in taking over the lease.
“Without much hesitation, although there was a little because I knew that there was going to be quite an involved project, I said yes,” he said.
Since Arsenia took over operations, Greenwood Social Hall has evolved into a busy cultural hub. The 2,400-square-foot venue hosts concerts, theater productions, dance performances, weddings, funerals, film screenings, workshops and community gatherings. According to Arsenia, more than 300 events have taken place there since late 2023.
The venue has also become a platform for artists who often struggle to find spaces designed for intimate performances and attentive audiences.
Arsenia said many musicians, particularly those working in acoustic, classical and jazz genres, are frequently asked to perform in venues where conversation and other distractions compete with the performance itself. Greenwood was created as an alternative.
“My vision is to continue the legacy of moments of transcendence through music and storytelling in the intimate space that is Greenwood Social Hall,” he said. “When mutual respect and dignity are offered, we find love and we find empathy and we find collaborations and we find understanding with one another.”
The programming reflects that philosophy. Recent events have included the autobiographical play “1309” by trans artist Mazzy Mann, family-friendly Music on the Move concerts supported by the Live Music Society, community dances, educational workshops and performances by local and touring musicians.
The volume of activity has convinced Arsenia that demand for small-scale cultural venues remains strong.
“I think it’s very apparent that the community needs more spaces that are of this size and accessibility,” he said. “There’s been no slowing down of inquiries from artists and creatives that need a space to tell their story.”
‘I do see the support’
The purchase effort gained momentum after the owner expressed interest in selling the property. While Arsenia secured financing for the mortgage itself, he still needed to raise funds for the down payment and acquisition costs.
As of his interview with The Star, the campaign had raised nearly 60% of its fundraising goal for the down payment.
The effort marks the largest fundraising campaign Arsenia has undertaken since a successful 2019 campaign that helped him purchase a professional concert harp. This time, however, he says the future of a community space is at stake.
“If I had it my way, no one would ever know that this was happening,” he said. “But I do see the need and I do see the support. I do believe that I live in a Kansas City that wants this to be here.”
Community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, he said, with supporters expressing excitement about both the building’s future and the possibility of returning the historic property to Black ownership.
“I think people mostly want to see the building back in Black ownership,” Arsenia said. “There’s a lot of people who want to see venues run by artists because we understand a different perspective. We don’t prioritize profit over people.”
While ownership would bring new responsibilities, Arsenia said he is not envisioning dramatic changes to the building itself. Instead, his focus is on maintaining the property, improving accessibility and preserving the character that has made Greenwood Social Hall unique.
Among the projects he hopes to pursue is installing a chair lift to improve accessibility to the second-floor venue.
Beyond that, he wants the building to continue serving the purpose for which it has been used throughout much of its history: bringing people together.
The building will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Aug. 7, 2027. Arsenia hopes the milestone will include a yearlong series of events highlighting Black architects, builders, scientists and artists whose contributions helped shape communities across the country.
For now, however, the focus remains on reaching the finish line before the July 30 closing date.
“I feel excited and honored to be a part of this building’s legacy in this way,” Arsenia said. “I believe that this is going to take place.”
