By: Shane Bagot, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
GLASSBORO, N.J. – South Jersey is home to a variety of music and different styles. This is most represented in the underground venues scattered around. Glassboro’s Citadel music venue spearheads it. It is one of the most popular basement venues in South Jersey. They provide good service, music, and the perfect energy for people looking to enter the scene.
Owner Emery Whitescarver had been itching at the idea of starting a house venue months before even acquiring the house in his freshman year at Rowan University. Whitescarver, along with other housemates Matthew Farmer and Frankie Luvara, were huge fans of the scene and wanted to do their own thing.
That would not come without their ultimate goal of it being about the people and community first.
“The goal was always to just bring out the best in everybody and have a good time,” Whitescarver said. “I think music is a good excuse to do that. It doesn’t really feel like it’s primarily about the music. It feels like it’s first about the people.”
The motivation to have the people come first is seen in how they set up and run their shows. When not asking bands straight up to play, they will go to the fans to recommend who they wanna see for the next shows. Whitescarver’s girlfriend and venue supporter, Emmi Rayne, goes with the customers are always right approach
“I think it’s not what we want, it’s about what the people want,” Rayne said. “Giving them exactly what they want will result in the best.”
This goes towards the operation as well. Feeling more like a family above anything else. Everyone has their role in the family to make sure it is a good time for all. That extends to the other venues, too.
They are good friends with neighboring venues like The Bramble, which try to provide the same high-energy shows for the community. They all have the same goal for the community and want to help each other out. The Citadel is even allowing other venues to use their house for shows. The love is felt with the bands coming to play as well.
“There’s always like a whole ocean of bands in our Instagram dm’s that want to play because they love the community. They love this space and I think they love the scene too,” said Whitescraver.
Unfortunately, this year will be the last year as the Citadel family will be graduating from Rowan University. It does not mean they don’t have plans to leave a legacy behind. They want to team up with the Art scene for shows. Additionally, planning fan favorite themes like hippie and emo night, Halloween, and Prom. The themes are a huge part of the operation and feeding the community’s excitement.
“I just love encouraging people to go above and beyond, like painting themselves green for Alien Night. Wear an entire wedding dress,” Rayne said. “We like to have fun with it and encourage people to put passion into everything they do.”
One thing the Citadel has encouraged and inspired people to do is start their venues for the South Jersey scene. They look forward to passing down their tips for how to run one successfully. Ultimately, they hope that the newcomers get to experience the same things they did coming up in the scene.
“I’ve literally met all of my best friends through this scene. It’s been life-changing… I hope everybody can have that same experience and just meet the coolest people ever, because music just does bring people together in such a beautiful, wholesome way. That’s my dream for the South Jersey scene,” said Whitescarver.
To find out more about what’s happening at the Citadel, check out their Instagram here.
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