ADA Venue Review, The Intersection, Grand Rapids Michigan

The Intersection is a popular music venue located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a deep history dating back to 1972. It started as a small venue for local musicians and bands, providing a space for emerging talent to perform in an intimate setting. Over the years, The Intersection has grown and evolved into a staple of the Midwest live music scene, attracting both national and international touring acts. In the early 2000s, The Intersection moved to its current location on Grandville Avenue, expanding its capacity and adding multiple performance spaces, including The Stache; a smaller, more intimate room, and Elevation; a mid-sized space. This expansion allowed the venue to host a variety of musical acts across genres such as rock, hip-hop, electronic, country, and metal, while also providing a space for local artists to continue showcasing their talents. Known for its excellent sound quality, energetic atmosphere, and versatile spaces, The Intersection has become a favorite stop for touring bands and a beloved hub for the local music community in Grand Rapids. It remains a vital part of the city's cultural scene, hosting hundreds of concerts and events each year.

However, from my personal experience, I would encourage disabled fans to avoid The Intersection. Not because of their setup or ADA compliance, but because of their staff and how I and the rest of the fans utilizing the "ADA seating" were treated on July 19th, 2024 for the Upheaval After Party featuring As I Lay Dying.

Lets start from the beginning shall we? It all started in 2023 when I came to Grand Rapids for Upheaval Festival. It was my first music festival and first time in a new city. The entire weekend was perfect and both nights I went to the official after party at The Intersection. Both nights I was allowed to use my wheelchair on the elevated platform along the right side of the room. The platform, covered in chairs with handicapped markings on them, stretched the far right side of the room from the stage to the door. It was honestly one of the best ADA platforms I've ever used and I was so excited to go back in 2024. We planned our weekend specifically for visiting The Intersection for both after parties, skipping out on the headliners of the festival. However, 2024 was much different once inside The Intersection. After entering the building and showing my ticket, I asked an employee who was standing on the elevated platform (still covered in the white chairs with handicapped markings) if I was still okay to sit here. He said yes, and I made my way to the same spot as 2023, on the back end of the platform closer to the exit, along the bar (see picture). I got myself situated and ordered a drink and was waiting for the first band to start. This is where things went sideways....

One of their employees, I am assuming a manager or booking agent of some sort approached me and she told me the entire elevated platform, including

the side I was on (you know, the one covered in HANDICAPPED SEATS) was reserved VIP seating and I would need to pay $90 to sit there. I looked at her very confused while pointing out the clear handicapped seats lining the raised platform. Again, I was told I had to pay $90 to be there, so I refused and she led me to their...new handicapped seating? A roped off section in the front, on the main floor, smack dab in the middle of the crowd. Me and the other 6 individuals with wheelchairs and walkers were sitting on the floor being stepped on by patrons, unable to see anything, and would all have to move to allow one person out, causing a huge problem in the crowd which brought extra attention to us. And this is the best part, the entire night for As I Lay Dying, the special "reserved" seating was...get this... EMPTY.

Not 1 person wanted to pay $90, especially not disabled fans who could of used that section. As we sat down there I asked the other fans sitting with me how they felt, and needless to say they were not happy at all and expressed the festival (Upheaval) needs to do better when picking their After Party locations. The venue blatantly took advantage of us (fans of Upheaval) and we collectively agreed that this was our last time at this venue.

This is especially sad because overall the venue is setup fairly well for accessibility. Easy entrance through the side door, large spacious bathrooms, bars are a good height if your sitting, and they have a large spacious elevated platform. Sadly due to their greed and their lack of compassion I would never risk coming here again knowing I may have quite literally the worst seat in the house while the BEST ADA platform I've seen is "reserved for VIP" and empty.

No disrespect to Upheaval, the festival in its self is incredible and I already have tickets for 2025. However as for The Intersection? Yeah, I'm good with that.