In a city known for Red Rocks pilgrimages and rowdy arena shows, something quietly special is happening. Inside The Savoy, a Victorian-era venue in Curtis Park with space for only about 130 people, the Music Appreciation Society—better known as MAS Presents—is making live music personal again.
“While the city is known for its high-energy venues, there is a growing appreciation for spaces that offer a more immersive and comfortable listening experience,” says founder David Spira. “At our dedicated listening lounge experience at The Savoy, music lovers enjoy clear sound, comfortable seating, and a truly engaging atmosphere.”
Founded in 2015 and relaunched in early 2024 after a pandemic hiatus, MAS Presents offers intimate performances designed to foster a deeper connection between artists and audiences. These evenings begin with a cocktail in hand during the 7–8 p.m. happy hour and end with the kind of show you’ll talk about for weeks. First-come, first-served seating facilitates serendipitous meetings with fellow music lovers and future friends.
MAS has already drawn a roster of standout talent in its first year back. Highlights from the 2024 season include David Amram, the legendary 94-year-old first composer-in-residence for the New York Philharmonic; two-time Grammy-winning bluesman Chris Thomas King; and avant-rock duo Arc Iris.
This spring, MAS will continue that momentum with a lineup that kicks off on May 15 with Kaleta and Super Yamba Band playing a fusion of Afrobeat, funk, and traditional West African rhythms and Camila Meza, a Chilean guitarist and singer blending her South American roots with modern jazz. Looking further ahead, Canadian rock star Ariel Posen, world-renowned Iraqi oud player and composer Rahim AlHaj, and virtuoso guitarist Marisa Anderson will be headlining.
The Savoy’s Old World charm and exceptional acoustics make it the perfect backdrop for MAS’s mission of musical connection. And with a lineup that Spira calls “proudly genreagnostic,” MAS is carving out a space where it feels like the band is playing just for you.
