Vinyl Lounge is a free community event that’s all about discovering and sharing music through vinyl records.

Bring your open ears and open mind, and be ready for a moving experience, whether it’s exploring something new or re-discovering an old favorite.

The music you’ll hear at Vinyl Lounge is always on vinyl record, with an all analog signal path. No USB, no Bluetooth, no streaming. Our stereo equipment is carefully set up to bring out the details in the music. Many attendees find themselves hearing new things in familiar recordings and connecting with the music on a deeper level.

Most of our events center around intentional, focused listening. We listen to albums in their entirety, with opportunities for discussion and sharing during side changes. Some attendees find it helpful to bring a quiet activity to do while listening. We also have fidgets available.

Our album selections are very diverse and include rock, jazz, hip-hop, metal, EDM, showtunes and film scores…nothing is off limits. Scroll down to check out what’s coming up next.

The next Vinyl Lounge is

Friday, July 31, 2026

at 6:00pm

in the chapel at

1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane, WA

West Central Abbey

When two members of the hip hop group Gorillaz lost their fathers within weeks of each other, they traveled to India to process the loss and connect with the spirituality there. During that process, they ended up falling in love with the culture and the music there. This album is the result of that journey. It’s a meditation on grief, loss and the afterlife. It’s also an exploration of the sounds of India. You’ll hear contributions from numerous Indian singers and instrumentalists. In addition to English, you’ll hear Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, and Yoruba. Gorillaz also went through their archive and have incorporated several posthumous performances from past collaborators, so even though this is a new release, you’ll hear voices of those who have passed on.

This might sound like a depressing experience, but the album is quite the opposite. Despite the subject matter, it’s also a beautiful and uplifting affirmation of life and humanity.

Also, as part of your Vinyl Lounge experience, we will provide lyrics, with English translations whenever applicable, and a wealth of background information to help you get the most from this music. If you’re new to this record, we’ll do all we can to ease you into it, and if you’re already familiar, we hope to open up new insights and allow you to hear details you might have missed.

This album comes with a mild content warning. The music deals with mature themes and we’ll be talking about the death of parents. Some of the songs contain occasional mild swear words. If this were a movie, it would probably be rated PG. If this feels inappropriate for you or your family, please use discretion.

more about Vinyl Lounge

What to expect

Our listening sessions typically begin with an introduction to give background and context for the music you’re about to hear. You’ll also receive a pamphlet with track listings, liner notes, and more. Seating is in church pews, and we also have cushions if you’d like to sit on the floor. It’s okay to bring your own chair or cushion if that’s more comfortable. It’s okay to bring food and drinks, and sometimes free snacks will be available. Occasionally, we’ll offer an activity to help you engage with the music, but most of the time, how you interact with it is up to you. You can just sit and listen, but it’s also okay to get up and walk around, or to bring a quiet activity to engage in while listening. Some people bring books, journals, crafts or hobbies. We just ask you to be respectful of those who are focused on listening. We have fidgets, earmuffs, and other sensory items available. There will be multiple opportunities during the event (usually during record changes) for discussion and sharing our experiences with the music. Events last about 2-3 hours.

How much does it cost?

Vinyl Lounge is free, and all are welcome. You don’t need to register or have a ticket. You can just show up. We won’t ask for donations or gratuities and won’t be selling anything at the event. You do not have to be a part of the West Central Abbey community to participate.

Can I bring my whole family?

Children are absolutely welcome at Vinyl Lounge. However, while some of our events are specifically geared toward families with children, many of our events may not be able to meet their needs. There is usually an expectation that attendees will be able to quietly enjoy the music without excessive distraction. Some of the music we play contains mature or explicit content that might not be suitable for a younger audience. We recommend reviewing the event selections ahead of time in order to make the best decision for your family.

This is at a church? Is this a religious event?

Vinyl Lounge is facilitated and hosted by the community of West Central Abbey, which is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, but this is not a “church” event as most people understand it. You don’t need to be part of the Abbey community to attend. No one will pressure you to join anything. Whatever your beliefs, you are welcome at Vinyl Lounge. So why have it in a church? For one thing, the space is truly beautiful. It’s one of the oldest churches in Spokane, with gothic architecture and stained glass windows. The acoustics are great, and we think listening to music in a sacred space adds something unique to the experience. Even if you’re not a religious person, you might just find yourself having a spiritual experience hearing artists like Chappell Roan, Kendrick Lamar or Metallica on vinyl in a church space. Additionally, creativity and curiosity are a big part of our culture at the Abbey, so this event fits in well with the work we do in the community.

about our curator

When I was in kindergarten, what I wanted most for my birthday was a Sesame Street record so I could hear my favorite songs whenever I wanted. That record, which I still own and play, sparked a lifelong love of recorded music.

I love digital and streaming, but I’ve always found something special in vinyl. To me, the sound feels lush and beautiful…more real and human because of its limitations.

I love how the mechanical process of playing vinyl encourages focusing on the music. I love the large, tactile album art and holding liner notes and lyric sheets while listening. I love how vinyl encourages experiencing albums in their entirety. Because records are expensive and hard to store, I have to make choices about which records to buy…I love the process of choosing which albums are worth owning on vinyl.

Most of all, I love the experience of sharing music with friends. I love discovering something new and turning someone else onto it. And I love it when someone turns me on to their discoveries. I love gathering around a turntable and seeing how others react to the music…even if they don’t like it. And I love the deep and surprising discussions that come from experiencing music together.

I’m lucky that part of my life is making music with friends at West Central Abbey. And I’m excited that part of my Abbey life is sharing music at Vinyl Lounge.

I hope you’ll join us.

Tim Martin

Music Steward, West Central Abbey

Curator, Vinyl Lounge

more about the stereo

We started this event to share our love of hi-fi with our community. If you love music, but don’t have the time, money and space for a stereo system, Vinyl Lounge is a great way to experience hi-fi without needing to own the equipment…and to share the experience with others who love music just as much.

We love it when people attend having never heard a vinyl record, or having never heard one on a hi-fi system. The music comes alive and is suddenly more detailed, more visceral, more exciting.

We also love it when other hobbyists attend and share their experiences with their own stereos. For hobbyists interested in stereo gear, here is what we are currently using:

  • Paradigm Premiere 800F speakers

  • VPI Scoutmaster belt-driven turntable

  • JMW Memorial unipivot tonearm

  • Dynavector 10×5 moving coil cartridge

  • PS Audio GCPH phono preamplifier

  • Emotiva PT1 preamplifier

  • Emotiva A2 class AB amplifier

  • Kimber and Blue Jeans cables