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, May 29, 2026

at 6:00pm

in the chapel at

1832 W. Dean Ave., Spokane, WA

West Central Abbey

This month, we’ll be exploring the world of country music from what may be an unexpected entry point…Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter (2024), an album that celebrates the past and present contributions of Black women to country music.

This album received a great deal of critical acclaim and made Beyonce the first Black woman with a Billboard #1 song on the country chart, and also the first Black woman to win a Grammy for Album of the Year in country. However, not all country fans were as enthusiastic. At the CMA awards, the album received no nominations in any category.

So, in addition to hearing the deluxe version of this album, we’ll be wrestling with some tough questions. What exactly is country music? Who is it for, and who gets to make it? Is Cowboy Carter a country album? And in what ways might it challenge our preconceptions about the genre?

This album comes with a mild content warning. The songs deal with adult themes and contain occasional swear words. If this were a movie, it would probably be rated PG-13. Our discussions will delve into issues of race and gender. If this feels inappropriate for you or your family, please use discrecion.

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 a part of the Abbey community to attend. No one will pressure you to join anything. We love our church, but this isn’t an event where we’ll try to sell you on it. 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.

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 high-end 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 those who are interested in the hobby, here is a list of some of the equipment we use in our current setup.

  • 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