Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Jochum
Hi Emma, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I got my first club job when I was 19 years old at Peabodys, then later hopped over to The Foundry where I got my foot in the door booking bands. I was throwing DIY shows at my record shop on the side but eventually wanted something bigger, when I found out Now That’s Class was for sale. My business partner and I took over in March of 2022 and changed the name to No Class.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our biggest struggle was fixing up the building which was left in disrepair over the years. Old plumbing, damaged equipment, not to mention power outages and tornados… it’s been a wild ride.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I handle most of the booking and administrative work at No Class, and we pride ourselves on the variety of our programming here. For many years this bar was known as “the punk bar”. We book anything and everything, from metal to drag, punk to hip hop, dance parties to flea markets, fundraisers of all sorts. In 2024 we raised thousands of dollars for Palestine Legal, TransOhio, Preterm, Planned Parenthood, and many local mutual aid requests. We often collaborate with other venues in town, and think working together is important rather than competing. I think the Cleveland music scene is unique in that sense. We’ve previously been voted best metal bar by Scene Magazine, as well as placing top 3 for best gay bar, best EDM bar, and a few other categories.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Covid was extremely taxing on music venues all over the country. We’ve seen improvement in the last couple of years and hope attendance continues to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.noclasscle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noclasscle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noclasscle
- Twitter: https://x.com/no_class_cle
