Erected in the height of Logan Square's rise to the "Emerald Necklace" of the city status, when the tree was just as important as the brick, the Stan Mansion is a garden-gated, 20,000-square-foot castle, built in 1921 to house Masonic meetings for the rich and powerful associated with the new order of the Knights Templar.

Over the decades it's seen a couple re-purposings, even an actual home at one point, and is now owned by entrepreneur Cera Stan, who was quick to offer the elegance to any avenue she could. Weddings and banquets were first in line, taking advantage of two auditoriums and stages. Then came fitness and martial arts classes. Really, anybody can rent out the space for anything.

Which is why the Empty Bottle booking team has now added it to its fleet of alternative venues, paired perfectly with the parachute-shrouded loft of the AV-Aerie and the Epiphany Church. Shows are usually dry, per the mostly all-ages ticket, but it comes with the historic territory. And it's not every day you can strut in the ballroom of an old mansion to the latest in indie buzz.

Centerstage Reviewer: Gavin Paul