Sixth & I previews a new 'Downstairs' music venue, featuring a bar

If you've managed to get tickets to Yeasayer or the XX or Joanna Newsom at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, you know that the concerts in the worship hall are special but formal affairs: The audience is seated, drinking isn't allowed, and the crowd is really, exceedingly polite.

This week, the Sixth & I is soft-launching a new venue in the synagogue's basement that will be more reminiscent of a traditional club: The 200-capacity space, unlike the main hall, will have a cash bar (with beer and wine running $4 to $5, and mini-knishes for snacking). And it will be mostly standing-room. The space, where exhibitions are now held, will be dubbed Downstairs and will be a place to hear rising touring musicians, comedians and spoken word. The first show this Saturday will bring in Colorado folk singer Gregory Alan Isakov, who has more than a little in common with Whiskeytown and Josh Ritter.

After Saturday's show, the venue will go dark till after summer; expect to see more events in the space around the end of September.