Why “Dark Dining Room”? Matthew Larsen is a singer/songwriter who started doing these types of shows after going through cancer treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in 2005. Recovery was slow and isolating, so he started inviting musicians over to play their songs in his mostly empty unlit dining room. There was something special about being in a cozy room with a group of other people listeni
ng to live music in the dark. It made everyone focus on the performance and enjoy a shared experience. Since then, Dark Dining Room shows have been held in various houses, lofts, and apartments throughout Western Massachusetts. Past performers include The Low Anthem, Winterpills, Heather Maloney, Rosary Beard, Mark Schwaber, Colorway, David Berkeley, Luray, Kaiser Cartel, Amber Rubarth, Native Run, Will Stratton, Matthew Carefully, Haunt, Andrew Vladeck, Dennis Crommett, Henning Ohlenbusch, and Matthew Larsen and The Documents. As a nod to Matthew’s cancer history, certain shows have been held to raise money for charitable organizations that make a difference in the cancer community. Dark Dining Room has raised money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society, The SAMFund, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Typically, organizations such as these are highlighted in some way at each show. Matthew Larsen and Greg Saulmon coordinate the Dark Dining Room series as well as perform in Matthew Larsen and The Documents.
