Felicite Moorman, co-owner of The Fallser Club, has a specific pop culture analogy to describe how it feels when you walk into her nonprofit event space and music venue in East Falls.

“In ‘Doctor Who’ there’s this time machine,” Moorman explained in an interview with the Local. “And every time somebody steps in, they say it’s bigger on the inside.”

Similarly, according to Moorman, when somebody steps into The Fallser Club, they are usually taken aback.

“You can feel a sense of history, but also this incredible openness,” Moorman said. “The place just has a feeling to it and that’s something that’s hard to translate into words, but it’s pretty profound.”

Moorman is eager to share this indescribable sensation with as many people as possible on Oct. 18, when two events coincide around the club’s third anniversary: East Falls Fest and Philly Music Fest.

A storied history

The history of The Fallser Club goes back to the silent film era. The building at 3721 Midvale Ave. operated as a theater from 1914 to 1939. After a long run as a grocery store, the space became home to a couple of technology startups, including a company founded by the entrepreneur duo Moorman and Ryan Buchert.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the pair’s employees switched to working from home, the historic structure was suddenly empty. Rather than letting the building become apartments, Moorman and Buchert began brainstorming ways to fundraise and save the property.

Along with their friend Garry Lee, now the club’s music director, they came up with the idea of putting on a show. Before long, The Fallser Club opened its doors in 2022. Although it was once full of roughly 100 desks for software developers, the 5,000-square-foot space now boasts seating, cocktail tables, a den lounge with couches, and an open bar area.

The hard work on renovating the space paid off. Philadelphia Magazine named The Fallser Club the “Best Intimate Music Venue” in the city this year.

“This cozy, 200-person club may be a nonprofit, but the production values are what you’d find at some of the bigger for-profit clubs,” the magazine wrote.

Moorman was pleasantly surprised to see her venue win such an award.

“We certainly aren’t seeking recognition, we’re seeking relationships,” Moorman said.

Bringing people together

According to Moorman, The Fallser Club has been mission-driven from the very beginning. The club was founded in hopes of not just bringing music to the community, but also fostering connection and growing awareness for social issues. For example, the first fundraiser held by The Fallser Club raised more than $20,000 for Ukraine.

Ashana Larsen, who is going on her second year as The Fallser Club’s executive director, said the main part of her role is bringing people together.

“A big portion of what I try to do as executive director is really celebrate diversity and connection,” Larsen said. “We’re in a time in this country where there’s a lot of division, and I think live music can be a connector for many people. When you sit in the same room as other people, enjoying live music, it becomes a common bond. It’s hard to ‘other’ people when you’re sitting next to them and moving to the same beat.”

As part of the club’s activism, Larsen said the team is currently fundraising to build an incubator kitchen. This space would assist people who are looking to start a small business but don’t have the financial means to build their own commercial kitchen.

The trifecta

Celebrating The Fallser Club’s third anniversary, East Falls Fest, and Philly Music Fest, all on Oct. 18, will be — as Moorman describes it — a “trifecta of awesome.”

Starting at 11:00 a.m., the East Falls Development Corp. is hosting East Falls Fest, complete with plenty of vendors, food trucks, and family fun. The live music proponent will be set up directly in front of The Fallser Club, but attendees are also invited to come inside and explore with an open house, food and drinks, a scavenger hunt, and a photo booth.

The lineup for East Falls Fest is full of Philadelphia-based artists, including Rawk U School of Music, Kikashima, and the headliner band, Roberta Faceplant. Frontwoman Katie Feeney said she is excited to perform.

“I’m super grateful for The Fallser Club and for the opportunity to spread the word about our music and share the stage with some awesome friends,” Feeney said. “I like when the Philly music community comes together in this way. When we all get together and work together, it can be a really beautiful and powerful thing.”

At 7 p.m., Philly Music Fest will take over the programming with local artists such as Catie Turner, Chioke, and Sadie Gust. This is the first year The Fallser Club is involved in Philly Music Fest and Moorman looks forward to honoring the city she loves.

“I am a transplant to Philadelphia, and I think it’s worth mentioning that this city and the neighborhood of East Falls certainly … welcomed me with open arms,” Moorman said. “I’m so proud to bring this venue to Philadelphia. … It’s a great way to give back to the city that I am completely enamored with.”

Learn more at thefallserclub.com.

Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.