Boston’s “Talent Buyer of the Year” is on the move. Alex Pickert has started a new position as in-house talent buyer for the Crystal Ballroom, a 500-capacity venue above the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.
Pickert joins the Crystal Ballroom after years of booking performances for ONCE Somerville, both at its previous Highland Avenue location and at the Boynton Yards outdoor space this past summer. He also just nabbed the title of “Talent Buyer of the Year” at the 2021 Boston Music Awards last week (December 8).
“I’m unbelievably thrilled to be able to be a part of this team, which includes a bunch faces you might remember from ONCE Somerville and Oberon, both venues that closed due to COVID-19 last year,” Pickert tells Vanyaland. “This room is stunning and I can’t wait for everyone to get to come to a show here and see how awesome it is!”
The Crystal Ballroom opened in October, following months of renovations to prepare the second-story space for both seated and standing-room-only performances. Prior to 2021, the room contained two additional movie screens as part of the Somerville Theatre. The space’s transition — spearheaded by Somerville Theatre’s creative director Ian Judge — represents the theatre’s new approach to entertainment in the age of streaming.
“We’re so excited to have Alex aboard to really take our room to the next level and make sure we embrace local bands and get as much good stuff as possible,” Judge says.
Pickert adds: “I’m humbled to be able to book live music again in such an amazing space, especially after being laid off in May 2020 from my corporate booking job. It feels good to be back in a room full time, especially one that is independently run.”
Artists interested in booking a show at Crystal Ballroom can reach Pickert at Alex@frameonetheatres.com.