The Grail Club

The Grail, like Erin Morgenstern's Night Circus, often appears without warning. Posters will suddenly appear, advertising a band playing at the Holy Grail (the club's proper name) and a street address and a phrase in tiny letters at the bottom. Mundane people, and Talented people unfamiliar with the Grail, will be confused by posters. The band is likely one that they have never heard of. The address leads to a vacant lot or a city park or even the parking lot of an abandoned factory or shopping mall. And the quotation is, if not actual nonsense, something random. But if you see the poster, take note of the address, the date and time, and the phrase, and go, even if you don't recognize the name of the band or if no band is listed at all. The music is sure to be phenomenal.
To those with The Talent, however, the Holy Grail is legendary. Founded in 1965 by Peter "Stone" Hill, the Grail hosts up-and-coming musical acts, many of which subsequently burst onto the music scene and become huge successes. If you are lucky, you might catch one of these success stories when they return to the Grail out of gratitude and nostalgia.
The Grail generally travels to major American cities: New York, Miami, Nashville, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, and Los Angeles are the most frequent stops, but other cities have been known to host the Grail from time to time, especially if there is a new "sound" in that city or if it has a strong music scene. The Grail has even been known to travel across the border to Vancouver or Toronto or Montreal, and on a few memorable occasions, it appeared in London, England, Glastonbury, England, and Glasgow, Scotland.
The Grail generally appears twice a month, but it may open every week, or twice a week, or vanish for months. It opens only when the music is good.

Purpose / Function

The Grail is a simultaneously a night club, a dance club, and a concert hall, but its main purpose is a music club.  Since its inception in 1965, the Grail has hosted up-and-coming musical acts, many of whom have gone on to become stars. 
Because of its focus on music, the Grail has a state-of-the-art sound system. The system is very versatile, since the musical acts encompass everything from jazz to heavy metal. Its technicians are also top-notch.

Architecture

When people arrive at the address listed on the flyer, they will see only the parking lot, or abandoned shopping mall, or old factory. Then they must speak their name and say, "I seek the Holy Grail." They will then hear a mysterious question, and must repeat the quotation from the flyer, which answers the question. (Those who are old enough to remember know that originally, all people had to do upon arrival was repeat the quotation, but Peter "Stone" Hill loved Monty Python and the Holy Grail and has a mischievous sense of humor.) The Grail will then appear.
From the outside, the Grail looks like a large circular tent, about 40 feet in diameter. It looks like a circus tent, though its blue and gold decoration is unusually medieval. Physically, this tent could be packed up and loaded into the back of a semi truck, but Peter Hill would never do anything so crude with his precious Grail. (It is usually packed by magic and loaded in Hill's personal vehicle.)
Inside, however, the Grail looks like a more typical nightclub: there is a generous stage on one end, a complex and state-of-the-art soundboard opposite, and a large area for the audience. The ceiling and walls are specially constructed to amplify, preserve, and convey sound faithfully. The stage has adequate room and scaffolding to support special effects; the lighting system is not only the best on the market, but magically enhanced. The club can hold about 400 patrons, plus staff, the band, road crew, and security.
There are always a scattering of tall tables and stools around the walls. Two bars, one to the left and the other to the right of the stage, are fully stocked and staffed, and often include local brews on tap as well as the usual commercial offerings. Behind both bars are unusually spacious and well-equipped rest rooms.
The staff uses illusory and glamour magic to change the interior decorating to suit the performing band. If a jazz or blues act is performing, the interior will look like a jazz club, complete with tables and wait staff. If it is a heavy metal rock concert, the walls with be jet black, perhaps adorned with posters of past appearances of similar bands at the Grail. A dance band will appear in a dance hall or a disco, depending on the era.

History

The Grail is legendary in giving bands their starts. For instance, in 1969, Peter Hill hosted the then unknown band The Dead Basilisks, who then shot to superstardom with their first album.

Founding Date

1965

Alternative Names

The Holy Grail, The Grail

Type

Dance club

Owner

Peter "Stone" Hill