After 21 years at the helm, Hal Real is stepping down as CEO of World Cafe Live. Real and the venue made the announcement on April 28, along with news that Philadelphia native and tech entrepreneur Joe Callahan will be taking over as the venue’s next CEO.
“It has been the most fulfilling experience to see my original concept evolve into WCL as we know it now,” Real said in an email. “Together we have built a strong foundation and the future is bright.”
Real, a former attorney with a background in real estate, had the seed of an idea for World Cafe Live in 1997. He’s a lifelong live music lover and pianist, and wanted to create a music venue that provided an alternative to the bar scene prevalent in Philly at the time. At the same time, WXPN was looking for a new home for its studio space, and Real proposed that the two join forces for a shared space — a “clubhouse for music,” as it was called at the time — with a strong focus on platforming the local music community.
“That idea was transformative for us and led to so many other things including Free at Noon and bringing NON-COMM here,” says WXPN General Manager Roger LaMay. “It enabled us to build personal relationships with key donors and members and to grow our impact on the local music community.”
World Cafe Live opened its doors in 2004 at the Hajoca Building, a former showroom for a plumbing corporation located inside a historic Art Deco building at 30th and Walnut. The venue quickly incorporated the community-oriented philosophy into its operations. It launched the LiveConnections music education program in 2008, and fully established itself as a non-profit music venue in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Real and the venue became an animating force behind NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, which advocated for bolstered federal support of independently-owned live music spaces.
“Hal persevered through a recession and a pandemic, becoming a national leader in the independent venue organization NIVA,” says LaMay. “We will forever be grateful for his significant contribution to our growth and success.”
The incoming CEO, Callahan, is a director of the city-to-city Portals project, and Real is enthusiastic about his interest in artist development and music education for Philadelphia youth.
“WCL’s board and leadership team look forward to how Joe will bring his track record of innovation, fresh energy, and vision to propel WCL to its next chapter,” says Real. “I will always be proud of my role as WCL Founder and grateful to you for sharing my passion for the power of live music.”