"This will be our eighth year at Toad's around the holidays and it's always a reunion for old friends and fans," said Steve Rodgers, the lead singer and guitarist for Mighty Purple. "This is always a crazy busy time, but it's wonderful to play at Toad's and reconnect."

As the driving force behind the folk-rock band, Rodgers has lately been channeling his years of experience on the road into new paths. He was just presented in December one of five prestigious Artistic Alternatives Awards by the Arts Council of Greater New Haven as the founder of an alternative performance and arts facility in southern Hamden. He has also been at work on what will become the eighth full-band album for Mighty Purple.

"This is the first time that I feel we've been recognized by major arts figures in the region. It was given to me, but The Space [includes] a lot more people," said Rodgers, 30, who grew up in Hamden and recently bought a home nearby with his wife and 13 month old daughter.

As the patriarch of a burgeoning young arts scene in Hamden, Rodgers is gracious about recognizing the support of fans and artists.

"I'm just a guy who pays bills, but you need lots of volunteers, staff and musicians to make this place work," said Rodgers, who recently signed a ten-year lease for the 2,000 square foot building in an industrial park. "One person's vision is only as strong as their ability to rally others."

Rodgers said The Space started in 1993 with a group of musicians in a small factory building off Treadwell Street. The building was mostly a rehearsal spot for the Mighty Purple, but emerged as an impromptu performance hall for other local musicians and eventually a stop for touring artists.

During their many tours, most including over 200 dates a year at clubs and colleges around the country, Rodgers said that The Space was created to be their ideal of what a performance hall should be. Comfortable, visually lush and with a touch of home, The Space includes a great room on the first level that seats over 100 guests. On the second floor are offices, a gift shop, green room and recording studio.

"What we're doing is [creating a place] for all ages, from all walks of life and not have alcohol as the expressed focus, because what you get are wonderful things when people sit and listen to one another," said Rodgers, who has decorated the arts hall with an eclectic assortment of antiques, music and religious memorabilia and found objects.

Rodgers sat for the interview in the green room at The Space wearing overalls and a train conductor cap. An avid model railroad buff, he collects HO-scale New Haven Railroad engines and boxcars. He is also building an elaborate three-town set in his basement for relaxation.

The name "Mighty Purple" is taken from a youthful "accident" by one of the band's early members.

"Mighty Purple" is a ridiculous, terrible band name that we came up with at age 17 after a laundry accident," explained Rodgers about a former six-foot two-inch band member who unknowingly washed a pair of purple pants with white laundry.

Rodgers, who writes most of the music with his brother Jon, said the music could be described as folk rock. His early influences include U2, Jeff Buckley, REM and Nick Drake.

"It's our own sound, art songs," said Rodgers who notes that his interests have changed over the years from British rock to classical to "rootsy folk." "Sometimes it paints a picture of life that can mean something different to everyone listening."

The Mighty Purple performs 10 p.m., Saturday, January 15 at Toad's Place.