Since 2002, the Red Dragon Listening Room has been Baton Rouge’s haven for singer-songwriters and their fans.

Possibly no one loves the noncommercial singer-songwriter and folk music genres more than Red Dragon founder Chris Maxwell. He’s presented 1,326 shows, beginning at the venue’s original Government Street location and later at the Florida Street address it’s occupied since 2008.

The Red Dragon, by any standards, would be described as an atypical music venue — cinder-block walls, a low ceiling, twinkly lights and patrons sitting in rows of sofas, which Maxwell explained help with the acoustics. Plus, its BYOB policy made for a different vibe. People came, as the name suggests, to listen.

Maxwell and his wife, Liz, announced their retirement from the Red Dragon in February. Their

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