most of the local small-venue lore I've learned since moving to my city a few years ago has been highly disappointing. you always hope local art can be a culture isolated from shitbags, but it rarely ever is.
most recently, not a music venue owner but the owner of a renown and beloved local bookstore was caught fucking peeping on women in the bathroom. nothing's been done about it, but i guess the plus side is that now i have a five finger discount at the bookstore right down the street.
it's insane that it happens everywhere,—the small ounce of celebrity that comes from running a third space just goes straight to peoples' heads i guess.
probably it just means that we need to push towards more communal orientations for third spaces but how can we do that when our entire notion of culture is focused on individuals and microcelebs?
yeah there's some self-important quality to "facilitators of the arts" that may, genuinely, be inescapable in a world that has such little infrastructure for artists in general. effectively makes these guys play the role of "local hero saving the music scene" when they are more accurately just "some guy with enough money to not go bankrupt from owning a venue."
our co-op bookstore definitely wouldn't let their members get away with the shit the guy from Prospero's did, and i think that communal element you mentioned could do a lot in mitigating harm. as long as there is power it'll be corrupted, as long as there are unions there'll be corrupt union leaders, but creating a standard of People Answering to their Community for the Shit They've Done is a net positive even if it doesn't have a 100% success rate.
that’s exactly what it is, yeah,—i think whenever somone’s face is tied up to their “giving artists a place to express themselves,” there’s probably more than a little bit of ego at play there.
The idea remains pure even if the actors aren’t. You should always be loyal to a movement and not to the people in it— if that makes sense. Beautiful post.
my hometowns scene got vaporized a half year after covid ended and we're still reeling, there's only onr venue worth going to and it's not even in the actual city limits
covid seemed like an arrow right to the achilles of a lot of hometown arts scenes, there's rebuilding going on of course but it's so slow that it feels impossible
it wasn't even covid that did us in, we were thriving coming out of it but a couple key people got hit with allegations (much like this piece) and the whole thing faceplanted
shit yeah, the betrayals to the cause feel devastating. it's like nobody wants to pick the pieces up because what if it happens again?
the nice thing about being in a big city like chicago is there's always shuffling around and the scene isn't bound down to just one venue;—i'm really not sure how a small town can resurrect a scene that's not focused around one venue space, though. it's a good question
I also love it because it is so, SO niche - I had to look up a couple of the things you were referencing because I am not familiar with Chicago at all - but so relatable in terms of the theme of mistrust. I also like that you primarily focused on the emotion that comes with that kind of betrayal without trying to solve anything
Thank you for writing this!!!!!!!! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it?????? And I’m not sure what I mean by that quiet yet. I feel like when I tell people I love creative non-fiction & that I write it - this is what I mean. I love that it is a peek into your life but also an analysis of your life in a subculture you are a part of/that is around you. It feels like a secret, but also like you are my friend? Kind of like you are an undercover reporter also
the space is right across the street from my apartment and with how much hammering and construction sounds i’ve been hearing i assumed it would be sooner lol
I always say its good to have a healthy dose of suspicion with champions and institutions. Nobody is perfect, but those who live as though they are perfect are the ones I smile and keep a good distance from. I hope everyone is doing better after such a horrific event.
most of the local small-venue lore I've learned since moving to my city a few years ago has been highly disappointing. you always hope local art can be a culture isolated from shitbags, but it rarely ever is.
most recently, not a music venue owner but the owner of a renown and beloved local bookstore was caught fucking peeping on women in the bathroom. nothing's been done about it, but i guess the plus side is that now i have a five finger discount at the bookstore right down the street.
it's insane that it happens everywhere,—the small ounce of celebrity that comes from running a third space just goes straight to peoples' heads i guess.
probably it just means that we need to push towards more communal orientations for third spaces but how can we do that when our entire notion of culture is focused on individuals and microcelebs?
yeah there's some self-important quality to "facilitators of the arts" that may, genuinely, be inescapable in a world that has such little infrastructure for artists in general. effectively makes these guys play the role of "local hero saving the music scene" when they are more accurately just "some guy with enough money to not go bankrupt from owning a venue."
our co-op bookstore definitely wouldn't let their members get away with the shit the guy from Prospero's did, and i think that communal element you mentioned could do a lot in mitigating harm. as long as there is power it'll be corrupted, as long as there are unions there'll be corrupt union leaders, but creating a standard of People Answering to their Community for the Shit They've Done is a net positive even if it doesn't have a 100% success rate.
that’s exactly what it is, yeah,—i think whenever somone’s face is tied up to their “giving artists a place to express themselves,” there’s probably more than a little bit of ego at play there.
The idea remains pure even if the actors aren’t. You should always be loyal to a movement and not to the people in it— if that makes sense. Beautiful post.
thanks sm!!
my hometowns scene got vaporized a half year after covid ended and we're still reeling, there's only onr venue worth going to and it's not even in the actual city limits
covid seemed like an arrow right to the achilles of a lot of hometown arts scenes, there's rebuilding going on of course but it's so slow that it feels impossible
it wasn't even covid that did us in, we were thriving coming out of it but a couple key people got hit with allegations (much like this piece) and the whole thing faceplanted
shit yeah, the betrayals to the cause feel devastating. it's like nobody wants to pick the pieces up because what if it happens again?
the nice thing about being in a big city like chicago is there's always shuffling around and the scene isn't bound down to just one venue;—i'm really not sure how a small town can resurrect a scene that's not focused around one venue space, though. it's a good question
when I don’t know what half of the words mean but still feel enlightened you know it’s good
yeahh there’s a lot of chicago in this essay, maybe too much
or not enough!!
did not realize i had a chicago-sized writing hole in my heart. loved this!
THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR WORDS WITH THE WORLD AND FOR SHARING YOUR SOUL XO
I also love it because it is so, SO niche - I had to look up a couple of the things you were referencing because I am not familiar with Chicago at all - but so relatable in terms of the theme of mistrust. I also like that you primarily focused on the emotion that comes with that kind of betrayal without trying to solve anything
Thank you for writing this!!!!!!!! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it?????? And I’m not sure what I mean by that quiet yet. I feel like when I tell people I love creative non-fiction & that I write it - this is what I mean. I love that it is a peek into your life but also an analysis of your life in a subculture you are a part of/that is around you. It feels like a secret, but also like you are my friend? Kind of like you are an undercover reporter also
Wow wow wow your writing is SO GOOD
not next month but soon! https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/09/30/former-elbo-room-building-bought-by-duo-behind-bookclub-lakeviews-secret-music-venue/
oh dang you’re right
the space is right across the street from my apartment and with how much hammering and construction sounds i’ve been hearing i assumed it would be sooner lol
I always say its good to have a healthy dose of suspicion with champions and institutions. Nobody is perfect, but those who live as though they are perfect are the ones I smile and keep a good distance from. I hope everyone is doing better after such a horrific event.
Seconding bookclub they kick ass
Right! Excited to see what they do with the abandoned Elbo Room space
omg i needed this thank you for the lore. Will be passing along.
love serving up some good lore haha