Irony collides with Established Anti-Establishment Rock Club: Sense of humor mortally wounded
For fans of rock and CBGB, the idea of losing the club as a result of an eviction over disputed back rent is agonizing enough. The irony is that the landlord is a non-profit agency that helps the homeless, the mentally ill and substance abusers:
Seven days after its lease expired, the legendary punk venue CBGB's received an eviction notice from its landlord - a move the club's owner predicted Thursday would move the bitter fight over the Manhattan club's future into the courtroom. "This was expected,'' said CBGB's owner Hilly Kristal. "We were hoping it would come. Now it becomes a court battle.'' The eviction notice was served Wednesday evening to the club at 315 Bowery. The building landlord, the non-profit homeless advocacy group the Bowery Resident's Committee, reiterated its call for CBGB's to "vacate the premises both voluntarily and expeditiously.'' BRC executive director Muzzy Rosenblatt confirmed the eviction notice was served, but declined further comment.Just hours before the lease expired at midnight on Aug. 31, the BRC announced it would not renew the club's lease after a five-year fight over the monthly $19,000 rent. The bearded Kristal, who opened the club in December 1973, was unrattled by the latest notice. "My lawyer is going to court, and that's basically where it is now,'' said Kristal. "My take, and I hope the people in power agree, is that we should stay right here at 315 Bowery.'' The BRC, which holds a 45-year lease on the building, houses 250 homeless people above the club. CBGB is its lone commercial tenant.
As a matter of fair disclosure, I have to admit that I have had years of dealings with BRC's case managers and social workers, taking in their homeless folks. Almost all of the clients I've worked with from BRC have been very sweet people. I've had no dealings with their Executive Officers, so I don't if they're buttheads or what... But this whole battle between a musical establishment and homeless advocacy organization is so tragic and absurd: CBGB can't really wage a public battle against a homeless group without looking ridiculous. After all, it's not like BRC is City Hall or The Man. On the other hand, BRC can't risk antagonizing drunken, spirited punk fans from destroying them with their steel-capped boots.
I'm going to say that through the power of public relations and good will, they will come to some sort of compromise. If not, stay out of the hooligans' way...
Seven days after its lease expired, the legendary punk venue CBGB's received an eviction notice from its landlord - a move the club's owner predicted Thursday would move the bitter fight over the Manhattan club's future into the courtroom. "This was expected,'' said CBGB's owner Hilly Kristal. "We were hoping it would come. Now it becomes a court battle.'' The eviction notice was served Wednesday evening to the club at 315 Bowery. The building landlord, the non-profit homeless advocacy group the Bowery Resident's Committee, reiterated its call for CBGB's to "vacate the premises both voluntarily and expeditiously.'' BRC executive director Muzzy Rosenblatt confirmed the eviction notice was served, but declined further comment.Just hours before the lease expired at midnight on Aug. 31, the BRC announced it would not renew the club's lease after a five-year fight over the monthly $19,000 rent. The bearded Kristal, who opened the club in December 1973, was unrattled by the latest notice. "My lawyer is going to court, and that's basically where it is now,'' said Kristal. "My take, and I hope the people in power agree, is that we should stay right here at 315 Bowery.'' The BRC, which holds a 45-year lease on the building, houses 250 homeless people above the club. CBGB is its lone commercial tenant.
As a matter of fair disclosure, I have to admit that I have had years of dealings with BRC's case managers and social workers, taking in their homeless folks. Almost all of the clients I've worked with from BRC have been very sweet people. I've had no dealings with their Executive Officers, so I don't if they're buttheads or what... But this whole battle between a musical establishment and homeless advocacy organization is so tragic and absurd: CBGB can't really wage a public battle against a homeless group without looking ridiculous. After all, it's not like BRC is City Hall or The Man. On the other hand, BRC can't risk antagonizing drunken, spirited punk fans from destroying them with their steel-capped boots.
I'm going to say that through the power of public relations and good will, they will come to some sort of compromise. If not, stay out of the hooligans' way...
posted by Alan at 1:03 PM
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