August 21, 2003
(Updated) Bye-Bye Blackbird
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
Rumors had been circulating of late that The Blackbird would be closing, while counter-rumors suggested that the club's bartenders would be taking over.
The first confirmatory report hit the Willamette Week this Wednesday:
Plans were in the works to transfer ownership from current owner Patrick Kenneally to Hylton and three other employees. But before they could take over the business and give it a transfusion of new blood, the landlord pulled the trigger.
This was followed quickly by a feature-length post-mortem in Thursday's Portland Mercury:
Although the owner, Pat Kenneally, opened its doors only two short years ago, the Blackbird almost immediately became a defining influence on Portland's relationship with music. Many will be shocked that such a popular, well respected club could have been doing so poor financially. However, the ideals on which Kenneally built his business were also the cause of its inevitable demise. Nobody involved with the club is surprised by its closure--which was more or less anticipated since its inception. But it remains to be seen how Portland music will be impacted in its absence and influenced by its philosophy.
This evening, was part of a brief conversation at Bar of the Gods with three people who amongst them represent The Minders, Hoary Poury (and Painted Birds), and The Swords Project.
Suffice it to say that, indeed, the local music scene -- especially, in some sense, that which calls Southeast its home -- is not particularly happy with this development.
Update
Here are the details from the Blackbird's calendar for their closing party on Friday, August 29:
BYE BYE BLACKBIRD party featuring The Triggers, Holodeck Moshpit (aka the democratically-nominated dreamiest band in Portland), Grails, Holy Sons, DJs, Friendsters, Fakesters, Prizes, Punishments, Rails, Normal People, Po-Mo Wet T-Shirt Contest, Kute Spelling, Industry Mixing, Demo Microwaving, Press Photo Coloring Contest, Mechanical Bull Riding, Mister Mister-only Karaokeing, Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Tour Manager, Star Wars Kid Fighting, Sobbing, Lamenting, Apologizing, Promising, Rejoicing, Barfing, Renouncing, Reinstating, Cleansing, Rediscovering and waking up the next evening just in time for the DEERHOOF SHOW!
Comments (3)
The One True b!X on 21 Aug 2003
Speaking of which, Painted Birds are playing with The Brother Egg tomorrow night at the Burlingame Acoustic Room. Show begins at 9:00 PM, with potential adjustments for Portland Band Time.
alan on 22 Aug 2003
I saw one show at the Blackbird. That venue really sucked. It had this pretense of "health" with its vegan menu, but it was the smokiest bar I've ever been to in my life. I had to stand by the one (and only) door the whole time. I hope the new owners eaither ban smoking or try a new concept: ventilation.
The One True b!X on 22 Aug 2003
Oddly enough, as a smoker I agree with you in terms of the air inside the Blackbird. I've never been to a show there at which I didn't need to take breaks outside because it was stifling inside, and the place heats up way fast when it's crowded.