perfidy

The eeeevil landlords at New York University might be shutting down the Bottom Line, one of THE most hallowed stages in the history of rock, folk, blues, and American music of all stripes. In the wake of September 2001, business fell way off and the Bottom Line got behind on their rent with NYU, the owners of that property as well as most of the rest of lower Manhattan. Here's the statement from the Bottom Line:

The problem is as follows: Even before the terrorist attacks on the World Trader Center, the nation was already feeling the downturn in the economy. Our business, along with so many other small businesses, has not been able to recover since the tragedy of September 11th. Attendance to shows has declined. In addition, our customers are feeling economic stress, our bills have been multiplying, and we have found ourselves substantially behind in our rent. Our landlord, New York University, has started eviction proceedings. During our negotiations with New York University to resolve this situation, the Bottom Line has presented several different proposals to pay our past due rent, while at the same time keeping current with a new, higher rent proposed by NYU. Unfortunately, NYU has not been open to negotiating a long-term solution to our mutual problem. We want to pay off our debt to NYU, but to do so we need to remain in business. To stay in business, we need a promise from NYU that, if we pay off the rental arrears, they won't evict the Bottom Line.

This is awful. I don't know the whole story, because I no longer have business with the Bottom Line's owners, but regardless of the details it would be an enormous tragedy if this venue were to close. There are few enough good places to see music in New York while actually sitting down without the Bottom Line going the way of the dodo. Co-owner Allan Pepper might be an abrasive curmudgeon, but he's a lovable, ethical, and hard-working abrasive curmudgeon who has spent the last thirty years dedicating his life to the betterment of humanity through transcendentally great music. That should count for something, but of course it won't.

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The Bottom Line's website (linked above) has details on how you can help, or at least show support for, this pillar of American popular music. West 4th Street used to be the center of the universe, as far as folk music goes, and the Bottom Line is one of the last vestiges of that world.

Just last night I was in a conversation about Boston, and how much less interesting Kenmore Square looks now that they gentrified the Rathskellar out of existence and moved the Disney Store in. Change in and of itself is not bad, but it sure does hurt if you care.

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[moreover] The way the Bowery's looking these days (that is, less full of homeless people, syringes, and gunk-- all charming), I wouldn't be surprised if CBGB gets the boot someday soon in favor of a Starbucks or a Body Shop.