Earlier this month, a mix of bad and good news regarding the fate of CBGB started floating around. First of all it was confirmed that the club is absolutely closing. The landlord (Bowery Residency Committee) has made it clear that they want CBGB and all its punk history out, though what they intend to do with the location is still unknown. Well, that is to say I have not been able to find anything explaining this matter on their website or anywhere.
The good news is that CBGB and the BRC have agreed to keep the doors open until October 2006. This will give the club a chance to find a new home. But, make no mistake; there will be no further extensions after October 2006. At that time, once and for all, the legendary 315 Bowery location will be no more.
Other good news was that, despite the rumors, CBGB will not be moving out of NYC to Las Vegas. To clear up the confusion, they posted this on their MySpace Blog:
“The rumors of us trying to open in Las Vegas and/or elsewhere are true… but not what you may think. We are staying in New York and we are looking for a space in downtown Manhattan. We are not moving to Las Vegas or anywhere else. We are, however, looking at opening up a sister club elsewhere… perhaps a CBGB West. But the original CBGB, though it will have to move, will remain in New York.”
So the fight continues. We’ll just need to focus our energies in a new direction. One that will help what has long been called the birthplace of punk find a new home … and a new life.
Once again, the Hoboken music community will show their support tonight in a final New Year’s Eve bash at CBGB.
