The Velvet Lounge

[Lazaro Vega]

Dear Chicago and lovers of Chicago music,

As most of you already know, Fred Anderson is going to have to relocate the

Velvet Lounge very soon. For a lot of us, the Velvet Lounge has been a home

base, a Mecca of Music. For many years, Baba Fred has not only been a great

musical inspiration, but he has provided a space for so many musicians to

perform and to continue the development of creative music. He has been tireless

in his efforts. This is our moment to step up and come together as a

community to help him out.

There is already a new development around the corner on Cermak that is

designated for the new Velvet Lounge's location, but it's going to take an enormous

amount of work and money for this transition. In order for Fred to move into

the new space, he is going to have to build up the place from scratch--and

it's an overwhelming task!

In fact, the costs for this transformation are near $100,000.

The visual image, for those of you not living in Chicago, is that 2128 1/2 S.

Indiana is a lone box on a flattened landscape. The large abandoned

buildings surrounding the Velvet have already been torn down and the wrecking

vehicles are parked on the side of the Velvet's walls. Even Fitzies BBQ is gone!

We have two dates planned for fundraising concerts at the moment.

Sunday, May 22nd Afternoon (exact time TBA) at the HotHouse--Marguerite has

offered her space for this event

Friday, May 27th at the Velvet (9:30pm until-)

Later this week, a formal press release will be disseminated and by next

week, the Velvet Lounge website: www.velvetlounge.net, should be accessible for

internet contributions and also publicize the fundraising activities.

Here are ways you can help:

1. Chicago Musicians: All musicians interested in performing please email

me. If we end up with more musicians than can fit on these dates, we'll make

another date somewhere else.

2. Musicians at Large: If you have ideas to share, or would like to do a

fundraising concert in your area, please let us know.

3. Writers/Promoters/DJs: Anyone who has the ability to publicize this story

and get the word out, it would be really appreciated. A formal press

release will be published on chi-improv by the end of the week.

4. Fundraisers/Grantwriters: If you have any great ideas about how to

raise this money ASAP, please email me and we can plan a meeting.

5. Music Lovers/Organizers: If you want to make a contribution, or want to

help organize activities, please email me.

Peace and Blessings,

Nicole Mitchell

dreamtme3@aol.com

www.nicolemitchell.com

Edited March 29, 2005 by Lazaro Vega

[sal]

Thanks for posting, Lazaro. The Velvet Lounge is a very special place, and I plan on attending one of these functions to help support Fred and everyone else who frequents it.

[Lazaro Vega]

Man, Fred Anderson! You bet Sal. Wish I was in his place more often.

This came in from Margaret Davis. Readers in Europe take note:

Fred Anderson's trio + special guest Ernest Khabeer Dawkins will also play at Espace 1789 in Saint Ouen, France on a double bill with Anthony Braxton on April 8th as part of the huge, spectacular Banlieues Bleues Festival running from March 11th to April 25th in various towns in France. (I'm happy to say the great Henry Grimes will play in the festival at the same venue as featured artist with Marc Ribot's Spiritual Unity Quartet playing all Albert Ayler music on April 12th.)

If I may meander from the topic at hand for a minute, as I'm sure you know, the artistic scope of this festival is awesome: Charles Gayle, Yusef Lateef, Joe McPhee, David Murray, Evan Parker, Wadada Leo Smith, McCoy Tyner... hundreds and hundreds more, as can be seen on

www.banlieuesbleues.org/english/english.htm (click on "all the concerts").

Edited March 31, 2005 by Lazaro Vega

[sheldonm]

Man, Fred Anderson! You bet Sal. Wish I was in his place more often.

This came in from Margaret Davis. Readers in Europe take note:

Fred Anderson's trio + special guest Ernest Khabeer Dawkins will also play at Espace 1789 in Saint Ouen, France on a double bill with Anthony Braxton on April 8th as part of the huge, spectacular Banlieues Bleues Festival running from March 11th to April 25th in various towns in France. (I'm happy to say the great Henry Grimes will play in the festival at the same venue as featured artist with Marc Ribot's Spiritual Unity Quartet playing all Albert Ayler music on April 12th.)

If I may meander from the topic at hand for a minute, as I'm sure you know, the artistic scope of this festival is awesome: Charles Gayle, Yusef Lateef, Joe McPhee, David Murray, Evan Parker, Wadada Leo Smith, McCoy Tyner... hundreds and hundreds more, as can be seen on

www.banlieuesbleues.org/english/english.htm (click on "all the concerts").

...now that's a party!

[minew]

BUMMER about Fitzies! There was nothing like downing some of Fitzies Q on the Velvet's formica tables while watching Douglas Ewart and friends go at it with multiple didgeridoos.

To know the Velvet is to love it. I'll be there with bells on for the 5/27 gig.

[sal]

BUMMER about Fitzies!

No kidding....those were some good ribs.

[Johnny E]

FITZIES BBQ IS GONE?!?!?

That really sucks, I loved that place. Their sauce kicked ass! Has it moved or is it gone for good?

[sheldonm]

FITZIES BBQ IS GONE?!?!?

That really sucks, I loved that place. Their sauce kicked ass! Has it moved or is it gone for good?

...here's an image taken this weekend.

[sheldonm]

FITZIES BBQ IS GONE?!?!? 

That really sucks, I loved that place.  Their sauce kicked ass!  Has it moved or is it gone for good?

...here's an image taken this weekend.

....and another!

[sheldonm]

FITZIES BBQ IS GONE?!?!? 

That really sucks, I loved that place.  Their sauce kicked ass!  Has it moved or is it gone for good?

...here's an image taken this weekend.

....and another!

...and another w/ the Velvet Lounge!

Edited April 3, 2005 by sheldonm

[sheldonm]

FITZIES BBQ IS GONE?!?!? 

That really sucks, I loved that place.  Their sauce kicked ass!  Has it moved or is it gone for good?

...here's an image taken this weekend.

....and another!

...and another w/ the Velvet Lounge!

and....

[sheldonm]

FITZIES BBQ IS GONE?!?!? 

That really sucks, I loved that place.  Their sauce kicked ass!  Has it moved or is it gone for good?

...here's an image taken this weekend.

....and another!

...and another w/ the Velvet Lounge!

and....

...and

[Chuck Nessa]

Had a few beers there. Had a friendly barkeep named Fred.

[sheldonm]

Had a few beers there. Had a friendly barkeep named Fred.

...IS THIS THE GUY?

[Chuck Nessa]

Could be.

Y'ain't seen nothing 'less you been there early in the morning when the door opens and the (2 or 3) regulars come in for the breakfast draft from Mr Anderson.

"You want one Chuck?'. No, I'll wait for the coffee to finish.

[JSngry]

Y'ain't seen nothing 'less you been there early in the morning when the door opens and the (2 or 3) regulars come in for the breakfast draft from Mr Anderson.

"You want one Chuck?'. No, I'll wait for the coffee to finish.

Party-pooper.

[sheldonm]

I thought I would "up" this thread as the first of two benefit shows takes place tomorrow (5/22) at Hot House in Chicago 1-4:00 p.m.; be there!!!

The second show is next Friday night at the Velvet Lounge! B-)

Mark

Edited May 21, 2005 by sheldonm