I just saw a MySpace post from Michael Pyeatt, assistant manager (and bartender) at Balcony Club. Last night, the club was shut down at 11 pm because the people who rent out the Lakewood Theater could not operate the fire panel. As a result, the Fire Marshall had to shut the place down.
Balcony Club, however, will be open tonight as they celebrate Tommy Stanco's birthday, complete with entertainment from Dave Burris and Arthur Riddles Group, plus Tommy's beef brisket! And yes, Mr. Pyeatt and the club hired a Fire Marshall to be on hand this evening, so the venue will stay open throughout the night. The club's future beyond tonight, unfortunately, is uncertain at best. I talked to Michael this afternoon and he said that "the people who rent [Lakewood Theater] and Arcade Bar are making it really hard on us. They want our space."
For those headed out this evening, please stop by Balcony Club and have a few drinks. If you've never been, you are in for a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere of the club is visual stunning, and the feel of the place is very comfortable. The jazz performers are never overpowering in volume, allowing you to enjoy conversation without shouting at one another. But for those who come for the music, there are always first rate musicians on hand ready and eager to play. Go there tonight and support this fine staple of the Dallas music scene. Also, feel free to visit the Balcony Club's pages on both Facebook and MySpace, and let your support be known. Dallas cannot afford to lose another quality music venue.
1 comment:
The Balcony Club is one of my all-time favorite places in Dallas. I've spent countless nights there listening to jazz, writing, having drinks with friends - it's everything a great club should be. I'd be crushed if it closes.
I wrote many of the lyrics to the Elkhart record there, and when Michael and I were working out the songs, that was one of the criteria - the songs should fit at The Balcony Club (even though they aren't jazz). They needed that humid, late night, low key feel that you get from the booth at Balcony.
I've had many great experiences there, but one of my favorites was a Tuesday night during the summer of 2007, drinking scotch and writing. The band was playing, and a guy with a trumpet walked in and sat down at the corner of the bar by the front door. A few songs later, he stood up and - unmiked - started playing along with the band. It was probably 100 degrees outside that night - the humidity was visible under the parking lot lights - and this great, improvisational music was drifting through the smoke-filled air. There were maybe 20 people there, but they were there to hear music - it was an experience as a music fan where everything clicked, and it's one that I'll never forget.
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