With Common Grounds closing in June, what factor will that play as far as Fest venues goes?

Ruhroh

to say this is a super bummer would be an understatement

Sad story.

:c

I wonder if it's possible for No Idea to rent it out for the weekend, even though it will be closed? stranger things have happened, just serving alcohol probably wouldn't fly if they did that.

I wish I had the scrill/skills to come down and buy it out and turn it into the Gilman St of Gainesville. I have the know how to help run a venue. I did that for a while and still help out at Gilman. It would be bad ass I swear!

In the 90s, up until early 2000, the building that is now CG used to be a venue called The Covered Dish. It was my favorite venue. A few things are better since CG moved in, but I miss some of the features of the old Dish: no smoking inside ever, and there was a lowered pit area in front of the stage, with a rail around the raised sides, sort of like Market Street.

I was bummed out when it closed. It sat empty for a couple years, and the landlords painted over this amazing mural that wrapped around 3 sides of the building. A couple different night clubs bought it, renovated, and closed down, but for about 3 years, there was only one punk rock show there (HWM, AM!, and Coheed & Cambria) during one of the short lived owners.

I just hope such a great space doesn't go unused for so long again.

why is it closing?

Aw, that place was one of my favorites. This Bike and Fleshies at Common Grounds was THE SHIT.

So many great bands I've seen at this place, so many good times that I have had at this place. CG's will be missed, most definitely...

I've possibly spent half of my Fest time in this venue.

Dunno if y'all knew...but come July, what'll then be the former Common Grounds will turn into a new venue called Double Down Live. I read it'll be not too different from the CG's we all have gotten to know. So hey...maybe Fest will be in that building again after all.

thanks for that heads up. Surprisingly little info about the new venue out there, but I found a blog post about it with the names of people running it, and it says Frank Turner will be there on September 28.

Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE AND WIDESPREAD RELEASE

Music fans and artists both locally and across the country were saddened to hear recently of the passing of a landmark in Gainesville live music for the past 15 years – Common Grounds.

Glory Days worked closely with Common Grounds on numerous successful concerts over the years, bringing everyone from Avett Brothers to Afroman to comic Doug Benson to their stage.
Glory Days will produce the last events at this historical venue this Saturday and Sunday June 25 & 26 with a stacked bill of 16 local and regional bands playing the stage one last time. For more info, click here:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid= ... 4228938357

Additionally, Glory Days Presents is very proud to announce the continuation of a tradition, as well as a new beginning for live music and grassroots events in downtown Gainesville.
Starting July 1st new ownership and management will take over the lease at 210 SW 2nd Ave, Suite A downtown, former location of Common Grounds and before that Covered Dish (1990′s). This new club will be called DOUBLE DOWN LIVE. The club format will stay largely the same, continuing a strong focus on live bands and DJs, comedy, performances and events with an emphasis on community involvement. The outside area will continue to be no cover all the time. Upgrades will be made to the A/C along with an aesthetic face lift. Parking is still some of the most plentiful downtown. DOUBLE DOWN hopes to improve the live music experience for Gainesville and suggestions are welcome !

Double Down ownership includes Moe Rodriguez, formerly of local concert promotions company Promoe Music. Moe will be acting as General Manager and Jeremy “Doc” Murdock will be retained from Common Grounds as Bar Manager.

Glory Days Presents! will manage the calendar and handle all booking requests for local and national artists, as well as private and sponsored events, benefits, and facilliate outside promoters and organizers at Double Down Live. Glory Days will also handle publicity and promotion. Shows and events are currently being booked right now for late summer and Fall ! We are open minded to a wide variety of music and events. Artists, promoters, event organizers, press and all interested parties please send all inquiries to Pat Lavery at Glory Days right away!

Currently the soft opening date is July 18th for Karaoke which will continue on Mondays. Confirmed upcoming shows include Aug 12 Hamell on Trial, Sept 22 Surfer Blood w/Fake Problems, Sept 28 Frank Turner, and Oct 19 Reverend Horton Heat w/Supersuckers. Tickets for these events will be available soon at Ticketweb.com, High Tides , and Hear Again Music as well as the venue.

Glory Days Presents is Gainesville, FL’s largest promoter of live music events since 2001. Glory Days celebrates 10 consecutive years as the foundation of live music in Gainesville, producing and promoting events at every local venue past and present. Owned and operated by UF graduate Patrick Lavery, Glory Days produced the Real Big Deal music festival in 2008, Gainesville’s first large scale outdoor music festival in almost a decade. The company also produces a large amount of events all over the state and Southeast – as far South as Ft Lauderdale and westward to New Orleans.

For more info, contact below:
Moe Rodriguez
promoe@cox.net

INFO AND CONTENT COMING SOON:

facebook.com/doubledownlive
twitter.com/doubledownlive
myspace.com/doubledownlivegvl

Pat Lavery/Glory Days Presents!
Independent Promoter and Talent Buyer
Gainesville, Pensacola, Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Mobile, AL – New Orleans, LA