ARTS
Page 6 Sunday, September 21, 1980 The Michigan Daily
The loss of the New Old Brick is nobody's gain
By MARK COLEMAN in Ann Arbor's "bar market," their ballet classes." This outlet has been Sun Ra's Arkestra. The success of the
The New Old Brick is no more. After business will undoubtedly prosper in utilized by the Theatre Company of Ann Brick is wholly a result of community
tomorrow night, the loft/performance another location. But the New Old Brick Arbor, the Mirage dance troupe, and a support-there's no ambitous promoter
space and studios that have occupied is another consideration altogether. good number of local musicians and building a reputation in the
the upper two levels of 109 Main Although owned by the same visual artists, background. "We depend on com-
Street will be vacated in preparation businessman who owns the Star Bar, THE NAME came from a residence munity involvement," says Multi
for the wrecking ball. Downstairs, the the upstairs area is overseen by New on Pontiac Trail known as the "Old Media spokesman Gerhard Schlanzky,
Star Bar struggles on, but it's only a Old Brick Multi Media, a non-profit Brick," which housed a group of local "We 'simply wouldn't exist without it." '
matter of time before it too will literally organization dedicated to promoting artists and musicians. They relocated p oIn fact, the community supprt has got-
bite the dust. the arts by "providing an outlet for the in the Main Street building in late 1975 ten strong enough that not only did the 5 " P.$.5
The owners of the Star Bar say they creative resources of the community and began the herculean task of Brick begin to break even financially
plan to relocate, and given the demand ranging from rock 'n' roll shows to renovating the decaying building. First this summer, but enough money and
the second floor was sanctioned into volunteers were raised at a benefit this '"
studios and living quarters, then in 1977 past June 12 to start the basic groun- 1
the wood floor from the recently dwork for the final renovations
Thdemolished Waterman Gymnasium required by the city and the fire
e M A tE, ,he bi-monthly ,magazine was installed in the third floor loft and department.
the Michi S de n the dream of an alternative performan- Then the bad news came: The entire
o e igan Stuent Assembly is now accepting ce gall became viable. building was to be torn down, probably
applications for all full-time and part-time staff Heat, electricity and plumbing were sometime in November. Schlanzky and
positions: writers, photographers, editors, graphic gradually installed, and in late 1977 the New Old Brick Multi Media are in-
artists, and business staff. Mirage group began holding dance vestigating a number of new sites, but
classes there. Around this same time nothing is definite. Sunday night is the z
the New Old Brick became the site of a last concert performance at the Brick,
RGA NIZA TIO NAL M E ET ING: seemingly endless series of infamous featuring the Same Band and the Ur-
NDA'' $ 2**^word-of-mouth "parties" featuring liv- bations and billed as the "End of the ;
SU""AYe entertainment for a minimal WorldParty."
donation. These events set the stage for The passing of the New Old Brick is
the New Old Brick as a much-needed ironic as well as tragic: It's a dream
917 et Ann , No. 1galCAN musical alternative to the hype and that was shot down just as it began to be
(Between Glen and Ingalls) STUDENT high pressure of the bars. realized. That soon-to-be vacant lot at y by
M$A phone: 76.3241 ASSEM L.Y In May of 1978, the non-profit group 109/ Main will leave a tremendous gap The upper two floors at 109%2 Main Street house the Ne Ol 'Brick. The loft
was formed to promote arts in the in the Ann Arbor community, one that and studio complex above the Star Bar and Anderson campaign headquar-
community, specifically by continuing hopefully can and will be filled again. ters thrived as an alternative performance venue for localartists until its
the renovation of the New Old Brick it- impending demolition was announced.
self and expanding its artistic offerings.
STATE 1-2-3-4 "A R Those "parties" increased in size and
frequency until they became full
fledged concerts; the building also
Presents a JOHN WATERS FILM FESTIVAL provided rehearsal space for David
"El 9 A /Swain's 2-5-1 Orchestra and practically
gave birth to the Same Band.
EXERCISING VERY E DURING THE last year, activity in
all artistic spheres at the Brick has in-
FRI. & SAT. AT MIDNIGHT-SEPT. 26 & 27creased; it became an important outlet
also C for innovative, non-traditional dance
and theatre performances as well as
A TR O U B LE music ranging from the Cult Heroes to ...
PINK FLAM NGOSX
-- -- -- AD c M - - - - -
IFRI. & SAT. AT MIDNIGHT-OCT.10 & 11
also OCT. 17 & 18 pass up /
your chance.
"DESPER ATE L IV ING" Help prevent1
and "PINK FLAMINGOS" x birth def cts '.%
SPECIAL GROUP RATES FOR 50 or MORE call 662-5296
Daily Photo by MAUREEN O'MALLEY
Gerhard Schlanzky and Rick Price admire the performance loft at the New Old Brick. The wooden floor underneath
them is the gym floor from the now-deceased Waterman Gymnasium, installed at the Brick by these two men. The fate
of this old wood as well as the creative ventures it supported remains undecided.
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