03/20/2015
20 March 2015
Today we herald new beginnings, with the beginning of spring.
For what it’s worth (as we got “scooped” last week from making any announcements on our own terms) as of today it is official - we are closing at the end of March.
We have ten days left.
We all have been overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude from the outpouring of responses from the community. The many posts and tributes that people have taken the time to write and share, in person and on social media, have been cathartic and healing for us, as we all have endured a lot of pain during this transition.
Like trying to capture something as elusive as a haint in a bottle, so is the task of having to define the spirit of BottleTree. The collection of stories and memories shared, underscores how much BottleTree is more a multi-faceted and kaleidoscopic spirit, reflecting and meaning many different things to many different people.
When the light catches the prism just right, and you squint your eyes just a little, you can see rainbows.
I would like to thank everyone who ever worked with us:
Tom Bagby, Robert Bagwell, Jason Barker, Chris Birdwell, Jessica Box, Camille Broome, Amanda Brandon, Nick Campbell, Michael Carpri, Van Coffey, Aaron Gibbs, Christiana Daniel, Possum Doss, Matto Ellis, John Engle, Eduardo Estrada, Kyle Farmer, Daniel Farris, Wes Frazier, Ryan Grayson, Haley Grimes, David Hagans, Lance Hayes, Kara Hall, Sarah Heath, Derek Holmes, Michael Hughins, Rodney Hasty, Brianna Payne, Jonathan Purvis, Ryan Hora, Aaron Isley, Shane Jewell, Shantanu Sahai, Janel Jones, Joshua Jones, Scotty Lee, Rachael Lockhart, Brad Lightfoot, Greg Lowry, Brooke McCarley, Matthew McDowell, Ian McIntosh, Liz Mackey, Kevin Wright, Allen Middlebrooks, Thomas Mimikakis, Abbey Moon, Dan Moreno, Keith Neighbors, Brock Owen, Brianna Payne, John Picard, Tina Pilgrim, Hollis Piling, Drew Price, Brian Rich, Ann Puckett, Jonathan Purvis, Cheryl Rice, Amber Ritchie, Charlie Brown Sanders, Jamie Sellers, Robin Bagwell, Nicole Day, Katy Seto, Matt Seward, Charlie Smith, Joe Thompson, Sarah Johnston, Arturo LaCroix, Melanie Smith, Byron Sonnier, Chris Stewart, Marla Stone, David Swatzell, Travis Swinford, Zac Tavel, Michael Tesney, Jennifer Toole, Ashley Vaske, Kayhan Vaziri, Zach Young, Ella Watson, Carter Wilson, Seth Williams, Camille Henry, Abbey Moon, Carly Wortham, Robert Vasser, Josh James, Chris Hendrix, and Rebecca Davis. Forgive me if I’ve left anyone off… there are too many people to thank to name here.
*You will find no finer people in Birmingham than this roster of folks, now most of them now spread out all over town, and beyond. It has been my distinct honor to serve alongside them in the trenches of running a small, independent music venue for nine years. I only wish we would have been in a position to pay all of you (and ourselves) more.
To Brian Teasley, Brad Challiss, and our families… we made magic happen, but at such a cost. I’m sorry we put each other through so much. I would also like to thank everyone who helped us along the way, like Andrea Paschal, Daisy Winfrey, Dean & Company, Lloyd, Michael, Rashid, Malcolm, Shannon, “We Have Signal” and Good People Brewery, Jeffrey Cain, “Speedy,” Jeff Gale, Mr Boehm, and people like John, a stranger, who happened to innocently stop by while traveling on his bike from North Carolina to New Orleans and ended up staying with us for two weeks to help. Once again, there are too many people to name here.
Every person who helped us, worked with us, shared their spirits with us over the years, every person that came out to spend some time with us - eat a little food, have a drink and maybe see a band or three - WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
I also want to thank the bands– all the national, regional – and especially the local bands - who lent their energy, and their talent to the building the current scene, which is by all accounts thriving.
Let’s make a few more memories before it’s all over.
Ten days… Come eat as many times as you can!
A few notes about the Farewell Fest:
No, it is not sold- out – we will be selling tickets at the door
Yes, we will have t-shirts for sale
Yes, there will be cake
Remember to be kind to one another – we are all we’ve got.
