THE WAR ON CULTURE:
LANDLORD WANTS TO SHUT DOWN WICKER PARK'S DOUBLE DOOR
On June 9, 2005 Double Door, Chicago's preeminent small music venue, will be fighting for its very existence before Cook County Chancery Judge Billik. The trial, whereby Double Door is seeking to enforce an extension to its lease, is set to begin at 2PM at the Cook County Courthouse, Room 2601 in the Daley Center. The trial hinges upon Double Door's position that it appropriately notified the owners of the building, Harry and Brian Strauss, of its intention to exercise its option in it's lease. The Strauss' dispute this claim.
Double Door has become a fixture in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood and an integral part of the cultural and music scene in Chicago since it's opening in 1994. The club has played host to some of the biggest bands in the world including The Rolling Stones, bringing national and international exposure to Chicago. Double Door served as the site for debut material from two albums of Chicago's own Smashing Pumpkins. Artists like Kid Rock, Macy Gray, The Strokes and The Killers have all graced the Double Door stage early in their careers. The club has nurtured the careers of many of Chicago's most successful local artists including Chevelle, Local H and Liquid Soul.
The Strauss family has no interest in preserving the cultural integrity of the neighborhood or the Double Door. It is their intention to force the closure of Double Door and to replace it with a national retail chain.
Double Door filed its suit against the Strauss family knowing that it has met its obligations under the lease. This trial will determine whether the institution that is Double Door will remain a fixture in Wicker Park and a key part of the cultural and musical scene in Chicago.
Chicago's musical landscape will not be the same without Double Door.
TAKE ACTION!
Attend the court hearing on June 9th, 2005 at 2pm at the Cook County Courthouse, Room 2601 in Daley Center.
Write a letter to Alderman Manny Flores expressing your support for Double Door at ward01@cityofchicago.org
Sample letter:
Dear Alderman Flores,
I am writing to express my concern over the fate of venerable Chicago music venue Double Door. Double Door is currently involved in a court battle with their landlords over their lease agreement. The outcome of this lawsuit will determine the future of the club.
Double Door is an integral part of the cultural and music scene in Chicago, and has nurtured the careers of many local and national artists since opening in 1994. Double Door has brought attention, visitors and culture to our city, and to lose this institution would be a great blow to Chicago's musical landscape.
(ADD YOUR PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH DOUBLE DOOR HERE – Did your band play at Double Door? Do you love to come to Double Door for shows? Etc.)
I strongly urge you to join me in supporting Double Door in their fight to remain open and continue to bring great music to Chicago for many years to come.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
Write a letter to the editor expressing your support for Double Door -
Chicago Sun-Times - letters@suntimes.com <mailto:letters@suntimes.com>
Chicago Tribune – ctc-TribLetter@tribune.com <mailto:ctc-TribLetter@tribune.com>
Chicago Reader - letters@chicagoreader.com <mailto:letters@chicagoreader.com>
Sample letter:
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my concern over the fate of venerable Chicago music venue Double Door. Double Door is currently involved in a court battle with their landlords over their lease agreement. The outcome of this lawsuit will determine the future of the club.
Double Door is an integral part of the cultural and music scene in Chicago, and has nurtured the careers of many local and national artists since opening in 1994. Double Door has brought attention, visitors and culture to our city, and to lose this institution would be a great blow to Chicago's musical landscape.
(ADD YOUR PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH DOUBLE DOOR HERE – Did your band play at Double Door? Do you love to come to Double Door for shows? Etc.)
I strongly urge all Chicago music fans to join me in supporting Double Door in their fight to remain open and continue to bring great music to Chicago for many years to come.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
|