The Spitz - more property developer schizzle

[twistedAM]

just got this in...


Save The Spitz Press Release

Over the last two weeks there has been intense media and industry speculation about the future of The Spitz. This press release is a preliminary announcement of what is actually happening; the launch of the campaign to Save The Spitz and what positive action you can take.

The facts are that The Spitz has been given six months notice to quit its current site in Old Spitalfields Market by its landlords Ballymore Properties. This means in a worst case scenario The Spitz would cease to exist by the end of September this year.

Now in its twelfth year The Spitz has established an internationally recognised reputation as London’s leading independent non-mainstream music venue and a gallery that specializes in socially aware photo journalism. The irony of the threatened closure is that The Spitz venue has its strongest ever music programme with the current sell out Spitz Festival of Blues and two more festivals planned for August (Spitz Festival of Country) and September (The Spitz Festival of Folk) with numerous other one off promotions. The Spitz Gallery also has a very strong programme including the forthcoming Chernobyl exhibition by Magnum photographer Paul Fusco called” Twenty One Years of Fall Out”.

Up until the end of September (and hopefully beyond!) it will be 100% business as usual.

What Can You Do To Help Save The Spitz?

Up until the end of September the most immediate way to support The Spitz is by using it as much as possible. Whether you book a table in the restaurant for lunch or hold your party in the gallery or come and see a gig we would be delighted to see you. Please show your support by voting with your feet.

If you can support The Spitz in a specific way such as editorial if you’re a journalist or financial if you work in the City or anything else please email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> .

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Fuck um. Rupert loved me and left me and now won't return my calls.



Despite that they have put on some good stuff and it would be a shame to see them go.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

what are Ballymore gonna do with it, more posh drink'n'food? London has precious few venues like that it's a shame, but then the whole Spitalfields transformation is shit too.

 

[Dr. Furface]

'The Spitz has established an internationally recognised reputation as London’s leading independent non-mainstream music venue'

You sure about that?! Venues like Koko and The Scala (and a few more beside) are way ahead of The Spitz in that respect.

I'm all for keeping the joint going though.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

'The Spitz has established an internationally recognised reputation as London’s leading independent non-mainstream music venue'

You sure about that?! Venues like Koko and The Scala (and a few more beside) are way ahead of The Spitz in that respect.

I'm all for keeping the joint going though.

Can't see shit like koko or the scala putting on bob log III. If you think the Rakes are edgy and alternative though. . . . .

 

[DJWrongspeed]

'The Spitz has established an internationally recognised reputation as London’s leading independent non-mainstream music venue'

You sure about that?! Venues like Koko and The Scala (and a few more beside) are way ahead of The Spitz in that respect.

I'm all for keeping the joint going though.

You really compare Koko & The Scala (sounds shit in there) with the spitz, they're totally different kinds of venues. You could argue that the Luminaire has poached some of it's innovative programming but it's still a tiny venue, London is a big culturally important place.

 

[ohmyliver]

what are Ballymore gonna do with it, more posh drink'n'food? London has precious few venues like that it's a shame, but then the whole Spitalfields transformation is shit too.

couldn't agree more.... I look out of the flat I'm shareing's kitchen and see the city inch eastwards like a shiney 80's style corporate glacier...

it might be worth them getting intouch with the boho superrich in the streets between bricklane and commercial street

 

[Dr. Furface]

Can't see shit like koko or the scala putting on bob log III. If you think the Rakes are edgy and alternative though. . . . .

I was just making the point - or trying to - that that description of the Spitz makes it seem a whole lot bigger and more important a venue than it is. I'm all for keeping it open, but really it's nothing special.

 

[twistedAM]

I was just making the point - or trying to - that that description of the Spitz makes it seem a whole lot bigger and more important a venue than it is. I'm all for keeping it open, but really it's nothing special.

I think it fills a very important niche and therefore is quite important. Would be a true shame if London was all trendy Shoreditch/Camden venues all puting on the next big thing according to NME or Vice - not that the Spitz is all blues, alt.country and leftfield; iirc they had Los Campesinos first london gig recently.

 

[Sunray]

Ignorance born of greed.

Its a nice venue and I've enjoyed every gig and the foods OK too.

Anything else they do in there will be pants simply because what makes it good is the people who run have more than half a brain.

 

[A Dashing Blade]

Guy who runs the Arkensaw Cafe said that Smiths Of Smithfield are taking it over

 

[twistedAM]

ah shit..cue Smiths of Spitalfields

 

[Sunray]

That whole area has been homogenised, I'd not recommend it to anyone.

 

[ohmyliver]

Hmm... not totally homogenised... for example The Pride of Spitalfields is still an ace propah pub, etc... but the actual market is fully covent gardened up

 

[Sunray]

Very true, but one pub does not make an area.

I used to live round there and it was genuinely a nice place to live, with a few nice bars (um just five if memory serves me) round Shoreditch way and Spitalfields market on a Sat with its quirky selection. It use to change pretty regularly with people trying new things.

Now its Starbucked to oblivion.

 

[RubyToogood]

I've just heard about this and am appalled. It's a great venue that puts on some great music. I've played there once with someone else's band and it's one of my ambitions to play there with my own. I'd urge everyone to at least sign the petition. You can also donate via Paypal (The Spitz is run by a charity).

http://www.spitz.co.uk/save_the_spitz.htm

 

[art of fact]

the spitz was a decent venue it will be a shame

 

[twistedAM]

I've just heard about this and am appalled. It's a great venue that puts on some great music. I've played there once with someone else's band and it's one of my ambitions to play there with my own. I'd urge everyone to at least sign the petition. You can also donate via Paypal (The Spitz is run by a charity).

http://www.spitz.co.uk/save_the_spitz.htm

You should contact Rupert about that Festival of Folk thing that he has coming up.
He's a nice guy.
Tell him you played our joint with Rose Kemp and that I said Hi.