The Division Avenue Arts Collective is suddenly being evicted, but other venues may step in to host some shows. The volunteer-run group seeks community support and advice to continue its mission.
DAAC Closing its Doors: The final show will be held on July 30. (Photo/Courtesy of the DAAC)
By Mary Mattingly
LocalSpins.com
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Another all-ages venue, regrettably, is biting the dust … but hopefully not for long.
The Division Avenue Arts Collective announced this week that it will be closing its doors. After almost a decade of serving Grand Rapids as a venue hosting community events, performances and art exhibitions, the DAAC is being forced to vacate its location at 115 S. Division Ave.
“This has been a total shock to everyone involved,” John Hanson, DAAC board member, told Local Spins. “We’re staying positive though.”
INFORMED BY LANDLORD THAT SPACE MUST BE VACATED BY AUG. 1
On July 15, the board received an email through a contact with the landlord, informing the DAAC that the space had been sold to Harris Lofts LLC and that it must be vacated by August 1. Though initially not believing this short notice to be legal, it soon became clear that like it or not, the DAAC was being displaced from the venue it had called home for the past decade.
Frontier Ruckus
“We didn’t want to be a thorn in anyone’s side,” Hanson said. “We respect our landlord and have been cooperative.”
Due to the venue’s sudden eviction, all programming in August and beyond has been canceled. The venue is currently working on finding new homes for all previous scheduled performances.
“There are a few houses in town [such as] Hen House, Bird House, Neighborhood [that] we have connections with,” said the DAAC’s Charity Klein. “Vertigo offered to host some, and possibly Mulligan’s if they have dates open, but there really are no good spaces in town other than the first two that would house our all-ages crowd and the size.”
Hanson, who has been on the board of the DAAC for two years, remembers how the venue has served as an introduction to Grand Rapids for musicians.
“[The DAAC] has always been a part of the musical experience for me,” Hanson said. “Anyone can play a show there. Over the years, [the DAAC] has attracted a lot of do-it-yourself musicians and people just getting their start in music.”
FINAL SHOW TO FEATURE FRONTIER RUCKUS, PAUCITY, MORE
To commemorate the DAAC’s current space, a ‘blowout show’ has been planned for July 30. Starting at 7 p.m. with a potluck, bands will begin playing at 8 p.m with outfits such as Frontier Ruckus and Paucity on the bill. The show is accepting donations to fund a new space for the DAAC.
Photo/Courtesy of the DAAC
“It was put together in about a week, which is amazing,” Hanson said. “It just goes to show how many people love the DAAC. Frontier Ruckus is even willing to drive halfway across the state for the show.”
Though this eviction has been sudden, board members are taking it in stride.
“The DAAC was not at peak potential,” Hanson said. “There needed to be a change, regeneration need to happen. This is a wake-up call to get people involved.”
The organization thrives on volunteer work and Hanson sees it as an opportunity for people to become involved once again, bringing the DAAC to the level it can potentially reach.
“So many people love the DAAC and don’t want to see it fail,” Hanson said. “I have no doubts that the DAAC will resurface as a bigger and better organization that runs more efficiently.”
The DAAC is currently open to community support and advice.
“If people offer suggestions or their place we will take it into consideration,” Klein said.
To stay informed, sign up for email updates at www.thedaac.org.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
