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Sleater-Kinney roll call

bags
Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 8545
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 04:40 AM UTC #
Two major problems – there was a fire in one of the manholes right outside the entrance to the club, and there were noxious (ie, poisonous) fumes. Hence, they closed the Will Call Window about 9:30. You could actually smell the fumes.

Then, according to the Fire Marshall, it was possible that a transformer beneath the club could blow due to the earlier fire, not only cutting the electricity out, but possibly resulting in fires.

I'm as disappointed as anyone, especially as I am leaving town Friday for a full week and will likely miss a rescheduled show. I had a friend come down from NYC (because our first show together, of about 100, was Sleater-Kinney in 2000). Bummer, bummer.

I met a crew of kids who drove all the way down from Providence, Rhode Island, and another couple who flew in from Calgary. More bummers.

It's incredibly disappointing, but I don't know how you can fault anyone. The club has had thousands of sold out shows in all kinds of weather, but this was a real threat. I'm sure no one wanted to cancel.

I have no idea how they will handle rescheduling or refunds, but I know the club will do the best they can.

Sorry for everyone who was so pumped to see Janet shred those skins.
bags
Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 8545
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 04:42 AM UTC #
Originally posted by anarchist:
i can see canceling the show but why did they have to cancel the webcast?
Uhm, if the band isn't playing, what are they supposed to webcast??
bags
Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 8545
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 04:44 AM UTC #
Originally posted by laggyElf:
how can they give refunds?

& since they don't give refunds, why in the world would I purchase a ticket for the next-go-around,
do you have a ticket stub? Enough said. And if you have one, you will not have to buy a new ticket. Use just a little brain power on this one…

Who said they're not giving refunds?

And they have had thousands of shows. Yes, in extreme heat, with no problems. We've had extended heat across not only DC, not only the Mid-Atlantic, not only the Northeast. Things happen. Ask the folks in Queens who had no power for 9 days. Things could be worse.
whichthat
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 04:46 AM UTC #
I hope that by Thursday Pepco will figure out how to keep the lights on (assuming they'll even play then – pure wishing on my part). Just out of curiosity, though, how much wattage does a 9:30 Club concert suck up in the summer? The AC, the speakers, refrigeration … it has to be intense.

My answers to the other questions:

(1) Carrie.

(2) Greil Marcus' piece on them for Esquire after "The Hot Rock" came out. My friend and I still crack ourselves up by quoting from it. One line went something like, "'Start Together' is like being locked in a room with Francis Bacon paintings on the walls and being told to choose which one is you or DIE." High-larious.
Darth Ed
Joined: May 19, 2003 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1159
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 04:56 AM UTC #
Well, my heart goes out to all the S-K fans who drove or flew for many hours and at considerable cost only to miss out on one of S-K's final shows. I sincerely hope they re-schedule the show in the coming week or so, but I'm skeptical. Kind of a worse-case scenario with S-K going on "indefinite hiatus" in a couple weeks, but I guess we can still hope.

Had a bad feeling the show would be cancelled when I arrived around 8:50pm and saw the fire truck out front and the police tape around the front entrance. Was pleasantly surprised and relieved when they directed us to go through the Backbar entrance instead. Still incredibly disappointing when they shut the show down.

For what it's worth, I was pretty impressed with the Rogers Sisters. They only had one song that I didn't like, and the rest totally rocked! Great opening band. I'm going to have to pick up one of their albums, I think.
eddie
Joined: September 23, 1999 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 5166
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:02 AM UTC #
The schedules have matched and we are going to reschedule for Thursday. Doors at 7:30, S-K at 9:00. We will post instructions here tomorrow morning about getting into the show on Thursday.
As to the logistics which led to tonight's cancellation: Yes, there were fire and law enforcement at the club (during the openers set) shortly after Josh noticed acrid smelling smoke billowing out of one of the grates in front of the club. As soon as Pepco and the Fire Department ascertained that it wasn't an errant cigarette burning some trash but was rather a transformer in an increasing state of instability, the show was cancelled. It wasn't a decision we made really, it was an order from the Fire Department. Thanks to everyone for evacuating in such an orderly (by and large) fashion. Our apologies for not having all of the answers while the incident was in progress but our priorities were elsewhere. We will have all our ducks lined up in the morning.
We will not be relying on Pepco for our power on Thursday.
andyrichter
Joined: September 17, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 996
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:06 AM UTC #
I thought the Roger Sisters were good and I'll be picking up a cd of theirs soon.
andyrichter
Joined: September 17, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 996
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:11 AM UTC #
This might be a stupid question but aren't you guys worried about another possible heat related problem on Thursday as it's supposed to reach 100 again? Or is that a non issue now since you're not relying on PEPCO for power?
MissFortune
Joined: October 18, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 37
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:16 AM UTC #
The schedules have matched and we are going to reschedule for Thursday
Thanks for the quick update.
Rupert Pupkin
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:27 AM UTC #
Please don't tell us we all have to suffer through the shitty opening act again on thursday!
Rupert Pupkin
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:29 AM UTC #
btw, whats the deal with people who paid for parking?
bfactor
Joined: September 17, 2004 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 15
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:30 AM UTC #
Originally posted by eddie:
[QB] The schedules have matched and we are going to reschedule for Thursday. Doors at 7:30, S-K at 9:00. We will post instructions here tomorrow morning about getting into the show on Thursday.

Thanks guys if this works out you rule as usual. I assume we'll be able to enter with a ticket stub. Some of us would have taken the chance of immolation to see one last show but I understand the fire marshall may not be as big a fan. The stage announcement I heard was just that the lights might all go out, which didn't seem like that big a threat, but if there was really a chance of a big bang it was the right call. Feel bad for the road warriors who made the trip though. Incidentally, amazing job keeping the club from being sweltering (unless that's what caused the power issue?) The old place would have been hot enough to roast a chicken tonight.
Stever
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:30 AM UTC #
Exactly. It was a situation where it was evacuate first and ask questions later. Obviously the order would not have come down to cancel the show unless it was a potentially dangerous situation. So to those in the parking lot who weren't satisfied with calling the club the next day to settle the matter of their parking costs, I beg you, PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE. I can't believe and may never be able to believe the audacity of a select few who were more preoccupied with demanding a definitive answer when told one didn't exist at the time, than they were getting themselves, and the dozens of people they were holding up in the process, the hell out of there. It's not in the club's best interest to take advantage of their patrons with something as petty as a $10 parking space when there were a plethera of more legitamite concerns at the time. Frankly, it's scary to me knowing that when a potential crisis situation materializes, I could be stuck behind some self-absorbed douchebag who can't put things in perspective and realize now is not the time to pitch a hissy-fit.


(The thoughts expressed by me do not necessarily reflect those of the 9:30 Club or any of it's staff. Just a personal observation.)
ggw
Joined: December 16, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 14237
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:35 AM UTC #
Best Conversation Overheard While Exiting:

Chick #1: I can't believe it's cancelled. This is unbelievable.

Chick #2: I know – it sucks!

Chick #1: Maybe we could blame it on Israel.

Chick #2: Yeah….they're bombing random villages and stuff.
Stever
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:36 AM UTC #
P.S.

So be assured if you did park there tonight, there will be a fair and swift resolution.
Rupert Pupkin
Joined: Unknown
Posts: 0
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 05:46 AM UTC #
I showed up at the club around 9 and paid $10 dollars for parking without getting a receipt. What the hell can they possibly do?
thatguy
Joined: October 20, 1999 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 1268
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 07:52 AM UTC #
eddie covered most of it, but i'd like to reiterate the thanks to the majority of the crowd that made this evacuation as smooth as it was. i know that everyone was very excited for the show, and that nobody wanted to leave, but i appreciate the cooperation of our patrons this evening.

we developed an evacuation plan a few years back and this was the first time we really had to use it, with the added difficulty of not being able to use the front doors as an exit. luckilly, everyone got out safely and relatively quickly. hopefully we'll never have to do it again, but i'm glad to know that our plan works in practice as well as in theory. again, thank you. i hope that everyone can make it back for the rescheduled show.
K8teebug
Joined: August 03, 2004 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 4126
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 11:38 AM UTC #
I'm guessing that you're talking about this Thursday, and not next Thursday. Please please please mean this Thursday as I'll be out of town driving all over the country for work next Thursday.

I was definitely sad last night, but I'm sure I'll feel better after seeing them on Thursday. Definitely a better experience than Bull Run a few years back at the Radiohead show that never happened.
bags
Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC
Posts: 8545
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 12:09 PM UTC #
Wow, I'm going to be able to make it to the rescheduled show. I can't believe it – whoopee, and thanks for such swift action (both in the new date and getting the info out, etc. I personally felt we were given all the info we needed last night, and the whole thing was handled really well. Thanks and congrats – never an easy situation with all those fans pumped, and throw on top the band is disbanding! Whew!!!)
Nietzsche
Joined: May 16, 2002 at 05:01 AM UTC
Posts: 71
Re: Sleater-Kinney roll call August 02, 2006 at 12:26 PM UTC #
Eddie and thatguy,

Thanks for making it a priority to let the board know about the rescheduling plans. I imagine you both had better things to do a few hours after the club was evacuated. I knew when the show was cancelled that there would be a timely and professional response from the staff, as there always is.
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