5/31/15

I feel sorry for Cambridge.

When you have announcements of T.T the Bears Place closing and then Weirdo Records folding within a week, you know this is a sign of the times. 

When I first came to Boston in the Fall of 1998, Cambridge was only just beginning to feel the squeeze. Star Market was still THE place to shop, Central Square was drab and dark and I still kick myself for not eating at Pu Pu Hot Pot and Sandy’s was still the shaggy, old, hound dog, protecting his territory.

There is a certain jaundice one acquires whilst residing in Boston. Whether it’s the deterioration of the Red Sox, maybe you’re the offspring of some legendary ship wreck or you're a direct descendent of the Cod Fish Aristocracy, the inherent sadness one wears here is unavoidable. Obdurate. That’s BOSTON.

The “Shawshank Treatment” I think they call it. If you swim through a Charles River length of shit and come out clean on the other side, you may be worthy of respect. Maybe. Still, you have to earn it and even then, there are no promises. Without that true test of durability, Boston marks you as absent. Perhaps that means one is slowly making an impact, even if it means you symbolize the kind of change some people hate.

TT the Bears Place is a great, GREAT venue. I still have to ask though, in fairness, how many mid- sized rooms can survive in such a small proximity to each other? Cambridge, is always going to be a Mecca for live, quality music. However, if Boston can't hold onto these performers, they will seek another location. What made these places great are the reasons why they are now trendy. You have to keep the arts supported in your community if you want your neighborhood to maintain that attraction. 

Do your part. Support the Arts.