2009 -TOM PASTORIUS RE-PURCHASES THE PENN BREWERY - VERY GOOD NEWS

[Dr. Nelson Harrison]

Please add your comments of encouragement and support for tom. He has been a wonderful friend of the live music community and we can all come back and help him make the Brewery a bright spot it used to be under his ownership before he retired.

[Ben]

this is common to places all over the country. It also is because many folks won't get out to support the economical side so businesses don't make money and that is the name of the game........There must be a draw to bring in people. Smooth Jazz or newer venues attract more dollars......An example I know is Paul Taylor who went to UNLV like myself. Paul can play any of the saxes really wonderfully and skilllfully....He has made many cd's in the smooth Jazz genre and has gained popularity. People will pay to see him,,,,..and he still plays mainline if given the opportunity here but his forte is smooth jazz.......Las Vegas has difficulty although the Jazz Society here is trying hard..and many good musicians are available......When you get Jazz in your blood (sense-wise) it is impossible to lose that love for this feeling..........

[Trish Virgin]

We will miss the Blues Orphans at the Brewery. A door closing to find another opening? That is the question...

[Ben]

Another way (not good) is to offer the management to play for a percentage of the people in the club or restaurant and bring friends and lovers there....That way the business gets it''s money and if the musicians can find supporters they can have that place to play.........not easy..........stay with it..........BT

[George Heid]

Once again, this the the classic story of Corporate Agenda... Individual artistry and creativity need not apply. The Corporate bottom line is all that matters. And in the end it's the "once size fits all" scenario. There will be plenty of Chicken McNuggets for everyone!!! Gourmet chefs, also need not apply.

There is hope... it's at the grass roots level and remember "Yes We CAN" !!! ... I think we need to consistently offer music that's soul stirring and worth going out to hear and make it happen anywhere you can. That might be the one place the Corporate growth model doesn't have a lock on.

I like the posts (i.e. fine artists like Tony Campbell and Dwayne Dolphin list) that let all who access this site, know where they're playing. Mensah Wali and Gail Austin have the Kente Arts Alliance. They have brought some of the most gifted masters of the music to Pittsburgh. That's an organization and these are individuals that deserves our support and attendance. Harold Young has brought artists to parks and hosts concerts throughout the summer in the east hills of Pittsburgh. There's the great Roger Humphries and his stellar quintet at CJ's each Thursday starting at 8:00 PM. As a community who loves these artists and this music we need to start with what we have and build from there. I hope to support and make the only contribution one person can give and that's to be there.

Thank you for letting me express my feeling on the subject.

[The Firehouse Lounge]

The Strip District on Thursday nights is really supporting the jazz scene and the businesses are all locally owned.

From 7-11pm you can hear Etta Cox and Friends (no cover) at the Firehouse Lounge
AND just a few blocks away you can
catch the great Roger Humphries at CJ's from 8-midnight.

Some more info:

The Firehouse Lounge
www.firehouse-lounge.com

2216 Penn Ave
1/2 priced bottles of wine all night
Kitchen open until 11pm

CJ's
www.cjsinthestrip.com

2911 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
[phone]

[Debi Arnett]

I like coming to Firehouse Lounge. I do so more in summer than winter. Live music is definitely a draw there. I think the same musicians each week arent always the best idea. Having the same group once a month is good and mixing it up to give newer talent an opportunity to shine. The established venues use the same bands and people get bored with that. Get new material or mix it up with new groups. Old standards are good but there is a lot of new music being made out there every day. Better watch out when the casino comes to town. If they bring some real entertainment in they are going to pull all the crowds away. Better start now and set a tone of interest. Half price wine bottles are a big turn-on. Most places are gouging you for small pours of wine so that is a big selling point for me and my associates. A selection of appetizer platters with variety are what we look for when we go out as a group. Nice atmosphere and good service. CJ's Has a lot to offer but it is hard to get in there some nights and I dont want to stand outside in rain and snow to be passed over by people letting others jump in front of them in line. Then the bouncer splits up your party and lets one person stand outside while the rest are inside so we just end up leaving (mixing someone else in that they wanted in the door first). Good service is getting in. I am sure CJ's would value my business on a weeknight but I can stand in the rain if they have a crowd on the weekend..

[George Heid]

Well my friend...

The CJ's doesn't have the same offering on weekends that occur on Thursday night. (8:00 PM) That would not have the lines and splitting up of your group. There's still the dress code (not to heavy of a hurdle) and there's always a good seat... come on down for the GOLD STANDARD of Jazz on THURSDAY NIGHT.

GH

[Dr. Nelson Harrison]

This just in from Dr. roger S. Day aka Professor Beautiful
---May 21, 2009


The Penn Brewery on the North Side,
home of Dick Paul and the All Stars for years,
changed hands and terminated its music last fall.

BUT, there's a spark in the ashes.

Thursday (tomorrow night), 6pm to 9pm,
Dick Paul, Ken Karsh, Denny Kurzowsky
(cornet, guitar, clarinet)
will be playing.

I'll join them (tuba) around 7:30.

Please come out & show the Penn Brewery
that Pittsburgh wants real live music.
And have a beer with me if you want.

- Professor Beautiful

[Dr. Nelson Harrison]

We just learned that the New Owners closed the doors to the Penn Brewery. Apparently their business plan failed. Rumor has it that Tom Pastorius, former owner, may come out of retirement and re-purchase the Brewery. He is looking for investors. We hope he is able to do just that. We have missed the Brewery as a music venue and the Pastorius team as people who know how to do it right.

[Dr. Nelson Harrison]

I heard a credible rumor that Tom Pastorius is seriously considering rebuying the Penn Brewery and re-opening it. It was a total failure under the owners that bought it from him. Any news on this would be welcome to this discussion.

[Dr. Nelson Harrison]

GOOD NEWS! TOM PASTORIUS HAS REPURCHASED THE PENN BREWERY!

PLEASE PASS THIS NEWS ON AND ADD YOUR COMMENTS OF SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO HIM RIGHT HERE.

LETS VISUALIZE THE PENN BREWERY AS A LIVE MUSIC VENUE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE DAY HE RE-INSTITUTES HIS MUSIC POLICY.

Thank you tom and we will support and promote you on this network big time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

[Stephan Broadus]

What's up with that!