Dear Friends & Sponsors of the Velvet Lounge:

First, a big thank you to all of you in the Velvet Lounge community for all of your love and support, we know all of you have been waiting anxiously for news regarding the fate of the Velvet Lounge, and for some accounting of what has happened with all the money that has been raised. Thanks to your generosity so far, the major construction at the new space is pretty much completed. This includes inner walls, doors, bathrooms, plumbing, electrical, stage, and bar. The new space is really starting to look great! The costs for this have been almost exactly equal to what has been raised so far, but there is still just a little ways to go; all that remains is a little more in the way of signage, electrical fixtures, trims, sound, bar accoutrements, and furnishings (anything that can be transferred from the old space will be, but some of it needs repair and a little new stuff is needed), so if there is anyone left out there that can find it within themselves to help us get those last few yard to the goal line, it would be a true blessing. Our profound hope is that the new space can open virtually free of any debt overhead so that all club revenues can go to meeting the higher rent overhead associated with the new location. On to the sad news: It is definite that Saturday, April 1 will be the last performance in that classic, magical old space we all know and love. So the next two weeks are your last chance to come experience the Velvet Lounge in its original historic incarnation. Also please keep in mind that due to the vagaries of the city's new permitting/licensing/safety inspection process it could be several more months before the new space opens, especially since we have to have every last nail and chair in place before they will even come and look at the place. So come check out the music now at the following last shows, because we are all going to be in withdrawal during the hiatus:

Wednesday, March 22: Greg Ward & Friends
Thursday, March 23: Vincent Davis & Percussion Plus! with special guest Ed Wilkerson
Friday, March 24: Nicole Mitchell & Black Earth with special guest Hamid Drake
Sat, March 25: BENEFIT w/ Fred Anderson, Harrison Bankhead, Hamid Drake
Sunday, March 26: The last Jazz Jam hosted by Jabari Liu
Wednesday, March 29: Greg Ward & Friends
Thursday, March 30: Vincent Davis & Percussion Plus! with special guest Ed Wilkerson
Friday, March 31: Somebody's Trio + One, featuring Greg Ward, Karl E. H. Seigfried, Isaiah Spencer, w/special guest Ernest Dawkins
Sat, April 1: Closing Night w/ Avreeayl Ra, Edward Wilkerson, Jeff Parker

Finally, after the closing, bits and pieces of the old Velvet that are not being transferred will be offered for sale, and we will be in desperate need of volunteers to help move stuff to the new location on Sunday, April 2, as well as Saturday & Sunday, April 8-9 (please dress in work clothes and bring boxes, rags, and cleaning supplies). Our tireless volunteer Andy will be in charge of coordinating volunteers, as well as the bidding on any memorabilia. Please contact him at uptown1925@hotmail.com or (773) 381-3630.

Once again, thanks for being part of the Velvet Lounge community, without all of you there would be no music; and please join us in a toast to the passing of a legendary Chicago music venue, and its transformation to Chicago's next big thing at 67 E. Cermak!

Sincerely,

Fred Anderson & the Velvet Volunteers