Blogs

Stop going to Jazz Night at Amnesia! The Django Rhinehart Reinhardt-inspired Gaucho (lastnight with Ralph Carney sitting in on clarinet, flute, other flute, bouzouki, theremin, double-necked flying v … kidding about some of those) is good, but it's not for young pretty people, so stop showing up. And as for Mitch Marcus' bebop combo, um, JAZZ IS FOR DORKS, and little hipster cuties need to stop locking their bikes up outside and just give us our neighborhood bar back. Who rips up the floor with partner-dances anymore? Who are you people? Go home! Or at least please look more haggard and schlubby. Some of us just want to be able to get to the bar (let alone sit in a seat! Jesus!) and enjoy our outdated musical genre in peace. --Hiya Swanhuyser

Eli's Mile High Club in Oakland is the latest casualty of tough times. Here's a note from club owner and local musician Sam Marshall, which landed on our clubs editor's desk:

It is with great sadness...

Due to an intolerable rent increase, Eli's is being forced to close its doors - again. We feel this is a loss to our community and the community of musicians that have brought us their talents and gifts.

Thank you all for your support, our doors are now "Closed."

Sam Marshall & Laura Jans

The club's had quite a history: Its first owner, Eli Thornton, was shot by his mistress - a Blues singer - while he was tending bar in 1979, and a few owners later, "the club fell on hard times, closing its doors on most nights of the week." --Janine Kahn