Sonar is still open, but the Talking Head is being phased out
Sun writer Mark Gross and I made some calls this morning and found out more information about Sonar's line being disconnected and rumors of the Talking Head closing.
Though its Web site survived and its Twitter account continued to be updated, the direct line to Sonar, 410-783-7888, was disconnected.
Surely, this must be an ominous sign, right?
Manager Lauren Friant cleared the air. Friant says the disconnected number was an "accident." Apparently, someone forgot to pay the bill ...
That said, the line should be reconnected today, says Friant, and all scheduled shows are a go for both Sonar and the Talking Head.
Soon after Mark spoke to Friant, talent buyer Adam Savage called me with some details about the Talking Head. The powers that be at Sonar are interested in turning the Talking Head room into a lounge again, potentially with food, Savage said. The space will still host shows -- just sporadically, Savage said.
"I didn't want to make some big thing about it closing, because I don't want it to close," he said. "But I'm not actively booking it."
(Baltimore Sun archive photo)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
do I smell an IRE in your futures? Also-- do music venues still need a good old fashioned phone line? I vote no.
Posted by: samanthasessa | November 4, 2009 1:09 PM
Technically, licensees are required to have a telephone pursuant to Board Rule 3.13.I can't say I've ever heard of an inspector writing someone up for that.
Posted by: LiquorBoarding | November 4, 2009 3:32 PM
So what's this all about?
http://www.talkingheadclub.com/new_site/
Posted by: Jed | November 4, 2009 4:04 PM
That's the Talking Head's old location. I'd say it's very very unlikely they'd move back there, to be honest.
Posted by: steve | November 5, 2009 7:53 AM
totally sucks. as a performer at the talking head in excess of 2-3 times a week sometimes over the years, it makes me really sad to see that this great club and the name attached to it has been ran into oblivion by the powers that be to the point that its no longer profitable to anybody involved. if it were my venture, i would have made sure that it never got to this point and was always respected and appreciated, the way i appreciated it and seeing so many shows there. i certainly hope this isnt the nail in the coffin for this club, i would really miss seeing shows in the current space.
Posted by: shawnphase | November 11, 2009 6:26 AM
The Talking Head Club was never really profitable. Don't take this the wrong way, because it was the greatest strength of the club. It was a labor of love, and especially at Davis Street was a place for creativity first and business second. The "powers that be" at Sonar are the same people who were responsible for the creative environment at the Talking Head and I'm sure they didn't treat the decision lightly. My thanks go out to them for helping promote the growth of a now-thriving music scene for many years, and will continue to be a part of for many years,
Posted by: Guy | November 12, 2009 1:27 PM