Bowery/Roxy Update – From the Horse’s Mouth This Time
[Dan from the Edinburgh University Settlement, who are currently administering the Roxy Art House and therefore the Bowery recently left a comment on Monday's thread, where we were discussing the fate of the Bowery. Because this is something we're all rather passionate about I thought I would elevate his comment to a new post, so we can all read it and hopefully ask some questions.
I'd also like to say that I really appreciate his coming on the site to tell us what's going on, because it would have been easy enough to dismiss it all and just carry on with what they are up to, safe in the knowledge that people don't tend to hold grudges for long and that it would all be forgotten by 99% of people within a few months. So, in other words, please respect his willingness to chip in and if you ask questions keep them on topic and civillised. Anything I consider out of order will be deleted.]
Just found all this, wow it’s great you all are so passionate about the Bowery, this is something I can totally respect and agree with. However there’s loads of conjecture going on here and I don’t think it’s helpful. I’m currently helping manage the Roxy and am employed by EUS. Some of you will probably know me from the place.
EUS completely support and respect the Bowery and what’s it has done and hopefully will continue to do. We’ve supported it so much we’ve essentially subsidised it’s existance over the past year as we also want to support this community and grassroots arts. The reason you didn’t get an answer out of the person you called is because you (both) spoke to the director of the EUS and believe it or not that was the first mention he’d heard of it, as EUS are not kicking the Bowery out of the building. He understood you were a journalist calling up about something he thought was incorrect. It was nothing to do with ‘the likes of you’ as the likes of you = the likes of us.
There are some changes going on (ie the general manager position) as for the building to continue to exist we have to increase revenue in order to pay the mortgage and upkeep etc so as not to lose it and get it turned into luxury flats (which is what we saved it from) however we aim to do this in the fairest, most open way possible and with the involvement and dialogue with the community using it.
I also manage other projects within the EUS and this place require someone to be focused just on it And yes there probably was some miscommunication with the Bowery about this and for this we are truly sorry, but we have really tried to be as open as possible.
As Jane says, the best way to support the place is to come down and drink there, go to gigs there, spread the word to other bands to play there, try and encourage touring bands and promoters to use the upstairs hall. It all goes to the same place – paying the mortgage and ideally helping more of us get work within the arts we love. Any other questions feel free to email me (my email address is the one on the Roxy website) or I’ll try and check back here.
Keep on keeping on, Dan
