The Gypsy Tea Room closed this weekend for good. People don't go out and see live music like they used to. Sad face.
Well, the DMN does a piece on its closure -- the kind of grave mark-its-passage that daily newspapers like to crap out at times like these.
Critic Thor Christensen always tries to take a contrarian position whenever he possibly can. So his piece skips over the club's money problems and decline of Deep Ellum with a theory that Gypsy Tea Room failed because it was smoky and noisy.
"...there was the constant haze of cigarette smoke, thick enough to make even chain-smokers gag. ... But the main curse of the Gypsy was the maddening amount of crowd noise" with "a bunch of people cracking jokes or screaming into their cellphones."
A rock club with smokers and noisy clubgoers? No wonder it tanked.
His other big beef was that the GTR had NO SEATING. No place to plop his behind whilst watching rock shows. But don't worry, as the piece ends with "good news":
"The Gypsy-size Granada and Lakewood theaters are smoke-free, listener-friendly spots where you can actually sit in a chair if you like."
Comments
kirk Anonymous
I bet he likes the Granada because they serve pinot grigio, too. Or as food critic K.H. would call it, fruity and lively pinot grigio.
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Erin Rice Staff
Sit in a chair? What? Should I also order a pink wine spritzer to go with my metal/rock/punk/indie bands? Goodness, what a baby.
I must say I am sad that GTR went out without a bang. When I was listening to the Edge today it sounded almost like the DJ had no clue it was closing. As he was talking about the Plain White T's performance he simply said, "and I think that's actually the last show at the Gypsy Tea Room." And that was it. Not even an "and that sucks," or anything. It's too bad, but I suppose if I and other people in Dallas made a bigger deal it could have had that amazing last night. But we didn't. So I really can't complain too much. sigh
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chad Jones Staff
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
James Scott Verified
LOL, nice Chad. I don't now Thor (made up name?), but that's exactly what I picture reading that piece. I guess he thinks HOB is the end-all be-all to live music in Dallas. I guess that was an editorial, so he can say whatever he wants, but what makes him think that the reason they closed is because you couldn't "sit down" or because the crowd was "too loud"? I guess he'll be frequenting all the great shows to come at the Deep Ellum Church, or Onstage, or whatever that place is called. No alcohol, I assume no smoking, and I'm going to guess no fun.
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
KathrynHopper Anonymous
I'm also O-L-D! I remember when this point was brought up six years ago by the Dallas Observer! I loved the bit in this story about Thor losing it to the Beastie Boys' doing "Sabotage."
http://www.dallasobserver.com/2002-06...
Here's another link with a real photo and Thor's musings on the DFW music scene including this line: "Unfortunately a lot of what is coming out of Dallas are mediocre pop singers like Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson and Lee Ann Rimes."
http://www.onmilwaukee.com/music/arti...
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jeremy Dunck Staff
Hey, T, you got called out by Zac in that Observer piece.
Ya gotta love the web. Apparently we're all O-L-D. :)
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Michael Davis Verified
The thought process (for a lack of a better term) in that article shows exactly why Deep Ellum was ignored and left to die by the Mayor and most council members.
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
hey michael - thanks for understanding what i was trying to say, you nailed it. it wasn't really my goal with this blog item to pile on thor (not too much! just for fun). my point was that focusing on trivial issues like smoke and noise seemed wrong-headed and not really germane, especially when there were other things to say about the closure of GTR and what it represents. appreciate your wisdom, as always
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
porcino Anonymous
Instead of talking about who is gone from Deep Ellum , think about who still here, Daddy Jacks Wood Grill, Deep Sushi, S.Pete's, .... and new arrivals Kims Cafe', Rush Patissery and others.. the real survivors!
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Michael Davis Verified
Thanks Teresa.
I have a few friends that write for the DMN but I'll still let them have it. I was so shocked when they gave me a front-page quote two weeks ago the editors must've been on vaca that day...
RIP the GTR
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
lakewooder Anonymous
You can smoke in the Balcony Club at the Lakewood Theater and also at the new venue downstairs. Doesn't seem to hurt the crowds - try to find a table. But don't worry, people are even friendly to oldsters.
1 year, 3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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