Club Boca-Dada-Tinta is Tops!

by Cindy Chaffin of Life Outside The Bubble

Ms. Amanda Newman recently hit the local music scene with such verve that she practically knocked a couple of musicians flat on their adorable arses. With little to no experience in booking bands and venues, much less managing bands, she's made bigger strides in a few short months than yours truly has in almost 7 years.

Bob has turned over much of the booking duties (Club Dada) to Amanda, and between the two of them and the shows they've booked thus far - well suffice to say Club Dada is quickly becoming the place to go for great live music.

David Border writes about the history of Club Dada:

" Club Dada originated with several members of Victor Dada, an avant garde performance art group that performed around town in the early 1980's. It all started at the St. Valentine's Day Sex Massacre at Tahiti's on lower Greenville Avenue, February 14th 1986."

"David Border and Doak Boettiger wanted to have a performance space where Victor Dada could perform and have their own place to drink. Tom Henvey thought that would be a grand idea and joined in. He suggested Deep Ellum was the place to be and indeed it was. The old Blues and Jazz tradition of days gone by created the energy for new music. We were Don Cass's first tenant. The courtyard was the crown jewel. We started out around one third of the original size and kept growing for the next 17 years."

" Club Dada originated with several members of Victor Dada, an avant garde performance art group that performed around town in the early 1980's. It all started at the St. Valentine's Day Sex Massacre at Tahiti's on lower Greenville Avenue, February 14th 1986."

"David Border and Doak Boettiger wanted to have a performance space where Victor Dada could perform and have their own place to drink. Tom Henvey thought that would be a grand idea and joined in. He suggested Deep Ellum was the place to be and indeed it was. The old Blues and Jazz tradition of days gone by created the energy for new music. We were Don Cass's first tenant. The courtyard was the crown jewel. We started out around one third of the original size and kept growing for the next 17 years."

"Local and national acts graced our stages: The New Bohemians, Horton Heat, AC/DC, Tiny Tim, Joe Walsh stopped by... Todd Rundgren, Shoso, Jim Messina, Paul Simon stopped by... Blues Traveller, Kinky Friedman, Oliver Stone dropped by... The Subdudes, The Jayhawks, Shawn Phillips, Billy Gibbons stopped by... Sara Hickman, Ten Hands, Fever in the Funk House, Spot, Trees, Loco Gringos, Feet First, Earl Harvin, Josh Allen, Little Sister, Ian Moore, Pat Green, The Dixie Chicks, Spalding Gray stopped by, Mr. Peppermint, Rev. Bob, and Danny Glover even shot a movie here..."

The previous owners/management nearly drove the joint into the ground. They still owe back taxes, money to the landlord and back wages to plenty of ex-employees. Thankfully, Bob Cummins, Mark Ehmann and a handful of investors took over Dada and brought it back to life back in March.

The new owners and management didn't just throw the doors back open to the same ol' same ol' though. They cleaned up the place, updated the sound system, added a mini-theater that runs cartoons between sets, and best of all - they offer valet parking for ONLY 5-bucks. Suuuuuuweeeeet.

Amanda and Bob have also put together recurring shows that are superior enough to attend every week:

Tuesdays starting May 9th - Kenny Withrow & Friends

Wednesdays - AM Transmissions w/ Doug Burr 7 PM - w/ Clay & Electronic Cowboys / Laura Nelson on May 3rd, 10th, 31st - Chris Holt's Wheel Deal Wednesday, May 17th and 24th

Thursdays - Amanda Newman's Listening to: - each week Amanda will showcase up-and-coming bands from DFW and beyond! - 9 PM - May 4th: Clay & Electronic Cowboys / Handclaps & Harmonies / The Burning Hotels - Thursday, May 11th: The Allens / Aaron & the Duster Six / Eaton Lake Tonics / Harley Poe - Matthew James - May 25th: Dirt Blazers / Alamo Jet / The Atoms

Fridays - I'll bet you can buy their love - or at least a cold beer for Hard Night's Day performs every Friday during the cocktail hours of 6-9 PM, followed by more exceptional bands.

Saturdays - The Dead Thing has returned and is back on the patio (aaaaah, I remember the 80's) every Saturday from 6-9 PM and this one's a freebie kids! Of course tremendous bands will take over the inside stage after the Dead Thing.

Sundays - TexasGigs.com is working on a monthly feature showcase, more on that later - Jenn Nabb brings OpenMike back to Sundays:

"Jenn Nabb’s Open Mic Night provides a venue for musicians and singers of all talents to get together and perform in front of a live audience, solor or alongside fellow musicians. A great sound system, monitors, and microphones are provided. All you do is get up and perform. Bring your guitar and amp, keyboard or whatever you require to perform your music. Keep it simple (don't bring the family upright piano!)"

"OpenMike Night is the place to test your voice (and nerves!) for the first time; hone your skills in front of a live audience and get instant feedback; work on your presentation while building an audience. Many artists have begun their careers on the Dada stage. Maybe you will too. Original material and covers, and all musical tastes are welcome."

"For the professional, OpenMike night is the place to jam with peers and try new ideas in a supportive atmosphere. For those who just want to listen, it's inexpensive and fun and full of surprises."

"Use the handy form below to sign up ahead of time to ensure your place. However, do feel free to walk in and put your name on the list of performers. Those who reserve online will get preference over walk-ins."

"Expect to perform for 10-15 minutes. Depending on the number of sign-ups on the list, you may be allowed to play a bit longer, but please do not count on it. Set lengths are at Jenn's discretion - she runs the show."

"Admission is FREE, all musicians and music lovers are welcome and encouraged to attend."

Expect to find loads and loads of live audio interviews, audio/video performances from Club Dada here at TexasGigs.com in the coming days and weeks too!

Keep an eye here for some really amazing and exciting upcoming shows - and I expect to see you...at Club Dada.

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