While this isn't news to most people, I find myself saddened to hear that the Whirling Dervish is closing its doors this weekend (though, like many, I do not suspect this will be a permanent thing
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I'm sitting here torturing myself enough as it is by reading 3-year old entries about a certain storm and then this. I was going to mention it to you, but I knew you'd probably know.
As it is, I know what you're saying. I wish we could have known each other personally, then, too.
Sitting here nearly in tears and this is a bittersweet and wonderful entry.
I haven't been to the Dervish regularly in years, but it was such a fixture in my early years in New Orleans when I was there about four nights a week. I just found out it was closing yesterday and was surprised by how sad and affected I felt.
Garren & I weren't going often before the storm (I think we went a handful of nights), but since we've left, we always visit on each trip.
I think you & I both have in common the fact that Loyola wasn't the center of our lives & our social lives (as you commented in a recent post of yours). I don't always think of Loyola fondly in terms of memories outside of my classes, but the Dervish was often the hub, or much of the cause, of a lot of my social interactions. I think that's why it hurts so much, as it probably holds most of my NOLA memories.
We did wear a lot of makeup, didn't we? That was always fun.
I miss those days. A whole hell of a lot. Most of the NOLA friends I have are because of that bar. But honestly, I'd rather see it close and be reborn in a new incarnation full of potential than to see it continue on the way it was. It was dying, and it made me sad.
It didn't feel right anymore. On occassion, I'd see someone in there and have a blast of that thing you talk about up there, but for the most part, it was like a different place. I think - for me at least - the reason is this: many of the people that made that place what it was (to us) have left New Orleans. The dynamics have totally changed. Those of us that stayed couldn't keep all that up by ourselves, and as happens, things change. Not always for the best.
I'm just glad we had what we had when we did. Not everyone gets to be a part of something that magical.
From what we heard last night from MV, it sounds like the owner already has plans to sell or consign or somehow get rid of all the fixtures/furniture even. I bet it probably will reopen, and at first I totally thought it was a bunch of bullshit and would be open again before Halloween at the very least, but he sounded like it's possible it might not.
It has been totally different the last few years. And I think its kind of dumb how big of a deal some people are making out of it. But still... it's like, yeah all those people will still see each other, but everyone will not see each other all in the same place at the same time as much, or ever.
I don't think it's dumb at all that people are making a big deal about it, as I'd probably be a bit crushed even if I were there. Obviously I'm upset to hear that's it's closing. Does that make me dumb?
Just because you feel that it's changed and you've moved away from it, doesn't mean that it's not still a place that holds a special spot for others, whether they're new or old fans & friends of the Dervish. For some people, it's one of the only opportunities we have to see those friendly faces that we grew to know & love there.
And it's interesting that MV says that there are already plans to sell, as the person I found out from approached the owner about buying and was turned down on the basis that he wasn't willing to sell.
No no... I think that my point came across totally different than I meant it to. (Or maybe I had no point to begin with... it's been a bad day... was supposed to take tomorrow & Friday off for Dave's b-day and go to Gulfport so he could play poker and Melissa made me cake and pie and now the fucking museum director who is not even the real director has decided that no one is allowed to take leave until further notice because of a storm that hasn't even passed Cuba yet
( ... )
Dude, you're doing it again. If it for real is closing, then why is it dumb to want to fly in from Atlanta? Yesterday Garren & I were commenting that if we both had the money, it would be nice to drive down there. It'd be potentially a last chance to see everyone in a space that was special to us. Sure, it comes up from the grave and keeps re-opening-- but for some of us, that isn't the point. The Blue Crystal/Crystal/Crowbar doesn't mean jack shit to me. They weren't places that were important to me, or that I have any connection with. But the Dervish is.
Garren and I found out from Westly, who called each of us at 5 fucking a.m. on Sunday morning because he was so upset. From what Garren told me, Westly & Shade went to (presumably) the owner about buying the place so that they could keep it opening & operating as the Dervish, and she turned them down. Now I'm seeing comments on Hannah's journal that supposedly the reason the furniture is being sold off is because owner's turning it in to a daquiris and video poker bar.
Re: These pictures...mischiefmydearAugust 28 2008, 02:06:13 UTC
I'm always glad to have kept my photobucket account, because it's like this wonderful little digital photo album of a wonderful period of my life. I don't know that I could delete anything from it without feeling like I was losing a small piece of my past.
Comments 27
I'm sitting here torturing myself enough as it is by reading 3-year old entries about a certain storm and then this. I was going to mention it to you, but I knew you'd probably know.
As it is, I know what you're saying.
I wish we could have known each other personally, then, too.
Sitting here nearly in tears and this is a bittersweet and wonderful entry.
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<3
&
I'm sorry to make you teary!
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I think you & I both have in common the fact that Loyola wasn't the center of our lives & our social lives (as you commented in a recent post of yours). I don't always think of Loyola fondly in terms of memories outside of my classes, but the Dervish was often the hub, or much of the cause, of a lot of my social interactions. I think that's why it hurts so much, as it probably holds most of my NOLA memories.
Reply
I miss those days. A whole hell of a lot. Most of the NOLA friends I have are because of that bar. But honestly, I'd rather see it close and be reborn in a new incarnation full of potential than to see it continue on the way it was. It was dying, and it made me sad.
It didn't feel right anymore. On occassion, I'd see someone in there and have a blast of that thing you talk about up there, but for the most part, it was like a different place. I think - for me at least - the reason is this: many of the people that made that place what it was (to us) have left New Orleans. The dynamics have totally changed. Those of us that stayed couldn't keep all that up by ourselves, and as happens, things change. Not always for the best.
I'm just glad we had what we had when we did. Not everyone gets to be a part of something that magical.
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thanks for the trip down memory lane.
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It has been totally different the last few years. And I think its kind of dumb how big of a deal some people are making out of it. But still... it's like, yeah all those people will still see each other, but everyone will not see each other all in the same place at the same time as much, or ever.
Reply
Just because you feel that it's changed and you've moved away from it, doesn't mean that it's not still a place that holds a special spot for others, whether they're new or old fans & friends of the Dervish. For some people, it's one of the only opportunities we have to see those friendly faces that we grew to know & love there.
And it's interesting that MV says that there are already plans to sell, as the person I found out from approached the owner about buying and was turned down on the basis that he wasn't willing to sell.
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Garren and I found out from Westly, who called each of us at 5 fucking a.m. on Sunday morning because he was so upset. From what Garren told me, Westly & Shade went to (presumably) the owner about buying the place so that they could keep it opening & operating as the Dervish, and she turned them down. Now I'm seeing comments on Hannah's journal that supposedly the reason the furniture is being sold off is because owner's turning it in to a daquiris and video poker bar.
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& I miss you too, as I'm sure everyone else does.
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