Fans of the Allston club Great Scott, which hosted the long-running LGBTQ dance party “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” have created a petition to keep the live-music and dance venue open.
“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” celebrated its ninth anniversary back in January and had most recently hosted a burlesque-themed night with a line-up of performers, and deejayed by queer singer-songwriter and producer Jill Blutt in late February. Right before the pandemic shut the doors of their host venue, Great Scott.
Billed as “Boston’s largest inclusive queer party,” the event’s ongoing theme, for all of their parties, is “All are welcome who welcome all!”
Late last week, the club’s owners announced they will permanently close the establishment, according to a Tweet from WBZ Channel 4. The landlord, reported Patch Boston, will not renew the lease of the club, which “has been closed since the coronavirus crisis ramped up in the Boston area.”
Reads the petition:
A pillar of Boston’s vibrant arts community, Great Scott has offered a stage to local musicians and touring acts alike, and welcomed music fans of all kinds in its distinctly unassuming fashion. Its loss represents a blow to us all.
For over 40 years, Great Scott has been a neighborhood staple, and it is closing for no better reason than a leasing dispute exploiting a public health crisis. We demand Oak Hill Properties LLC renegotiate with Great Scott, and allow them to continue operations as a music venue.
Reports Patch:
Great Scott opened in 1976 as a bar with a performance space. The venue hosted bands and performers from a variety of genres over the last 44 years, plus stand up comedy, and the long-running LGBTQ dance party Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
In a message posted on Facebook Friday, General Manager Tim Philbin asked fans to remember the venue as a welcoming home for local artists.
“There is a sign that still hangs in the venue from the establishment that Great Scott replaced,” he wrote. “The name of which was Brandy’s. That sign reads ‘Where Incredible Friendships Begin’. I’m glad we never took it down because it explains Great Scott better than I ever could.
“Take care of yourselves and each other.”
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