UVa plans to purchase and demolish Trax and Max to expand the hospital complex. They’re buying the clubs for $1.2M. Trax is famed for being where Dave Matthews Band played during their early days, and it long served as the most popular musical venue in Charlottesville, hosting many national touring acts since its 1982 opening. Though Max occasionally had larger acts, it was more well-known for its country line dancing. Trax was sold in July, and the new owner was to have opened it last fall. The Cavalier Daily has the story.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
four six and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Shall we all share herre our most cherished Trax/Max memories?
I’m sad about Trax but I am tickled pink that that dump Maxx is finally being shut down.
I enjoyed — in various states of disrepair — many shows at Trax. Among the memorable were those by Burning Spear, Béla Fleck, Indecision, a sauced-up (but nonetheless talented) The Doors cover-band, and . . . oh, that other home-grown sensation . . . what’s the name?
I have to say, I’ve seen about a dozen shows at Trax and was always really turned off by the pretty crummy atmosphere of the place and it’s moderate disrepair. I’m all about live music, but I never really liked Trax too much, so I can’t say I’m sorry to see it go. Especially with Starr Hill getting better acts lately.
Where does this leave the Music Resource Center? Last I checked (which was quite some time ago), they were upstairs of Trax. They’re getting relocated, right?
yeah, Maxx was and is a dump. More or less a breeding ground for Jerry Springer show guests.
It’s a shame Trax is closing. It’s a great venue for mid-sized acts, and I think the Charlottesville music scene will suffer it’s demise. I always hear people complain that it’s a dump. Those people are snobs. When you go to a rock show, it should be in an environment where you can sweat, spill beer, squash cigarettes on the floor, and maybe even see a good ol redneck brawl. It seems like Charlottesville wants all its entertainment packaged in “upscale” wrapping that makes people feel elite. Where will I wear my mullet and my jeans with the ripped-out knees?
From what I hear, they will probably relocate but after spending about 100k on renovations that were supposedly going to be reimbursed, they might not be able to renovate yet another space.
That building is historical and should be preserved! 35 years ago when it was “Bob Davis Wrecker” I spent many hours there sipping Bourbon with the mechanic Lindsay Jones and Bob Davis. Oh well, all things must change.
Having attended over 300 live shows in numerous venues, Trax easily had the worst sound system. As a live music venue, it definitely won’t be missed by me.
However, while Starr Hill tries to bring in decent acts, and often scores, their seating capacity makes it impossible for them to bring in many mid-level acts. Trax had a capacity of around 1,000, while Starr Hill tops out at 400. From that perspective, losing a mid-size venue is disappointing.
Yet another case of UVA buying something of use and turning it into temporary storage.
From the Cav Daily: “Ideally, the BOV would find another way to approach its hospital expansion so that it doesn’t take down history while temporarily storing construction supplies. But if nothing else occurs, the BOV ought to feel obliged to do something to rebuild what it’s destroying.”
But where will Molly Hatchet play now?
Just because something is old doesn’t make it “historical.” The City’s Board of Architectural Review hasn’t figured that out, either.
Even the most rabid DMB fans would likely admit that the historical nature of the venue is limited, at best.
Liverpool razed the Cavern Club, which arguably played a far, far greater role in the development of popular music than Trax did.
If the building was brick with white trim it wouldn’t matter how old it is.
Everybody who thinks UVA could care less about the Music Resource Center, raise your hands.