It seems that all is not well at The Prism Coffeehouse. Courteney Stewart’s cover story in this week’s Hook reports on a schism that has developed in the board over the board elections, which has been exacerbated by the frustrations of Fred Boyce, who has long run the Charlottesville musical institution. There is even concern that The Prism may become homeless, should they fall out of the good graces of the church next door, who provides the use of the building. Is this just a bump in a long road, or worse?
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
foursix 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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Bylaws rock. There’s really no point in staying a family-run, labor-of-love operation when you can have elections and audits.
And at some point, after so many good works and donations of money and instruments, you feel owed and you want the buzz that only elections can provide.
The Prism is one of my absolute favorite places on the planet to see music. There aren’t many places where you can see incredible musicians just inches away from you in a smoke-free environment. I do hope that the powers-that-be get all of this mess straightened out. It would be a shame if such a wonderful venue fell by the wayside because of malcontent or large egos.
My concern about the Prism comes from the rise in ticket prices for shows there and the emergence of the Gravity Lounge as a great venue for folk/acoustic music. Gravity could prove to be trouble for the Prism. They get great acts and often have cheap shows – Old School Freight Train, Jan Smith, and other local bands often play there for less than 10 bucks. Some folks, like me, are on a budget and can’t routinely shell out 18-20 bucks for a show.
Anyway, there’s my two cents.
If you want that good ol’ tax-exempt status, there are rules you have to follow. That’s what by-laws are for. In most cases, if you don’t like them, they’re easy enough to change and remain well within the law. If the powers-that-be prefer to ignore them instead, it’s pretty hard to have much sympathy when somebody entitled to do so calls them on it.
GL is a great place to see bands. plus they serve alcohol, which is another big plus. and, if the band you paid $10 to see sucks, you can always grab a book and read until their set is over.