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Goodbye, Safari Sam's*
Photo by the toe stubber via Flickr
Kevin Bronson at his Buzz Bands blog reports on the next music venue to go under. "Safari Sam’s, the east Hollywood nightclub that opened in April 2006 with grand plans and big dreams, closed quietly last week." He says that the owner has been rumored to be in debt and "the club never found its niche in booking acts that would consistently fill the venue. Last week, employees got abrupt notice that the club was being shuttered."
Interestingly enough and not necessarily related to their closure, Safari Sam's was one of two clubs to close this year that also experienced a murder. On February 10th, a 27-year-old man was stabbed to death in the parking lot of the venue. One month earlier, a man was shot dead in the parking lot of the now closed Crash Mansion in downtown. Similarly, the House of Blues in West Hollywood could be shut down by the city after a pattern of violence that has continued for a year.
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Update: "Previously scheduled shows at Safari Sam's have been moved to the Regent Theatre," reports LA Underground and the LA Times just published a note on their guide for Sam's confirming the move: "as of October 2008, Safari Sam's has temporarily moved to 448 S. Main St. Expect new details and a new entry soon."
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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