28 replies to this topic

[RiverJonesMusicLabel]

Hello Phoenix,

I think you all know how much I love this town, right? Maybe some of you know me from Stinkweeds, or Modified Arts, or some of my newer friends know me from the work I'm doing with Local First Arizona. Well, I want to talk to you about some upcoming changes that you should know about. It's important that you hear this from me, and that you know that you can ask me any question you may have at any time.

A brief history of Modified Arts: we opened in January of 1999 as a dedicated art space, providing a place for painters, musicians, actors, dancers, and poets to share their work in an affordable and welcoming environment. As you know, Roosevelt Street has blossomed over the years and is now home to an astonishing array of galleries, shops, and restaurants. I am proud to have been part of what has been nothing less than the complete transformation of a community.

Over the past 10 years, I have changed as well. I am now actively involved in community development, and work extensively on both city and state initiatives that I believe will be for the betterment of us all. Encouraging density and infill, sustainable policies- rather than suburban policies of the 50's, local procurement, economic development, and entrepreneurship are my top priorities. Many of you who know me know that I have worked hard to walk the line between indie rock shows and city council meetings, between stocking the fridge and public speaking engagements.

It's time for something to give.

I am pleased to introduce you to Kim Larkin and Adam Murray, a husband and wife team who will be the perfect people to carry on the Modified banner without me. I am overwhelmingly happy to have found a solution to a difficult situation. I will never give up that building, but I didn't want to place a business in there that wouldn't actively contribute to the neighborhood, and in particular to Roosevelt Row. Kim and Adam will be able to advance Modified in a way that I am unable to do with my current work load.

Kim's background is in arts management, and she has already run a gallery of her own in Salt Lake City. Adam is a sound engineer whom some of you may know as a sound guy at Modified now. They have big plans for Modified Arts and I expect you all to get behind them and show support. Modified Arts will be more of a traditional gallery, though Adam will still be doing shows. However, we must tell you that the big, indie rock shows you've come to know and love at Modified will have to find another home. The programming will be changing to better accommodate a gallery, so the slant will be more experimental and progressive.

We will be closing Modified Arts as it exists right now the
second weekend in December and re-opening with a new look for Third Friday in January. The stage and green room will be gone, giving way to a cleaner look that will better suit the artwork.

I know some of you will have a hard time with the change but I am asking you to embrace it the best you can and recognize that for almost 11 years we did something no one thought we could do. We ran in independent music venue and art gallery with volunteers from the community and kept the rent at $160 so that bands could play and make some money, and promoters could still bring the small bands and make ends meet. We provided the stepping stones for most of the bands playing at the Rhythm Room today. In fact, some of the bands playing at the Marquee or Cricket Pavilion got their first show in Phoenix at Modified. If you were there for one of those shows, please hold the memory dear.

As a city grows, things change. Be proud of what each of you contributed and be grateful you were there. Looking forward, Modified Arts will be something new to explore and yet familiar. Kim and Adam have promised to keep working with many of the mid-career artists I've worked to develop over the years, and I feel the situation could not be better. They will give the website a new look and have lots of plans for better events. I'm sure they will be in touch with many of you in the coming weeks to introduce themselves and to communicate their plans to you directly. You will like them a lot, I promise. Kim and I are collaborating on a show in January (my last, her first) that will document the history of the Phoenix arts scene going all they way back to the early 70's.

I could talk to you all for days about the ways Modified has changed over the years- some good and some bad. The community has changed, too. I know I have certainly been distracted with all of the policy work I've been submerged in, but I will save that discussion for a book one day. Suffice to say I am happy I was able to be a part of it, and I'm happy I found someone to carry it on.

For all of you who were there along the way: thank you. Modified is a shining example of what a community can do when we work together. I look forward to whatever we decide to do next.


Kimber

[donald]

Thank you for sharing this information, I was scared you were going to say the modified was closing permanently. We all appreciate what you do for all of us and I am sure the modified is in good hands with Kim and Adam.


I have so many great memories at the modified, being a volunteer, watching some of the greatest shows, meeting some amazing people.

[JJames]

oh man

no more modified arts shows

[thebiggameover]

the modified parking lot is still the best bar ive ever been too......

[bunnyeyes]

Good Luck to you Kimber! You are an amazing woman who offered a great place for many people to express themselves who wouldn't have a chance anyplace else. (remember bumbergoat : ) I'm sure you have picked wonderful people to continue on the tradation that you have started.

[Jacki O.]

RIP to the old Modified but Horray! for the new one!

[unluckycharm]

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun.

Kudos to new stuffs.

[HNIC]

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun.

Kudos to new stuffs.

I dont understand how having a viable music venue close its doors to musicians is "moving forward"...

[Jacki O.]

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun.

Kudos to new stuffs.

I dont understand how having a viable music venue close its doors to musicians is "moving forward"...

because it's opening it's doors to more artists.

just because it's not doing music anymore doesn't mean it can be part of the downtown community.

[Tony]

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun.

Kudos to new stuffs.

I dont understand how having a viable music venue close its doors to musicians is "moving forward"...

according to what kimber wrote, and the commentary and feedback that's getting posted elsewhere (there's a pretty lengthy commentary on the newtimes blog) they are not closing down. rather, it seems like they're just changing their focus. from everything i've read they'll still be doing shows, just not "big indie rock shows" (quoted from the NT comments that kimber made), and they'll be focusing on smaller or more experimental stuff.

good for other venues, i guess.

[Rial]

as a venue it was set up kinda odd, as an art gallery it was set up kinda odd. Looks like they made up there minds on which one had to give. i liked it as an all ages venue, I have gone to some great shows there, but maybe its time for it to be modified (see that, huh?)
Hope it has success with out the "Big indie Shows" as an art venue, but lame for music as per every 5-6 years all the venues close (not that the Sets was awesome or anything, but look what happened leading up to the Dillinger Four show...venues that every one agrees on and likes are a hot commodity.)

[unluckycharm]

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun.

Kudos to new stuffs.

I dont understand how having a viable music venue close its doors to musicians is "moving forward"...

My "kudos" were more to Kimber and where she's going with her career.

While I don't enjoy seeing Modified being, er, modified into more of a gallery...I think there are more than enough venues around that can support bands that were hosted by Modified.

Long live metrophobobobia (sp?)

[skeksis]

I'm more than a little sad about this... But I've been around long enough to recognize 1) venues come and go in this market - we're lucky to have had the modified for a decade... which is coincidentally about as long as I've been in the valley. 2) Individuals can only do a few things and do them well - gotta set priorities, and I totally understand why Kimber would be ready to pass the torch.

To me, it's a shame that the new managers want to steer it away from rock shows. From where I'm sitting, the last thing Roosevelt needs is another art gallery. (basically open 1st fridays, otherwise another locked storefront). The indie/rock shows bring people to the area at times when otherwise bums, junkies, & prostitutes pretty much swarm the area around Hance park. Again, personal opinion, but 'smaller' and 'experimental' shows kinda turns my stomach, too.

Basically, I disagree with Jacki... there's a bazillion galleries in the neighborhood, only one place with mid-sized live music. 'spose that means someplace else will take up the cause? Could be interesting. Just feel a little like Kimber's exit foreshadows a dismissal of music from the downtown arts culture (not to knock the trunk space, phix, paisley but different niches). Maybe too dramatic, but :-(

ANYWAY. enough grumbling. I do mean best of luck to Kimber and the new managers.

[fatguyaz]

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun.

Kudos to new stuffs.

I dont understand how having a viable music venue close its doors to musicians is "moving forward"...

it's good for you, Tyler. Eat it. We can all be happy for Kimber.

[raubhimself]

I went to a show at Modified once. Twice actually. It was fun. Seemed like an odd inbetween of a house show and a pro venue. Good luck with the changes.