Luckily, long-time promoter couple-extraordinaire Garo Gallo and Yvonne Colón are reappropriating the term in a way that will thrill those concerned about the health of South Florida’s creative base. Imagine concert hall-quality acoustics, 3000 square feet to boogie your ass off or wallflower around (this doesn’t include the giant space outside), two stages with 13 bands (including Gallo’s band Dooms De Pop, Mr. Entertainment, and the Holy Terrors), and more than 60 works of art submitted by 15 South Florida artists such as Lisa Parrott aka Coma Girl, Peter Giovenco, Erick Arenas and Francesco LoCastro. (Fun fact: LoCastro also painted the rad mural that covers the front of the warehouse.) These highlights comprise “The Bubble,” or the Grand Opening Gallery Event Showcase taking place all day Saturday.
Gallo and Colón conceptualized the downtown Fort Lauderdale spot years ago as a venue where oft-underrepresented artists can display their work, indie musicians can rehearse and record, and where networking and promotion will help solidify the local arts community. Their vision officially began to materialize only two months ago, though, when the couple purchased the space. Since then, they’ve been renovating tirelessly. “This way, we don’t have to answer to club owners with bad taste,” Gallo quipped.
The space (810 N.E. Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale) doesn’t have a name yet, and the owners are open to suggestions. Offer yours Saturday. Show starts at 1:30 p.m. Admission costs $10, and includes three drinks. For more information, call 954-562-3804 or visit www.independentworkingartistnetwork.com.
Sat., June 6, 1:30 p.m., 2009
