If I Had My Way...

"If I had my way, if I had my way, if I had my way, I would tear this old building down."

If I had MY way, nothing would be torn down. Alas, though, in this case it is inevitable.

On April 15, 1998, in a city that covers only a single square mile in land area, a club opens that differs from any other club in the Burlington area. In an end unit of a strip mall, that the older folks of the area may remember as a Denny's, sitting atop the banks of the Winooski River, Higher Ground becomes the premiere live music venue in the entire Chittenden County.

I couldn't tell you who the first act that played there was, nor would listing every show I've seen there make good use of my time; but over the years Higher Ground made a name for itself. Bringing in such classic rock bands like Blue Oyster Cult and George Thurgood, and a slew of bands with grassroots followings like Strangefolk, moe., or Keller Williams; Higher Ground becomes the place associated with live music -- previously claimed by Nectar's, only two miles down the road.

A month from now marks the six year anniversary of Higher Ground. It's also the closing day. By midnight, on April 15, 2004, Higher Ground as we know it will close it's doors for good. How ironic that the city of Winooski would mandate the closing of the doors on the birthdate of this establishment.

The reason for this eviction? It's not totally clear to me. I've heard that they're going to build a road there, but as far as I know my favorite place to see live music is going to torn down to build a parking lot. Isn't that the way it always works?

I've spent the last few nights at Higher Ground. Dark Star Orchestra played a show on Sunday and Monday night. For those unfamiliar, DSO isn't an orchestra in the sense of, lets say the London Philharmonic, but a tribute band to the Grateful Dead. The coolest thing about DSO is that instead of just playing Grateful Dead songs, a lot of the time they recreate an entire Dead show exactly how the Grateful Dead did in the past.

On Sunday night the setlist from January 17, 1979 was recreated. Last night, we got an original setlist. The band is well aware that it was their last time playing at Higher Ground, and wanted to put together something special; wanted to go out with a bang. And that they did.

The quote at the top of this post is a line from an amazingly powerful encore. A choice of a song, Samson and Delilah, that hit home with everyone in that room last night.

A reminder that in a month, Higher Ground will be our Brokedown Palace.