"This is the end of an era" is the downer thought on many Londoner's mind right now. Why this horrible fatalist conclusion? Well, the young generation senses the death of the city's heart: it's cultural and musical soul, and this Saturday, they will unite to express their grief and outrage. The question is: will you passively sit back and watch our nightlife rot in front of your lazy eyes or join them to STAND UP and protest for London's dead culture?
In case you missed out, London is losing all it's best venues, from the popular Fabric and the alternative Dance Tunnel to the very bitter news of the beloved Passing Clouds. As a matter of fact, 40% of London venues have been closed in the past decade, just to give you an idea of how DRAMATIC the situation is... Wonderful places are now history while the tedious gentrification obtains another victory. This isn't a joke guys, it's happening for real and that's why, now more than ever, we must ACT and ROAR with frustration to prevent other musical jewels from facing a dark future or perhaps help to reclaim lost venues. Please, let's not agree with the dull city offered on the menu.
Show your solidarity this Saturday 17th of September when more than 1000 cool kids dressed in red will meet at 4 PM in Hoxton Square, East London, then set off at 5 PM together on Kingsland Road for a symbolic march towards Passing Clouds, the masterminds behind this sick idea. Expect a revolutionary atmosphere, a blast of drums and other instruments, talented musicians, inspiring speeches and an overall strong feeling of community. The event supposedly ends at 10 PM but considering the theme of the march, I doubt anyone will be in the mood to go straight to bed, unless they want to be highly ironic.
The hardest news to swallow personally -and I know thousands of peace purveyors feel me- is the truly tragic seizure of the glorious Passing Clouds. This hangout/nightclub/community centre was so perfect that I wish every single person in the world would have had the privilege to step through its doors. It wasn't only about the explosion of decorations and colors plastered all over the rooms, making it the chillest environment ever, NO, Passing Clouds was most of all a venue where people could express themselves, grove to amazing beats, randomly join in a jam, meet like-minded locals and celebrate diversity EVERY DAY. It was a musical, (multi) cultural and artistic sanctuary for the local youth culture, a home to everyone who wished, THE place to be. Frankly, it's extremely hard to describe the uniqueness of Passing Clouds since there was always so much to take in, like when one enters a Moroccan souk and doesn't know WHERE to start or WHAT to pick first amongst all the magical elements. Well, whenever I'd visit my ultimate favourite club in London, this overwhelming feeling would take over my body, mind, and soul each bloody time.
Despite the long and tiresome process Passing Clouds underwent to keep its venue, the building was forcibly evicted just days after it was offered a new lease. Basically, they got screwed over big time, but DON'T WORRY, they haven't said their last word just YET. The owners have cleverly thought of a solution : registering the building as an Asset of Community Value, which could prevent this endangered species from being wiped off the map, if successful. What it means? This is NOT THE END for Passing Clouds, so SIGN their petition, follow their story and for the love of music and culture, JOIN THE MARCH THIS SATURDAY!
Peace and love to all,
SEE YOU AT THE PROTEST ;)
Links for further info (already attached in text) :