Diversity reigns at 9:30 Club
Alicia Johnson
Issue date: 10/3/02 Section: VARIETY
Color plays no role in the club’s attraction. On any given night people wearing Du-rags or dreadlocks, Mohawks or piercings are lined-up outside, eager to share the concert experience.
“The club is open to diversity, so the issue of color doesn’t come up,” says Tim Rooney, who has been going to the club since it was on F Street. “There is a different crowd every night but there are no color factors.”
And the diversity doesn’t stop at the door. The staff is as varied as their clientele. Sound engineer Shawn Gus Vitale notes the club’s emphasis on variety.
“Management has always strived for a diverse staff,” said Vitale. “The more diverse the better.”
Glaring lights and eye-catching posters bragging about the greatness of the 9:30 Club will never be seen. Their low-profile style has become a standard and the relaxed appearance seems to have paid off.
“We like to fly under the radar,” said Chad Houseknecht, production manger at 9:30. “A lot of clubs don’t have the entertainment we do so they have to make it themselves…our attraction is on stage, therefore, we don’t need to brag.”
The excitement and variety of music, which appears every night has separated the 9:30 club from many of its counterparts within the District. In the early 90s, the nearby Black Cat often provided competition, but the location and settings of the 9:30 eventually won out.
“The 9:30 club seems to get the better bands when compared to the Black
Cat,” said Tarek Hijaz, a 9:30 regular from Richmond, Virginia. “It’s the right size and the right mix of people.”
“We competed in the beginning. But now, due to our larger size, there are just some acts that the Black Cat cannot sign,” Hurwitz said. “But it’s a friendly competition.”
The 9:30’s unconventional play list has garnered a fan base that covers all spectrums of musical tastes and cultural backgrounds.
Clarence Brown, crew chief for the door staff explains.
“We are better at this than anyone in Washington DC, we have the best shows, space and staff.”
Contact Alicia Johnson at District_Chronicles@hotmail.com.
“The club is open to diversity, so the issue of color doesn’t come up,” says Tim Rooney, who has been going to the club since it was on F Street. “There is a different crowd every night but there are no color factors.”
And the diversity doesn’t stop at the door. The staff is as varied as their clientele. Sound engineer Shawn Gus Vitale notes the club’s emphasis on variety.
“Management has always strived for a diverse staff,” said Vitale. “The more diverse the better.”
Glaring lights and eye-catching posters bragging about the greatness of the 9:30 Club will never be seen. Their low-profile style has become a standard and the relaxed appearance seems to have paid off.
“We like to fly under the radar,” said Chad Houseknecht, production manger at 9:30. “A lot of clubs don’t have the entertainment we do so they have to make it themselves…our attraction is on stage, therefore, we don’t need to brag.”
The excitement and variety of music, which appears every night has separated the 9:30 club from many of its counterparts within the District. In the early 90s, the nearby Black Cat often provided competition, but the location and settings of the 9:30 eventually won out.
“The 9:30 club seems to get the better bands when compared to the Black
Cat,” said Tarek Hijaz, a 9:30 regular from Richmond, Virginia. “It’s the right size and the right mix of people.”
“We competed in the beginning. But now, due to our larger size, there are just some acts that the Black Cat cannot sign,” Hurwitz said. “But it’s a friendly competition.”
The 9:30’s unconventional play list has garnered a fan base that covers all spectrums of musical tastes and cultural backgrounds.
Clarence Brown, crew chief for the door staff explains.
“We are better at this than anyone in Washington DC, we have the best shows, space and staff.”
Contact Alicia Johnson at District_Chronicles@hotmail.com.