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"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." Dr. Hunter S. Thompson  "It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it." David Stanowski To find older articles; use Search or Site Map |
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Friday
26 January 2007
Menard Park! From time to time, I am contacted by promoters who want to produce some sort of music festival on The Island. All of these proposed events are envisioned to take place outdoors, so the discussion turns to where they can be staged. Inevitably, the discussions focus on using portable outdoor stages in downtown Galveston, as is done during Mardi Gras. I always like special events, staged in the downtown area, but I often suggest that stages could also be set up along The Seawall. However, one choice, which is always overlooked, is Menard Park. This park has an ideal location, on The Seawall, overlooking The Gulf, AND it has a wonderful Band Shell, that would forgo the need to rent, and set up portable stages! The Park also has the room to accommodate festival goers without the need to shut down streets, which must be done downtown! I realize that the Band Shell, and the Park itself, has fallen into disrepair, so they need a serious rehabilitation effort before they can be used for music festivals, and other events, which is why it is time that The City should consider investing in such an effort. My good friend, George Douglas Lee, has taken the lead on this effort with his letter to Patricia Bolton- Legg, shown below. I totally agree with what he says, including the need to preserve the original name of the Park! If you agree that Menard Park, and its Band Shell, should be saved and rehabilitated, please contact the City Council, and the Mayor, and/or George. georgedlee@sbcglobal.net To: Patricia Bolton-Legg Re: Menard Park Band Shell Patricia: We've met on several occasions. I admire your work and input on Council. My councilman is Marc Hoskins, I don't know what his participation is at present, so I am adopting you as the sounding board! I'm very interested in the "fate" of the Menard Park Band Shell, and the proposed developments to the Park itself. I was born and raised in Galveston and remember going to Menard Park for summer concerts, and various other activities before it fell into disrepair. I had heard that the Band Shell was going to be torn down, then listened to the tapes of a couple of meetings a few weeks ago regarding this issue. I contacted Barney Rapp, local Realtor, as his grandfather designed the structure. I went out there with an engineer to look it over and see if it was structurally sound, the engineer said it was. I understand the bid to restore it is in the neighborhood of a quarter of a million dollars! I'm not sure at this point what that entails, although I am trying to get a look at the engineering report that said it was questionable regarding structural viability. I went to the Parks and Recreation Board meeting today and spoke out in favor of restoring the Band Shell, keeping its excellent acoustics and of course, making sure it continues to point north. As a musician and sound tech, its design is excellent and was the result of much study into building it with the finest acoustics possible for an outdoor venue of this type. The blueprints I was able to briefly view were oddly designed in my opinion, with the new recreation building appearing to almost surround the Band Shell, and apparently much of the park being paved for parking. There is plenty of parking space available in the area, I feel the grounds should be devoted to grass, children's play areas and potential seating for viewers of activities at the Band Shell. The existing palms must surely be kept, and the area surrounding the Band Shell be landscaped and lit. As there is no marker with the Park's name, design, info, etc., that should be a consideration. Also, it occurred to me that before doing anything substantial with the Band Shell, a purpose for it should be established and a market developed. It is ideal for music (appropriate for the surrounding neighborhoods, and controlled in some way), plays, art, children's activities, speakers, craft fairs and meetings. It has two lavatories/dressing rooms that are as adequate as most Houston live theaters. I used to own a theater in Houston, I am well versed in the requirements, and I am also a performing musician. Frankly, it's just a great stage with great sound. Of course, there are all kinds of private events that could be done there, but a program should be established. I believe if it were restored, which is primarily cosmetic from what I can tell, cultural events there, as well as the recreation center itself, would attract a middle class and upper middle class audience, which would go a long way toward rejuvenating that neighborhood and general area. It sickens me to see the increase in vacant concrete slabs overgrowing with weeds, right on The Seawall, which is one of the Island's foremost attractions. The Band Shell is part of that intangible and elusive "charm" about our Island that draws people and leaves them with the impression of having stepped into another, sweeter time and place. For that reason alone, the Band Shell should be restored, but the Park itself can be developed into a thriving attraction, right on the edge of the Gulf, and bring back some of the vitality so vivid in the late 40's and 50's, when Galveston was at its peak. Enough philosophy. I would like to attend the next council meeting and speak on behalf of the Band Shell and the Park, but with this letter, I wanted to express my support and that of others who have not paid attention, and once alerted to the fact that this gem might disappear, would also like to see what can be done. At present, the plans I've seen leave much to be desired and the quotes appear to be greatly inflated. Let me know what else I can do to help this go in the right direction! Thank you, George Lee $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
And now a word from our sponsor  It's not too late to get in and lose all your money!
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