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photo credit: Reese Dickerson
A few days ago we posted on our Facebook page that we were looking for experiences and memories from our loyal Underbelly Army! We’ve gotten some wonderful responses. Here are a few of our favorites…
This one is a real tearjerker… beware…
OK, here’s a long one. There will come a time in your life, when you will truly miss your youth – the care free life, the irresponsibility, the dreams…even the physical beauty of your girlfriend or boyfriend.
The wonderful mystery of youth is that, at that point in life, there are an infinite number of possibilities of the person you will eventually become. As you pass about 25 years of age, the number of possibilities start to narrow, the result of good and bad decisions you begin to make in your life. As you pass 35, you’ve made so many decisions on the direction of your life, there may only be 100 possibilities of the person you will eventually become – married, divorced, LGBT, kids, musician, plumber, lawyer, writer, politician. Then one day, it will hit you like a bullet from Keyser Söze…you’re 50, you haven’t touched your guitar in thirty years, your married with four kids and you work for a goddamned bank. Your life may still have a handful of interesting possibilities from that point forward, but for the most part, you find you’re now just following a script.
I made a decision along time ago not to become a musician, and ran off to college with my girlfriend and studied business. I don’t regret those decisions which have created my life today. But my true loves remain music, good writing, art and artistic people. I found those loves each of the few times I was able to make it to Underbelly. Reminiscences…Lost in The Trees was especially memorable…and cold! Underbelly’s current edgy relevant and mostly underground music inspired me to look again at my remaining handful of life possibilities. I picked up a guitar a year ago, and with my daughter began writing and recording some instrumental music. Not great, but fun. I am painting again as well, and where that goes remains to be seen. For the inspiration, I am thankful.
It is human nature for youth to mistrust and disassociate with the older. But there are pockets of those with a more deep seated understanding of the cycle of life, and are less quick to judge and stereotype. Underbelly was/is a welcoming place for all with a love of life’s possibilities. – Bill
Or this one, posted by one of our favorite local bands, Opiate Eyes:
I loved the melding of the indoor and outdoor space, the congeniality of the staff, the overall community feel and uniqueness of the space. It really was a special place that I believe a lot of people came to love and look to for a good time. Let us know when we can come play the grand opening of the new spot!
Posted by one of our favorite regulars who drives from the beach to enjoy our music:
The Fire pits in the winter, the great graffiti artwork, The outside atmosphere was really great for the shows, and of course the great stream of music and other performances. (and of course the great beer selection) -Lyle
And this one posted by Logan Farmer, an amazing local singer/songwriter who plays under the name Tobacco Pat:
Underbelly is one of the only venues I’ve found that truly cares about the music and the experience, rather than ticket sales or how many people are drinking. Underbelly is much more than that. It’s about community!
Keep those comments comin’ people… I want to hear the stories. They help give me hope and motivation! Thank you all for the support during this difficult time. And I just want to put your fears to rest… we will be back bigger and better… but where that is we shall have to wait and see.
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Fainted Paces misses Underbelly immensely! We felt like we have lost our childhood home, temporarily, of course.
Comment by Fainted Paces August 24, 2011 @ 5:01 pmThrough the artful creativity and grace of Emily, and the magical wizardry of Cameron, Underbelly was truly a quaint haven for our community. This place has almost single-handedly fueled the Jacksonville’s local music scene over the past few years and will continue to blossom and evolve while promoting the most remarkable art, food, libations and music. Places like this are where real change happens and innovative ideas are born.
Underbelly gives genuine hope and joy to us all and is a place we all can call home away from home.
Hurry back now, ya hear.