Open....Again? Category: The Big Dipper This article has been read: 858 times. by Mike Corrigan, music writer, The Inlander, August 12, 2004 Ah, the Big Dipper, that nightclub of myth, legend and infamy... that accommodating but sadly underutilized space. After more false starts and restarts than I care to remember, the Big Dipper is once again poised to reclaim its rightful place in the local live music scene as a performance venue of great worth. And here I am once again, doing what I swore I'd never, ever do again: writing another "The Big Dipper is Back" story. See, I've been burned before. Hell, we all have. We love the Big Dipper. It's a stylish, roomy venue with good acoustics and a glorious history. And so whenever some well-meaning soul announces plans to start it up again and add to the legacy, those of us in this town with the live music itch can't help but feel (guardedly) optimistic — delighted, even — about the prospect. Yet I don't have fingers enough to count all the times the club has re-opened for the expressed purpose of once again hosting live original rock shows only to have the bright lights of promise snuffed out almost before the good news of its opening has hit the streets. So it is with some caution that I report to you the (ahem) re-opening of the Big Dipper for live music shows. The good people at RAWK the Inland Northwest (a local faith-based organization promoting both avowedly Christian and general market bands) have taken on this noble venture by securing the cabaret license from Dipper owner, Steve Spickard, and by transforming the venue into a non-smoking, non-drinking all-ages club. Even now, the group is filling in the Big Dipper's calendar with lean and hungry young rock bands performing regularly scheduled live music. Rock the Casbah. Or rather, Rawk the Dipper. Yet how will RAWK succeed where many others have failed? How will the noise and crowd control issues that have plagued the club in the past be addressed? According to RAWK's secretary/ treasurer, Dale Strom, these hurdles will be cleared with shows that finish up early (at or before 10 pm), with supervision provided by RAWK volunteers and with the support of community sponsors such as the Chase Youth Commission, the Spokane Police Department, Gonzaga University and Whitworth College. In addition, because of the lack of liquor sales to subsidize things, RAWK will be soliciting corporate and other private support to underwrite its operations. "As a nonprofit corporation, we would appreciate community support for our activities," says Strom. "Especially donations that would result in the acquisition of top-rate sound and lights systems for the venue." Last Tuesday, RAWK held its first Dipper show (a mixture of local and national talent) in this brave new age. Look for similar action in the very near future including a show on Tuesday, August 24, featuring Society's Finest. The Big Dipper is located at 171 S. Washington St. For more information, visit www.rawkonline.com. Posted by: rawkmandale - August 17th, 2004 Back to News Articles View Articles From The Big Dipper Category