Bull City Headquarters: A Place for the Community

Just over a year old, Bull City Headquarters' idea of having a welcome space for all ages and all arts has been embraced by Durham's community. Started in March 2007 by a collective made up mostly of musicians with a teacher and volunteer organizer, the space that was to become Bull City fulfilled many needs.

"It sort of came from a collaboration of need," says co-owner Rebekah Meek. "I was looking for a place that I could have an informal art gallery and Chaz [Martenstein] used to have shows in his record shop [Bull City Records] but he couldn't do that anymore so he was looking for a place to have shows. Of course the other people that were in bands were interested in having space to play music. Also, Durham Bike Co-op is in the back. All of those together sort of formed what it became."

Run by volunteers and a board of eight, Bull City is close to becoming a non-profit company and will soon apply for government grants to help with the expenses. But right now the bills are taken care of by the donations given at the door (about $3 to $5) and the $30 fee paid by promoters booking gigs at the space ($15 before the event, $15 afterwards).

"Sometimes we have fundraiser shows at other venues to draw in funds or we have raffles and stuff like that," says Meek. "Basically it's pretty much the only place that you can play in Durham year round so the community really supports it."

That support will hopefully continue as the housing prices in Durham rise with the city's popularity.

"Durham is definitely changing," says Meek. "It's becoming more developed around town. We're sort of on the opposite side of the developed side of downtown but it is always encroaching. Maybe we won't be able to have the space to rent anymore because it's becoming too developed. It isn't always going to be affordable."

But the Bull city board members and volunteers are staying optimistic.

"I think that there's definitely a huge, fantastic, supportive music scene that will continue to support the space," she says. "I think that more creative types are moving into Durham and I think that if we just keep a varied amount of programming with the space that there will be continued interest."

Capacity: 150

Gear: The venue is pretty barebones. The folks can provide a PA and perhaps a few wandering mic stands, but there isn't much of a backline.

Genres: Everything from punk to Americana, acoustic to hardcore

Booking Contact: Chaz Martenstein, though various others help

Email: bullcityhq@gmail.com

Address: 723 N. Mangum St., Durham, NC 27701

Website: www.bullcityhq.org

IN THE NEWS

One of Durham's most promising indie-rock acts Luego has been touring the Southeast since May and will be continuing its 65-plus shows this summer until the end of August. The band has also been in the studio recording its next full-length album to be released later this year.

www.myspace.com/

luego

Local rapper and producer Edgar Allen Floe has been recording songs for his latest release The Streetwise LP for the past few months. The record will probably be put out under his own label MCEO Records later on this year. Production for the album is set to include fellow Justus League members 9th Wonder, Khrysis and Blunt.

www.myspace.com/

eafloe

Durham's experimental-rock group The Physics of Meaning has been performing throughout much of the southern states promoting Snake Charmer and Destiny at the Stroke of Midnight, its latest album out on Bu Hanan records.

www.thephysicsof

meaning.com

Located in the Moore Square Art District of downtown Raleigh, The Pour House Music Hall is hosting various gigs this month like Dangermuffin, Mic Harrison & The High Score and A Rooster for the Masses.

www.the-pour-house.com

Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc., the organization that works with the forgotten heroes and pioneers of southern musical traditions, is currently looking for volunteers to help fulfill its mission of preserving American music for future generations.

www.musicmaker.org

Musician, songwriter, and the voice of Early Cuyler on Adult Swim's Squidbillies, Unknown Hinson will be performing with The Bo Stevens at The Berkeley Cafe in Raleigh on July 18.

www.berkelycafe.net

The MarVell Event Center is hosting a lot of local bands this month including The Villains, The Scott Waite Debacle and Anathema Device.

www.myspace.com/

marvelleventcenter

Central Carolina Songwriters Association (CCSA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1997 focusing on assisting songwriters, performers, and producers in achieving their highest potential through peer evaluations and group activities. Meetings are held on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The next one is on August 5.

www.ccsa-raleigh.com

Recording and music production studio Catalyst Recording, based out of Charlotte, N.C., was recently on the airwaves. Catalyst owner, producer and engineer Rob Tavaglione was a guest on WFAE/90.7 FM's "Charlotte Talks." Tavaglione and Catalyst Recording are currently working with several artists on their projects such as Black Lagoon, Jeff Powers and Final Curse.

www.catalyst

recording.com